The fjords of the Musandem penislular are more reminiscent of the Dalmatian Islands in the Adriatic Sea than anything you’ll find in Norway or more northern latitudes. After experiencing the hyper luxury and buzzing night life of Dubai, you sail to a stunningly beautiful sprawl of islands with almost no signs of human habitation, except for a couple of tiny fishing villages. The only signs of life you will see are the numerous dolphins found hereabouts.
Dream destinations
Cruising the Emirates
9 Days
DAY ONE ARRIVAL IN ABU DHABI
Embark in the Yas Marina, a short drive from the airport in Abu Dhabi and one of the most modern and glamorous marinas in the world. If you charter in early November when the F1 Grand Prix is taking place, you will be rewarded with the very best views of the race. Once settled onboard, we recommend stepping ashore for a visit to the Viceroy Yas Marina Hotel, an extraordinary hotel in the marina where you will find excellent bars and several very good restaurants. Alternatively, you may take dinner on the aft deck of the yacht and enjoy the views of the yachts in the marina.
DAY TWO DUBAI
After enjoying a leisurely al fresco breakfast, spend a few hours relaxing in the onboard pool and sun lounging areas while heading northeast to Dubai. As you approach Dubai, cruise around the extraordinary and unique developments – the islands of The World and The Palm, where the impressive Atlantis Palm Hotel & Resort sits. Anchor just off the Dubai Marine area, near to the Dubai International Marine Club in Jumeira. In the evening you may choose to dine on board, or step ashore and take a taxi into town and enjoy one of the many superb restaurants Dubai has to offer.
DAY THREE DUBAI
If this is your first visit to Dubai we recommend that you take advantage of a day to explore. This is a city that really bridges the traditions of the Middle East with the Western world. Perhaps take a 4×4 desert safari, go to the camel races, head for the malls, take a trip up Dubai Creek or go to the old town to see the gold souks, the spice market, and soak up a bit of traditional Dubai. There are also world-class golf courses. Alternatively you may spend time exploring on the tender or relaxing onboard.
DAY FIVE OMAN
Weigh anchor at daybreak and head north-east up the coast, past the lesser known Emirates of Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al-Quwain and Ras al-Khaimah, to Oman and Musandam at the very tip of the Arabian peninsular. Until now the coastal scenery has been fairly unexciting, but as you head northeast the scenery becomes more interesting. This is where the Eurasian and Arabian tectonic plates meet, and the resulting geological formations are magnificent – stratified cliffs thrust up from the seabed, bent and buckled by extraordinary forces. Rounding the tip of the peninsular, you will find yourselves in the Omani harbour of Khasab, the end of the line for road traffic in this part of the world.
DAY SIX KHASAB
Spend the morning exploring Khasab town and it’s wonderful fort. The town itself is quiet and sleepy, but the fort is fascinating, and gives a rare glimpse of what life was like here several hundred years ago. Enjoy a sumptuous lunch onboard, and in the afternoon head out into the fjords of Musandam Peninsular. Off the northeast corner of the peninsular are what appears to be a sprawl of islands, but in fact they are one landmass attached to the Musandem by a 200-metre wide isthmus. Although described as fjords, these flooded valleys and mountaintops are more reminiscent of the Dalmatian Islands in the Adriatic Sea than anything you’ll find in Norway or more northern latitudes. And they are stunningly beautiful, in a wild, inhospitable way. There are almost no signs of human habitation, except for a couple of tiny fishing villages, and the only signs of life you will see are the numerous dolphins found hereabouts. Depending on the weather conditions, the captain will find a quiet bay in which to anchor overnight. The night skies in this part of the world are sublime, clear and dark and without any illuminations from artificial light – it’s a rare view, so we recommend spending the evening stargazing from your sun lounger.
DAY SEVEN MUSANDAM PENINSULAR
Spend a leisurely day relaxing and exploring – swim in the clear, crystal waters of your anchorage. There are dozens of sandy beaches, most of which you will have entirely to yourselves. You may come across the occasional tourist dhow or fishing boat, but otherwise it’s just you and the dolphins. In the evening, the captain will find another idyllic anchorage in which to overnight.
DAY EIGHT DUBAI
Awake when the crew has you safely underway and en route back towards Dubai. It’s a long day sailing but by nightfall you will be back in Dubai for an overnight stop. After a long day on board we recommend you step ashore and eat at one of the trendy restaurants of Nobu, Hakkasan, Gaucho or The Ivy.
DAY NINE DEPARTURE
Time for one last swim and a few more hours in the sun as you head back to Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi. You will disembark having probably seen more of the Arabian Peninsular than many of the ex-pats who have lived there for years!