Skydiving in Dubai is one of the most famous adrenaline activities in the Middle East, and the main reason is the view: you jump from about 13,000 feet over Palm Jumeirah, with the Gulf, Dubai Marina and the Burj Al Arab spread out below. Almost all tourists make a tandem jump, which means you are strapped to a licensed instructor who handles the parachute, so no experience is needed. This guide explains the two drop zones, current prices, who is eligible, what happens on the day, how to prepare and what to do if the weather cancels your slot.
Is Skydiving in Dubai Worth It?
Yes, if you are comfortable with heights and meet the weight and age rules, and the Palm Drop Zone is the version most visitors choose. It is expensive and takes much of a morning once you include the briefing and waiting, but it is also one of the few activities in Dubai that you cannot easily replace. If you are worried about the cost or the weight limits, iFly-style indoor skydiving is a cheaper alternative with no height.
Skydiving in Dubai at a Glance
- Operator: Skydive Dubai, which runs both the Palm Drop Zone and the Desert Campus
- Jump height: up to about 13,000 feet
- Free fall: about 60 seconds at roughly 190 to 200 km/h
- Parachute flight: about 5 to 7 minutes
- Whole experience: about 3 to 4 hours, including check-in, briefing and waiting
- Tandem price: roughly AED 1,900 to 2,800 depending on the drop zone and the media package
- Minimum age: 18
- Weight limits: women up to 90 kg with a BMI of 27.5 or less, and men up to 100 kg with a BMI of 30 or less
Palm Drop Zone vs Desert Campus
The Palm Drop Zone
The Palm Drop Zone is on Al Seyahi Street near Dubai Marina, and it is the best-known skydive in Dubai. After a short flight you jump over Palm Jumeirah, the coast, the Marina skyline and the Burj Al Arab, which is why it is the favourite choice for first-time visitors. It usually operates daily from around 10 am until about sunset, with shorter or earlier hours in the hot summer months, and it can be busy, so book ahead. See our guide to the Palm Islands for what you will see from above.
The Desert Campus
The Desert Campus is on the Dubai to Al Ain road (E66), near Margham, about 45 minutes from the city centre. You land among sand dunes rather than over the city, so the views are quieter and more open. It is usually cheaper than the Palm Drop Zone and also hosts training for people learning to skydive. The campus has been closed on Mondays, and recent guides say it has been temporarily closed for some tandem dates, so check availability before you plan around it.
Which should you choose?
- For the classic Dubai view: Palm Drop Zone
- For a lower price and open dune scenery: Desert Campus, when it is open
- For learning to skydive properly: the Desert Campus’s courses
How Much Does Skydiving in Dubai Cost?
Prices change by season and by seller, and the operator’s own website is the best reference. Recent listings show:
- Palm Drop Zone tandem: from about AED 2,199 without photos and video, and about AED 2,499 to 2,749 with a standard photo and video package
- Desert Campus tandem: from about AED 1,899 without media and about AED 2,199 with it
- Extras: a priority slot at the Palm can add around AED 700, and premium video with an external cameraman costs more
- Resellers: hotel desks and ticket sites often add a margin, and some include transfers and food
Learn-to-skydive courses are priced much higher than a single tandem jump, so ask the operator for current fees if you want to train towards a licence.
Who Can Skydive in Dubai? Age, Weight and Health Rules
- Age: you must be at least 18 and carry a valid passport or Emirates ID.
- Weight: women up to 90 kg with a BMI of 27.5 or less, and men up to 100 kg with a BMI of 30 or less. You are weighed at check-in in your clothes and shoes, and there is no minimum weight for a tandem.
- Health: you need to be in good general health, and the jump is not suitable during pregnancy or if you have heart, back or other relevant conditions. You will complete a medical declaration.
- Scuba diving: do not dive in the 24 hours before the jump.
- Alcohol and drugs: you cannot take part if you arrive under the influence.
If you do not meet the rules on the day, you will normally not get a refund, so check the requirements before you book.
