A Guide To Skydiving In Dubai - Updated 2024

Outdoor and indoor skydiving (from USD 62.89)

Skydiving may seem like a simple enough concept, however, there are still a few options when deciding what type of skydiving to do. With both indoor and outdoor skydiving, it really depends on how extreme you want to go. Both indoor and outdoor skydiving are guided by the care of friendly professionals who are there to ensure the optimum, and safest, experience. Outdoor skydiving is considered “true” skydiving by professionals, as it involves jumping out of a plane solo (for licensed jumpers only), or tandem with an instructor. The plane takes about 20 minutes to ascend before reaching the altitude for drop-point. Then the skydiving drops descend the diver at a whopping 120 miles (193 km) per hour! As in any type of skydiving, all security checks are made and in place before making the jump.

Indoor skydiving, however, is a little tamer (though still not for the faint-of-heart!). A simulator produces the feeling of free-falling in a wind tunnel. No natural variables are at hand, so for those just looking to get started in skydiving, this is a great place to start. Younger jumpers (older children and teenagers) can also enjoy the excitement, whereas outdoor skydiving has greater limitations. Skydive Dubai also offers the opportunity to fly in a Gyrocopter, a two-seat plane flown by a licensed pilot; an additional way to see the sights of Dubai for those who are brave but still working up their courage to skydive.

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Outdoor skydiving locations

Where do you head if you’re feeling brave enough to skydive outdoors? Dubai isn’t just home to extravagant shopping malls and high-end hotels. Skydive Dubai holds the leading name in skydiving in Dubai with two locations, Desert Campus and The Palm. The height of Skydive Dubai drop sites reach 13,000 ft/4000 m, which is enough to get anyone’s heart pumping! Desert Campus is a wonderful spot to start for those who have never jumped before, as it has a skydiving school and welcomes new jumpers. For those seeking to one day become professional-level skydivers, it is possible to refine the art of skydiving through courses offered at Desert Campus. Set outside of the city, Desert Campus will have you flying high above desert dunes within view of Dubai.

The Palm Jumeirah skydiving location, on the other hand, is considered the more extravagant of the two. Descending over the Palm Jumeirah Island (Dubai’s artificial archipelago) and the city of Dubai, a skydive at The Palm is without doubt, memorable. Additionally, The Palm is the only Dubai location to now offer tandem jumps for children ages 12 and older. Costs for the two locations vary, with a jump at Desert Campus priced at around 462 USD (AED 1699), and The Palm at 598.66 USD (AED 2199). The winter months, from October to April, are the best months to skydive in Dubai, with mornings (around 10am) being least crowded. A morning start will also help to ensure that you’re out of the high sun when the day is the hottest.

Requirements for jumpers

The best way to set yourself up for success (and avoid disappointment) when headed out for a jump is to first know the requirements. Jumpers must be 18 and older with a form of ID on hand. Jumpers between the ages of 12-17 are allowed to jump as long as they have signed consent and an accompanying parent on the day of the jump. For safety reasons, there are weight and BMI (body mass index) requirements for both men and women. The weight limit for women is 90 kgs (198 lbs), with a BMI of 27.5 or less. The weight limit for men is 100 kgs (220.5 lbs), with a maximum BMI of 30. Pregnant women are not allowed to jump, and drinking alcohol before jumping is prohibited. Those with preexisting medical conditions such as seizures or high blood pressure must obtain a written note from a doctor stating that the individual is okay to jump. Remember to dress in casual, not-too-loose athletic clothes that will be comfortable enough for the jump, including sports shoes. Additionally, no short sleeves are allowed, so be sure to wear long sleeves.

All jumpers who have not gone through the necessary coursework should plan on jumping tandem with the instructor (for outdoor jumps). For those seeking to jump solo, coursework is a combination of groundwork and eight jumps before one can skydive on their own. As stated, this training can be pursued at Skydive Dubai’s Desert Campus. More information on this training can be found on Skydive Dubai’s website

Skydiving certifications

Skydiving is one of the best things to do alone if you have enough knowledge and experience under your belt. Many skydive amenities providers in Dubai — or anywhere around the world, really — require those who want to solo dive to have a certification or license. For skydiving, the most universal certification to get is the USPA Licenses. To get it, you need to have a certain level of experience and you need to finish specific courses.

