When I first came to Dubai, I was of course beyond struck by how futuristic the city looked, considering I come from an underdeveloped country. Glass towers, shiny cars, and malls bigger than anything I had ever seen. But then I found myself standing by the creek where I saw small wooden boats move back and forth, carrying people across the water. That moment really hit me because this was a very sharp contrast of the modern Dubai that stunned me.

This was the Dubai that had been here long before the skyscrapers. The city was built on boats like the abras and dhows, and even today they remain an important part of daily life.

Abra water taxi docked at Dubai Creek station with modern skyline view

Abras: Dubai’s Water Taxis

The first time I got on an abra, I wasn’t alone. I had Naim with me, a local guide who has been showing visitors around Dubai Creek for years. As we stepped onto the small wooden boat, I handed over my 1 dirham coin and laughed at how cheap it was. Naim smiled and said, “This is the best bargain in Dubai. One dirham and you’re part of history.”

As the abra pushed off from the dock, the wooden frame creaked a little and the water rippled beneath us. I could smell spices drifting from the Deira souks nearby. Naim pointed toward the buildings on the opposite bank and said, “For hundreds of years, people have crossed here. Merchants, pearl divers, fishermen, families. The abra is older than any skyscraper you see today.”

What struck me most was the mix of people sitting around me. A worker in uniform, a family with kids, and several tourists holding their phones up for photos. “That’s the magic of the abra,” Naim explained. “Everyone uses it. Whether you are rich or poor or a visitor or a local, you share the same bench and the same ride.”

It was only a few minutes across the creek, but by the time we reached the other side, the boat ride gave me a glimpse into the Dubai that built the city we see today. This was honestly beyond amazing!

Entrance to the Deira Old Souq Water Taxi Station in Dubai

Dhows: The Giants of Trade

After the abra ride, Naim took me down to the docks where the larger wooden boats, the dhows, were lined up. Their pointed bows stretched out into the creek, and some were loaded so high with goods that it looked almost impossible they could still float. “These are the giants that built Dubai,” Naim told me as we walked along the pier.

According to him, long before oil, dhows carried stuff like dates, spices, and textiles across the Gulf, India, and as far as East Africa. “Every family in old Dubai had some connection to these boats,” he said. “If you weren’t trading, you were fishing or diving for pearls. The dhow made life here possible.”

I remember one of the crews was loading boxes onto a dhow while we stood watching. Naim pointed at them and said, “See, even today some of these dhows are still in business. They move goods the old way with a lot of hard work.”

But the thing is that these dhows are not only about trade anymore. As the sun set, Naim gestured toward a brightly lit boat preparing to host tourists. “Now we also share this tradition with the world,” he said. “On a dhow cruise, people eat, watch shows, and see the skyline. It is a new role, but the same boat. I think the dhows are essentially carrying Dubai’s history forward.”

Standing there, I could see what he meant.

raditional wooden abra boat on Dubai Creek with city skyline in the background

Tips for Riding an Abra in Dubai

  • Price of Abra: As of the writing of this post, it costs just 1 dirham per ride, paid in cash directly to the driver. Have coins ready if you can.
  • Where to Catch One: The main stations are at Deira Old Souk Abra Station and Bur Dubai Abra Station. They run constantly, so you never wait long.
  • Timing: Abras operate roughly from 5:00 AM until midnight. If you want the most atmospheric ride, go at sunset when the water reflects the city lights.
  • Seating: It’s open bench seating. Don’t expect luxury, but that’s the charm. Sit in the middle if you want to avoid splashes.
  • Safety: Hold onto your phone and camera. Why? Despite the ride being smooth, you should remember that you are close to the water.
  • Experience It Twice: Ride once during the day to see the bustling souks and again at night for a magical view of the skyline lit up.
  • Talk to Locals: Many commuters use the abra daily. A quick smile or greeting often sparks a short but warm exchange.

Countless Abra Rides, Countless Conversations

People sitting together on a traditional abra boat crossing Dubai Creek, showing the friendly and social atmosphere of the ride.

Since that first ride with Naim, I’ve found myself hopping on the abra every time I return to Dubai. It never gets old. There’s something about sitting on that wooden bench, the engine humming softly or sometimes loudly, and the water splashing just inches away from your hand. For me, sometimes the abra can feel like a moving meeting place.

Over the years, I’ve had some of my best conversations on these little boats. I’ve chatted with locals who told me stories of how they used the abra as kids when there were no bridges. I’ve shared laughs with tourists who were just as amazed as I was at how such a simple ride could feel so special. I’ve even talked to workers heading home after a long day, and their friendliness always reminded me that Dubai is a city built on people just as much as it is on towers.

I think that somehow the abra has the ability to break down barriers. You sit side by side with strangers, and before long, you’re swapping travel stories or tips about the best places to eat in the souks. Every ride feels different, but the warmth and openness of the people I’ve met have stayed the same. And that’s why, even with all the futuristic options in Dubai, I’ll keep coming back to this humble wooden boat and I strongly suggest you do too.