What Happens on the Day
- Arrive early: check in about 15 to 30 minutes before your slot, with ID that matches the name on your booking.
- Briefing: staff weigh you, you sign a waiver and a medical declaration, and an instructor explains your body position and safety steps.
- Kit up: you put on a jumpsuit, harness and goggles, and your tandem instructor attaches himself or herself to you.
- The flight: the plane climbs for around 15 to 20 minutes to the jump height.
- Free fall: you leave the aircraft and fall for roughly a minute at around 190 to 200 km/h.
- Canopy ride: the instructor opens the parachute, and you glide for 5 to 7 minutes before landing near the drop zone.
- Video and photos: if you bought a media package, your footage is usually ready shortly after landing.
The parachute systems are equipped with automatic activation devices as a backup, and the operator works under international skydiving standards. Skydiving is never risk-free, but tandem jumps with licensed instructors are widely considered safe.
Best Time to Skydive in Dubai
- Best season: October to April, when the air is clear and the weather is mild
- Best time of day: morning, when visibility is best and the heat is lower
- Summer: possible but hot, and the Palm Drop Zone often shifts to shorter or earlier hours
- Weather: wind, dust, haze and low cloud can delay or cancel jumps, so keep your schedule flexible
See our Dubai weather guide for month-by-month conditions.
How to Plan Your Skydive
If you have a short trip
Book the Palm Drop Zone for the first morning of your visit, so that if the weather delays you, you have another day to reschedule.
If you want to combine it with other plans
Skydive in the morning, then relax on the beach at Jumeirah Beach or visit Dubai Marina in the afternoon. Our guide to Dubai Marina has ideas.
If you are travelling with a group
Book together and ask for adjacent slots, and check in advance whether friends and family can watch from the ground.
What to Wear and Bring
- Comfortable, sporty clothing such as a T-shirt and shorts or leggings that cover your thighs
- Closed shoes with good grip, not sandals, heels or flip-flops
- Hair tied back, and no loose jewellery
- Your passport or Emirates ID, and your booking confirmation
- Sunscreen, water and a light snack, since the day can include waiting
Practical Tips
- Book online ahead, particularly in winter and at weekends, and make sure the name matches your passport exactly.
- Check the cancellation and rescheduling policy before you pay, because weather delays are common.
- Eat a light meal beforehand. A very full or empty stomach can make the jump uncomfortable.
- If you prefer a female instructor, tell the operator when you book.
- Check whether photos and video are included, because extra media can add several hundred dirhams.
- Staying nearby saves time. See our guide to the luxury hotels in Dubai for options around the Palm and Marina.
Skydiving in Dubai: Frequently Asked Questions
How much is skydiving in Dubai?
A tandem jump costs roughly AED 1,900 to 2,800, depending on the drop zone and the media package.
What is the age limit for skydiving in Dubai?
You must be 18 or over.
What is the weight limit for skydiving in Dubai?
Women can weigh up to 90 kg with a BMI of 27.5 or less, and men up to 100 kg with a BMI of 30 or less.
How long is the free fall?
About 60 seconds, followed by a parachute flight of around 5 to 7 minutes.
Is skydiving in Dubai safe?
Tandem jumps with licensed instructors and automatic backup devices are widely considered safe, although every skydive carries some risk.
Can you skydive over the Palm in Dubai?
Yes. The Palm Drop Zone is the only place where you jump over Palm Jumeirah.
Can you skydive without experience?
Yes, as a tandem jump with an instructor who controls the parachute. No previous experience is needed.
What happens if the weather is bad?
The jump is delayed or rescheduled, and many bookings allow you to change the date.
Final Thoughts
A skydive over the Palm is one of the most memorable things you can do in Dubai, and it is easier than most people expect as long as you meet the rules. Book early in your trip, keep a spare day for weather and make sure you check the weight, age and health requirements first. For more ideas on what to do in the city, read our list of the tourist attractions in Dubai.
