Blue Anchor Marine Charters

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about our services.

What boats do you have in the fleet?

Three vessels berthed at Dubai Marina: a 42ft flybridge cruiser for up to 12 guests, a 33ft sport cruiser for up to 8, and a 55ft luxury yacht for up to 20. All three come with a licensed skipper as standard. Self-drive is available on the 33ft only, and requires a valid boat licence.

How much does a charter cost?

The 33ft sport cruiser is AED 750 per hour, the 42ft flybridge is AED 1,100 per hour and the 55ft yacht is AED 1,900 per hour, all inclusive of skipper, fuel and soft drinks. Minimum booking is two hours, and rates rise by roughly 15% on Fridays, Saturdays and public holidays. Longer half-day and full-day packages are quoted at a discount.

Do I need a licence to rent a boat?

Not for a skippered charter — our captain handles everything and you just enjoy the trip. For self-drive on the 33ft you need a UAE recreational boat licence or an accepted international equivalent such as an ICC or RYA Day Skipper, plus a passport copy. We check the licence at the marina before departure, so please bring the original.

What is included and what should I bring?

Every charter includes fuel, the skipper, life jackets for adults and children, ice, chilled water and soft drinks, and a Bluetooth sound system. Bring towels, sunscreen, swimwear and any food you want on board — outside catering is welcome. Glass bottles and shisha are not permitted on the vessels.

Is there a security deposit?

Skippered charters carry no deposit. Self-drive on the 33ft requires a refundable AED 2,000 deposit held on a card, released within three working days of return once the boat has been checked for damage and the fuel level confirmed. Damage beyond normal wear is charged at cost against the deposit.

Where do we meet and is there parking?

We board at Pontoon 4, Dubai Marina Yacht Club, next to Pier 7. Please arrive 20 minutes before your slot so we can complete boarding on time — the departure hour starts at your booked time, not at boarding. Paid parking is available in the Pier 7 basement at AED 10 per hour, and there is free street parking on Al Marsa Street after 8:00pm.

Can you cater a birthday or a proposal?

Yes, and roughly a third of our bookings are celebrations. We arrange flower arrangements from AED 350, a decorated deck setup from AED 500, and catering from an approved marina caterer at AED 120 to AED 280 per head. Tell me the occasion, the date and the headcount in chat and I will put a quote together.

What happens if the weather is bad?

If the Coast Guard restricts small-craft movement or the marina master closes the channel, we cancel and you get a full refund or a free reschedule, your choice. We make that call about three hours before departure and message you directly. Wind and choppy seas are common between December and February, so we recommend a morning slot in those months.

What is the cancellation policy?

Cancel more than 48 hours before departure and the deposit is refunded in full. Between 48 and 24 hours we retain 50%, and inside 24 hours the booking is non-refundable, though we will always try to move you to another date instead. Late arrivals do not extend the charter because the following booking is usually back-to-back.