There are four USPA license proficiency levels available: levels A, B, C, and D, with D being the highest level of proficiency out of the four. To begin your training towards getting a license, you first need to finish Accelerated Freefall courses. After finishing that course, you can move on to skydive solo and work your way towards a USPA A license. On top of coursework and exams, you need to complete a total of 25 jumps to be eligible for a USPA A certification. For USPA B, you need to have finished 50 jumps, 200 for level C, and 500 jumps for level D. Once you’ve attained a USPA D license, you can choose to do further coursework to become a guide for skydiving in Dubai.

What to expect when skydiving

If you’re a first-time skydiver, then you probably have a lot of questions, with the duration of the experience being one of them. How long will the dive last? How long is the actual free fall? In general, you can expect to spend a total of three hours on an outdoor dive, with some accommodations depending on the day’s weather. Taking the plane up (approximately 20 minutes), going over safety and instructions, and then getting into the dive are all steps along with a successful jump. Believe it or not, free-fall time is a total of a short 60 seconds (just enough time to say your prayers before the parachute kicks out). Then once the parachute is released, on average you will glide for around five minutes, soaking in the incredible experience you are having! All in all, the prep work is a lot of what goes into the experience, but the time spent in the air is what cannot be forgotten.

Indoor skydiving clearly does not have the same preparation needed that outdoor diving does, hence the time frame is shorter. On average, indoor dives last for about one-and-a-half hours. First, the safety course takes about 20 to 30 minutes, then plan on about 10 minutes to get into gear. Finally, the jump itself will take about an hour of pure fun.

Cost to skydive in Dubai

Skydiving is an expensive sport, even more so if you’re aiming for advanced certification. Expect to shell out a bit of money for the experience if you want to try it out or learn more about it while in Dubai.

Tandem jumps facilitated by the city’s top skydiving company, Skydive Dubai, costs between 409 USD to 517 USD (1,499 to 1,899 AED), depending n the location. You also need to pay an additional 14 USD (50 AED) for insurance. If you want documentation of your tandem skydive in Dubai, you can pay an additional 22 USD to 82 USD (100 AED to 300 AED), depending on whether you want photos, videos or both.

For those who want to learn how to Skydive in Dubai, course packages are available. Skydive Dubai’s price for the starting Accelerated Freefall course package is worth a total of 2,722 USD (10,000 AED). If you want to continue to get a USPA A license, you may have to shell out around 2,369 USD (8,700 AED) on top of the AFF course.

Luckily, once you’ve gotten your license, things get better. Skydiving for experienced jumpers are a bit lighter on the pocket. A single jump ticket costs around 33 USD (120 AED). However, equipment rentals can total to an additional 42 USD (155 AED).

How to make reservations (from USD 707.7)

It is always best to make reservations in advance when skydiving in Dubai. This will help to ensure that the skydiving team is ready to welcome you for the best experience possible. It’s easy to make a reservation with companies like Get Your Guide, who ensure that all your needs are taken care of when skydiving, including memorable photos and a professionally edited video. There, you can also find skydive offers in Dubai that are worth your money. You can book as early as you’re figuring out where to stay during your Dubai vacation. Make sure to double-check the reservation as some companies offer hotel pick up and drop off, whereas others expect you to get to the jump site on your own. Additionally, reservations can be made directly through Skydive Dubai, online. Family members and friends are also invited to view the jump from the ground below, or to wait at the cafe at both Desert Jump and The Palm where they can purchase snacks and drinks.

It is possible to find female professional jumpers to tandem with (for those who prefer jumping with someone of the same gender), however, it is best to call ahead to make this request. Additionally, women dressed in hijab can still wear hijab when jumping, however, they are asked to change into the scarf that Skydive Dubai provides.

For those who plan on making their jump over Dubai extra special (say a wedding proposal at 120 miles per hour free fall), be sure to contact Skydive Dubai ahead of time. They are more than happy to help create the experience of your dreams; only ask for some forward planning time to help do so.

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Take the leap with skydiving in Dubai

Dubai truly has created a name for itself in the skydiving world, with a reputation of excellence in instruction and beautiful scenery. The thrill of overlooking Dubai’s impressive architectural feats is yet another factor that sets skydiving in Dubai apart. With a variety of skydiving options for divers of all ages, including indoor and outdoor, Dubai offers the chance for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. With some proper planning ahead of your adventure, you are sure to find the rush of adrenaline you seek in this gem of the gulf region.