Whether you are chartering a yacht or sailing with your own crew, the Arabian Gulf is an excellent place to cruise if you want to get involved in different cultures and see fantastic sights, both natural and man-made. 

The Arabian Gulf is sometimes referred to as the Persian Gulf, and it is a serene and beautiful piece of the Indian Ocean that is bordered by Iran, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, and to the northwest Kuwait, and Iraq. 

The crystal-clear seas rarely get deeper than 300 feet, and the Gulf is teeming with rich marine life, including stunning corals, fish, and playful dolphins. 

Aside from the stunning looks of the location, the Arabian Gulf supports the commercial fishing industries of Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain – and the area contains two-thirds of the world’s oil reserves and a third of the natural gas reserves. 

Sailing around the Gulf will transport you from centuries-old culture to the ultra-modern architecture, surrounded by soaring cliffs, empty deserts, sandy beaches, and expansive wildlife. 

Where To Stop on Your Sailing Journey in the Arabian Gulf

Cruising around the Arabian Gulf gives you so many opportunities to stop and admire your surroundings, with something a bit different everywhere you go. One trip might not be enough to see it all.

Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is a cultural mix of traditional Muslim culture and modern architecture and a great place to berth if you are looking to learn about the UAE. 

Why not visit the most photographed monument in Dubai – the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Beautiful, landscaped gardens and pristine pools surround the architectural styles of different Muslim civilizations, and visitors are allowed in at certain times to see the stunning prayer room that can hold 40,000 and marvel at the world’s largest handmade carpet and chandelier. 

Culture vultures will want to visit the Louvre Abu Dhabi, and for those that want to get closer to nature, Sir Bani Yas Island is a wildlife reserve where you can take a safari trip to see hyenas, giraffes, onyx, gazelles, and cheetahs in their natural habitat, or dive the clear waters.

Dubai

The center of the retail world, Dubai is the place to go if shopping is calling. With a tax-free status and malls bigger than you can imagine, Dubai is the place to be for designer purchases. One of the most visited cities in the world, Dubai has soaring skyscrapers, man-made islands, and a booming nightlife set around the city. 

For something a bit more cultural, stop at the Dubai Miracle Garden, which for half of the year is a paradise containing 150 million flowers arranged into stunning arches and patterns. Why not visit the camel races? Gambling might be forbidden, but the camel races are a large part of the traditional culture. 

Doha

If your cruise around the Arabian Gulf is taking place in late November or early December, Doha has to be on your destination list so you can cruise right up to the city and catch some spectacular soccer as Qatar is hosting the World Cup. Make sure you look at the world cup winner odds online before you arrive, as gambling is not part of the Qatari culture. 

If that isn’t your scene, then Doha has a lot more to offer; why not visit the Souq Wakif, which is known as the social heart of the city. Here you will find authentic and beautifully restored buildings as well as markets selling things like traditional Qatari dress, fabrics, spices, perfumes, and food. 

For a deep dive into the heritage and history of Qatar, Doha is the home of the National Museum of Qatar and the Museum of Islamic Art – where you’ll find out all you need to know about Muslim history, culture, and art. 

The opportunity for an afternoon lounging on the beach is always calling, and at the Talia Mare Beach Club, you’ll sip mocktails and smoke a shisha in the chilled atmosphere that is more like Ibiza’s Café Mambo than a beach in Qatar.

Oman

This is an underrated hidden gem of a place to visit, with deserts, oases, miles of sandy coastlines, and rugged mountain ranges. 

Take a shot at ‘dune bashing’ as you race around the desert in an SUV, or lounge on one of the beaches taking in the beautiful surroundings. 

For those who like a bit more of an active day, you can hike the Balcony Walk. This three-hour journey will take you up the Jebel Shams, the largest mountain in Oman, to the perfect vantage spot to look at the Wadi Ghulis, which is often compared to the Grand Canyon. 

The UNESCO-protected Daymaniyat Islands are teeming with wildlife and provide excellent diving opportunities in the clear, warm waters. Unspoiled coral formations, unusual marine life, and playful dolphins are all there for you to see and feel much closer to.

Of course, there is so much more to see and do even in the areas that we have mentioned – so you might need more than one trip around the Arabian Gulf to see it all.