Kayaking is one of the most exciting water sports activities in Dubai. And you can find the best location for this particular activity in Hatta, a small town located in the Hajar Mountains. Hatta is a paradise for nature lovers and water sports enthusiasts who want to leave the busy city of Dubai for a while.
If you plan to visit this small paradise and book your first Hatta Kayak adventure, here’s a comprehensive guide to help you plan your trip.
Things to Know Before Your First Hatta Kayak Trip
Hatta is relatively far from the city center of Dubai, so you need to carefully plan your visit and first Hatta Kayak trip. Before you book your accommodation and activities, here’s everything you need to know about Hatta and its kayaking business.
What Does Hatta Offer to Tourists
Hatta has a complicated yet strategic location within the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is a town sitting at the foothills of the Hajar Mountains, located south-east of Dubai’s main territory, and bordering several countries and states in the UAE, such as Oman, Ras al-Khaimah, and Ajman.
As a unique and natural body of land surrounded by the Hajar Mountains, Hatta is covered with natural mountain peaks and aquatic resources—perfect for hiking, swimming, camping, and kayaking.
Who Can Visit Hatta and Ride a Kayak?
Tourists and locals, no matter what age, can visit and stay at Hatta. Kayaking in Hatta, however, comes with participation restrictions referring to age and health problems.
Hatta Kayak Age Restrictions
Since paddling is required in kayaking, children below 16 years of age cannot ride single kayaks. Children below three years old are not allowed to ride at all. Allowed minors can join participating adults on group or tandem rides. Parents and guardians are advised to encourage children and minors to sit properly and follow the kayak’s flow during the activity.
Hatta Kayak Health Restrictions
Kayaking is a mild exercise for people who will take the responsibility to paddle. But it is nothing but a fun and enjoyable activity for other passengers on the ride. As such, there are no serious health restrictions. Pregnant women in their early stages of pregnancy can participate, while people of determination can request Hatta Kayak rentals with special boats and seats.
Does Kayaking in Hatta Requires Skills and Experience?
The actual act of kayaking—which involves paddling, requires skills. If you’re a tourist and a first-timer, don’t worry, you only need to follow basic paddling skills and safety rules.
To demonstrate basic kayaking skills, learn to utilize various torso rotations for all your strokes. When paddling, capitalize on your entire upper body, not just the muscles on your arms. For example, when your right arm moves forward, your right shoulder should make the stroke, and your whole upper body should move to the left. In this way, you’ll put more power into your strokes without putting excessive pressure on your arms.
For safety rules, follow all the tips and instructions of your Hatta Kayak operators. This set of instructions may include wearing your life vests and hatches at all times, dressing for Hatta weather, paddling in designated water zones, and following the recommended weight capacity per boat. You might need to wear a helmet if the water is in extreme condition. First-timers are only recommended to kayak in calm, shallow waters.
Is Hatta Kayak Safe and Regulated?
Hatta is a year-round destination loved by many residents in Dubai, so it’s equally appealing to tourists. It is, therefore, safe for all types of visitors—even solo travelers. Registered hotels and accommodation in Hatta provide 24-hour security; all tourist activities, such as kayaking, horseback riding, and hiking, are also licensed and regulated by local authorities.
COVID-19 Restrictions
The town of Hatta and all the travel and tourism companies operating there follow special health and safety measures to combat COVID-19. Business operators are required by the World Health Organization (WHO) and local authorities to ensure social distancing among tourists and residents, sanitize public locations, conduct temperature checks for staff and guests, and promote contactless payments. Kayak operators, specifically, may provide new working hours based on local curfews and protocols.
Guests, too, are required to follow individual safety protocols. Guests should wear face masks in publicly accessible areas, avoid physical contact among other guests and staff, and submit basic personal information for contact tracing purposes.
All these COVID-19 protocols are still subject to change daily, weekly, or monthly. The local and the national government could release amended safety protocols in the future as the pandemic progresses and new solutions arise.
When is the Best Time to Go Kayaking in Hatta?
Hatta Kayak activities are open daily. You can go kayaking on the mountainside at any time you want. However, considering the Hatta weather, it is recommended to avoid the peak summer and winter months. Choose to go kayaking between September to October, the spring months, or from February to March, the autumn months.
How Long Should You Stay in Hatta, Dubai?
Hatta, Dubai is only 140 km2 big with 12,200 local residents. Given this, the town isn’t a huge tourist destination compared to other areas in the UAE. You can go Kayaking in Hatta and explore the entire town in one to two days. A single kayaking trip’s average duration ranges from 25 minutes to an hour.
Where Should I Stay in Hatta?
If you want to stay overnight or for a few days in Hatta to experience other tourist activities besides Hatta Kayak, book your stay at hotels and Airbnbs near Hatta Water Dam, Hatta Heritage Village, Hatta Dome Park, and other tourist landmarks.
Here are the best hotels and camping locations in Hatta:
Ja Hatta Fort Hotel
Regarded as the world’s leading adventure hotel
The only mountain resort in Dubai, offering accommodation, dining options, and recreational activities
Booking rates start at 575 AED (156.54 USD), breakfast included
Located at Hatta Oman Road Hatta Roundabout 9277, Dubai, UAE
Hatta Camping
Outdoor accommodation with own caravan or tent
129 AED 35.12 (USD) to 199 (54.18 USD) for tent camping, 299 AED (81.40 USD) to 399 (108.63 USD) for caravan camping
Located at the camping site near Hatta Wadi Hub
Hatta Dome Park
Offers 15 40-sqm, dome-shaped tents with panoramic windows, terrace, and amenities
Starts at 999 AED (271.98 USD) per night
Located at Hatta Wadi Hub, off the Dubai-Hatta Road
Sedr Trailers Resort
First trailer hotel in Dubai, offering direct access to Hatta Kayak onsite
Starts at 716 AED (194.93 USD), local taxes and other amenities not included
Located along the banks of Hatta Water Dam
Damani Lodges Resort
Lodges standing in the Hatta Mountains
Rates range from 700 (190.57 USD) to 1000 AED (272.25 USD)
Located within the region of Hatta Rock Pools
Preparations and Booking Procedures
You’re now acquainted with the wonderful town of Hatta and its kayaking business. Let’s now figure out the preparations and booking procedures involved in traveling to Hatta and booking your first Hatta Kayak activity.
