Staying cool in Dubai

Dubai can get hot—really hot—with summertime high temperatures that sound more reasonable in a recipe for cookies than a weather forecast. But all that heat shouldn’t put a damper on your itinerary. There are plenty of things to do in Dubai that offer refreshing reprieves from the desert sun. Dive into adrenaline-pumping flyboarding experiences on the Persian Gulf, don a snorkel in an indoor aquarium to come face to face with reef sharks, or find winter in the unlikeliest of places as you bundle up to go snow skiing or ice skating in a massive mall.

Water Parks

Water parks are a classic diversion from the heat and Dubai’s wet-and-wild attractions are some of the best. At Atlantis the Palm’s Aquaventure Waterpark, test your courage on towering water slides, take a relaxing jaunt down a lazy river, or spend some time indoors and air-conditioned, surrounded by sharks at the Lost Chambers Aquarium.

For even more aquatic activities, throw on your swimsuit and head to Wild Wadi Waterpark, where you can zip around on water roller coasters, blast your friends with water cannons, or bob around between sets in the wave pool. With over 30 rides and attractions, there’s no end to the ways you can cool off.

Flyboarding

When it’s hot out, nothing beats a cool dip in the ocean, especially if that dip is powered by a jet ski’s engine. Team up with the pros at Dreamdays and strap onto a flyboard to blast off over the waters of the Persian Gulf. Using high-speed jets of water to propel you, learn to do daring tricks, flips, and corkscrew spins between refreshing dives into teal waters off Dubai’s sandy shores.

Winter Wonderland

Wipe off the sunscreen and bundle up before making your way to Ski Dubai to do just that. When you arrive, strap into a snowboard or a pair of skis and hop on the chairlift of the world’s largest indoor snow park. Massive snow machines ensure conditions are always perfect, and helpful staff are on hand to help you get fitted for pants and jackets to keep you warm if you didn’t pack for winter.

After you get down carving up the slopes, consider continuing your winter adventure just a few steps away at The Dubai Mall’s Olympic-sized ice skating rink. Grab a pair of skates from Alpha Tours and work on your best spins, practice your lutz jumps, or just focus on soaking up the cool atmosphere as you safely work your way around the wall.

Indoor Skydiving

If the fan in your hotel room isn’t doing the trick, head to the Dubai Mall and meet the pros at iFly Dubai for a windy experience guaranteed to cool you off. Climb into a colorful one-piece skydiving outfit, strap on a helmet and make your way into a chamber fitted with two 800-horsepower fans capable of simulating freefall so you can experience skydiving without the hassle of risking your life. Let experienced indoor skydiving pros help you find your balance, and try out a few tricks like flips and spins if you’re feeling extra adventurous.

Cage Snorkeling

Head underwater for a snorkeling excursion chock full of marine creatures with the help of Dreamdays. Get set up with a snorkel and wetsuit at the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo and then climb into a cage with wide viewing windows that let you get up-close looks at giant grouper and rays while keeping you safely separated from massive rays and toothy grey reef sharks.

What’s your favorite way to keep cool in Dubai?