UAE National Day Yacht Cruise in Dubai: Celebrate Eid Al Etihad 2026 on the Water
Dubai Yacht Party offers private yacht cruises in Dubai for UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad) on 2 December 2026, the UAE's 55th National Day, with yachts for 15 to 150 guests from AED 599 per hour. Yachts depart from Dubai Marina and Dubai Harbour Marina 24 hours a day, and every charter includes a captain, crew, fuel, soft drinks, water and ice. Book on WhatsApp at +971 56 264 3359.
UAE National Day falls on Wednesday 2 December 2026. Dubai marks it with fireworks, parades and lights along the coast, and a private yacht party in Dubai puts your group on the water with the skyline, Palm Jumeirah and Burj Al Arab in view. This guide covers the holiday dates, the best times to sail, which yacht fits each group size, and what a National Day cruise costs with Dubai Yacht Party.
When Is UAE National Day 2026?
UAE National Day, officially called Eid Al Etihad, is on Wednesday 2 December 2026. It marks the 55th anniversary of the union of the Emirates on 2 December 1971.
The public holiday is expected on Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December 2026. In 2025, most of Dubai's National Day fireworks took place on the evening of 2 December.
Why Celebrate National Day on a Yacht?
A private yacht gives your group its own space for the evening, away from the crowds at beaches and malls. Your group chooses the music, the food and the decoration, and the crew handles the yacht.
Yachts from Dubai Marina and Dubai Harbour Marina cruise past JBR, Ain Dubai at Bluewaters, Palm Jumeirah, Atlantis The Palm and Burj Al Arab. In 2025, Dubai's National Day fireworks went off at 9pm on 2 December at The Beach JBR and Bluewaters, both along that stretch of coast.
Best Times to Sail on 2 December
Dubai Yacht Party's yachts depart 24 hours a day, so any start time can be booked. Sunset in Dubai on 2 December is at around 5:30pm. These three time slots suit different groups:
Time slot | What you see | Best for |
2pm to 5pm | Daylight cruising and swimming near the yacht | Families and daytime groups |
4:30pm to 7:30pm | Sunset at around 5:30pm and the skyline lighting up | Couples, friends and photos |
8pm to 10:30pm | The lit skyline and the fireworks, held at 9pm in 2025 | Parties and company groups |
The 2026 fireworks times and locations have not been announced yet. This guide will be updated when they are.
Which Yacht Fits Your Group?
Dubai Yacht Party's fleet carries from 15 to 150 guests. Prices are per hour and include the captain, crew, fuel, soft drinks, water and ice.
Group size | Yachts (maximum guests) | AED per hour |
Up to 25 guests | Azimut 50ft (15), Majesty 55ft (20), Hamdhan 65ft (25), House Boat (25) | 599 to 999 |
26 to 50 guests | Batman 70ft (33), Marquis 78ft (38), Da Vinci 88ft (45), Party Boat 70ft (50), Black Pearl 95ft (50), Omega 100ft superyacht (50), Majesty 101ft (50) | 999 to 3,499 |
51 to 150 guests | Yacht 90ft (65), Carmen 140ft (80), Bellavitta 100ft (100), Azimut Mazayel 135ft (110), Deemas 125ft (150) | 1,999 to 7,999 |
For example, a 3-hour cruise from 4:30pm to 7:30pm costs AED 1,797 on the Azimut 50ft for up to 15 guests, AED 2,997 on the Party Boat 70ft for up to 50 guests, and AED 13,497 on the Deemas 125ft for up to 150 guests, before add-ons. The same yachts are available all year for yacht rental in Dubai Marina.
Add-Ons for a National Day Celebration
These can be booked with the yacht at extra cost:
Decoration: ask for National Day colours of red, green, white and black
Catering and beverages, with final numbers confirmed the night before
DJ and entertainment
Photography
Water sports: jet ski from AED 500, and banana ride and donut ride from AED 650 each
Outside catering is not allowed on board, but guests may bring dry food such as pizza, sandwiches and snacks, with their own disposable plates and cutlery.
Rules to Know Before You Board
Dubai Coast Guard rules apply on every charter, and fines for breaking them are charged to the guests.
Every guest must carry original ID: tourists their passport, UAE residents their passport, Emirates ID or driving license. Missing ID can be fined up to AED 1,500 per person.
No swimming after sunset or more than three metres from the yacht, and no jumping off the yacht.
Final guest numbers must be confirmed the night before, and a yacht's capacity cannot be exceeded.
Shoes come off before boarding, and smoking inside the yacht is not allowed.
The full rules are in Dubai Yacht Party's Terms and Conditions.
National Day Celebrations for Companies
Companies planning a National Day celebration for their team can book a yacht for the days before the holiday or for 2 December itself. Dubai Yacht Party's corporate yacht charter in Dubai groups the fleet by team size, from 15 to 150 guests. For 31 December, see the New Year's Eve yacht party page.
How to Book a National Day Yacht Cruise
Send the date, start time, number of guests and any add-ons on WhatsApp at +971 56 264 3359.
Dubai Yacht Party suggests yachts that fit the group and sends a quote.
The booking is confirmed once the deposit is received and written confirmation is sent.
The night before, confirm final guest and catering numbers. On the day, board at Dubai Marina or Dubai Harbour Marina with original ID.
If your group wants both the sunset and the fireworks, book the evening of 2 December as early as possible.
UAE National Day Yacht Cruise FAQs
When is UAE National Day 2026?
UAE National Day, officially called Eid Al Etihad, is on Wednesday 2 December 2026 and marks the 55th anniversary of the union of the Emirates on 2 December 1971. The public holiday is expected on 2 and 3 December 2026.
How much does a National Day yacht cruise in Dubai cost?
Dubai Yacht Party's private yachts cost from AED 599 to AED 7,999 per hour for 15 to 150 guests. A 3-hour cruise on the Azimut 50ft for up to 15 guests comes to AED 1,797. Every charter includes a captain, crew, fuel, soft drinks, water and ice.
Can you watch the National Day fireworks from a yacht in Dubai?
In 2025, Dubai's National Day fireworks went off at 9pm on 2 December at The Beach JBR and Bluewaters, on the stretch of coast that Dubai Yacht Party's routes from Dubai Marina and Dubai Harbour pass. The 2026 fireworks times have not been announced yet, and the captain decides where the yacht can safely hold position.
What is the best time for a National Day yacht cruise?
Sunset in Dubai on 2 December is at around 5:30pm, so a cruise starting at about 4:30pm covers daylight, sunset and the skyline lighting up. Groups who also want the fireworks should plan to stay out until after 9pm, based on the 2025 timing.
Can we decorate the yacht in UAE flag colours?
Decoration can be added to any Dubai Yacht Party charter at extra cost. Ask for National Day colours of red, green, white and black when booking on WhatsApp at +971 56 264 3359.
Can guests swim on an evening National Day cruise?
No. Dubai Coast Guard rules do not allow swimming after sunset, so swimming is only possible on a daytime cruise and within three metres of the yacht. Jumping off the yacht is not allowed at any time.
To plan a National Day cruise, message Dubai Yacht Party on WhatsApp at +971 56 264 3359. The average reply time is 60 seconds.
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