How to Get to Hatta from Dubai
The travel time from Dubai to Hatta is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, covering 125 kilometers. Travelers with private or rented vehicles can reach Hatta through Sharjah-Kalba Rd/E102 or S116.
If you want to commute, city buses can directly take you to Hatta and its surrounding areas. Take bus E16 and alight at Hatta, Bus Station – 01. The travel time, of course, is much longer than a private ride. It would take you 3 hours to 3 hours and 30 minutes to reach Hatta from Dubai. The fare ranges from 13 (3.54 USD) to 15 AED (4.08 USD).
What are the Things Guests Should Prepare?
Pack a suitcase or backpack filled with all the things you need for your kayaking trip and your overall Hatta visit. Here are some of the essentials and valuable items you shouldn’t forget.
Clothing
Bring extra clothing that fits the Hatta weather and the UAE’s general rule for public dressing. For your Hatta Kayak trip, bring a wetsuit or drysuit—depending on the water temperature on your visit. Always consider the water temperature, not the air temperature, when planning your kayaking trip. Dress in layers, and aim to pack clothing made of abrasion-resistant fabrics. Avoid cotton, zippers, and other rough materials.
Food and Drinks
You can bring meals and snacks if you want to go camping before or after your kayaking trip. Alternatively, you can dine at the popular camping sites and restaurants in Hatta. Locals recommend Al Hajarain, Al Yamm Café, Bab Alsham, Tanoor Restaurant, and Hatta Wild Café.
Documents
If you’re a Dubai resident or an international tourist, don’t forget to bring your proof of identification or passport. You might need to present them at checkpoints or your booked accommodation.
Essentials
Don’t forget all your sea essentials, sunscreen, sunglasses, and cover-ups. You can put them all, together with your personal devices, in a water-resistant floating bag. Check the availability of towels at your campsite or hotel to know if you still need to bring one.
Is Pre-Booking Necessary?
Hatta is a popular tourist destination in Dubai. International tourists and Dubai residents are encouraged to pre-book or reserve a Hatta Kayak booking. If you also plan to stay, book your hotels or camping reservations days before your visit.
Who Offers the Best Hatta Kayak Activity?
Hatta Kayak is the universally recognized company offering kayaking in Hatta, but you can book tickets through third-party travel and tour operators to score deals or book a whole-day Hatta, Dubai itinerary. Here’s what Hatta Kayak offers.
Timing and Location
Hatta Kayak conducts operations at the vast lake in the Hatta Water Dam and its surrounding mountains. The location offers a clear view of the green-blue water in the artificial lake and the natural wonders of the Hajar Mountains.
The tour company is open daily from 07:00 AM to 09:00 PM, except during Ramadan. Depending on the weather and water conditions, Hatta Kayak also offers night rides with on-site security and safety boats.
Boat Rental Prices
Hatta Kayak offers kayak rental boats in various sizes and at various prices for single and group riders. Here’s the complete list of packages they offer:
Single Kayak – 60 AED (16.33 USD), unlimited time, admits 16+ riders
Double Kayak – 120 AED (32.67 USD), unlimited time, two adults and one child below four years old
Single Water Bike – 60 AED (16.33 USD), unlimited time, admits 16+ riders below 75 kg.
Double Water Bike – 120 AED (32.67 USD), unlimited time, two riders below 75 kg. each
Triple Water Bike – 180 AED (49 USD), unlimited time, three riders below 75 kg. each
Yellow Boat – 150 AED (40.84 USD), 1-hour ride, three adults and one child below ten years old
Donut Boat – 300 AED (81.67 USD), 1-hour ride, four adults and two children below ten years old
Tour Boat – 600 AED (163.35 USD), 25-minute ride, maximum of 11 passengers with one designated driver
VIP Boat – 950 AED (258.64 USD), 25-minute ride, maximum of 25 passengers with one designated driver
Safety jackets, on-site lockers, and safety boats are already included in the package. Meals, washroom facilities, and hotel transfers are not included. You can use the available washroom facilities in your accommodation or campsite.
Booking Procedures and Requirements
You can book a ride and inquire at Hatta Kayak’s official website or social media channels on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. If you have a local number, you can also reach out to them at +971566162111.
Alternative Bookings
If you want to score deals on group bookings or during special holidays, you can book boating rentals from Hatta Kayak’s partner operators. Here are some travel and tour companies offering Hatta Kayak boat rental packages:
Hatta is a small town in the UAE. Even though it stands as an extension of Dubai, it’s still far from the city. We recommend getting to know Hatta as thoroughly as possible before visiting the town and booking your first Hatta Kayak adventure.
During the actual activity, only bring what you actually need and follow all safety instructions mentioned by the operator. Hatta Water Dam is a vast body of water, so it’s best to be careful if it’s your first time kayaking in the area.
What to Do After Kayaking in Hatta?
Kayaking is not the only enjoyable activity you can do in Hatta. You can also try other physical activities, such as mountain biking and hiking. Hatta offers one of the best hiking trails in Dubai. If you want to tour the town at the foot of the Hajar Mountains, go to Hatta’s heritage village, bee garden, hill park, or rock pools.
