Dubai has made it easier than ever to get on and off a yacht. The Dubai Maritime Authority, operating under the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, has launched the “Dubai Sea Guests Pick-Up and Drop-Off” initiative to improve guest transfers between marinas and private vessels across the emirate through regulated procedures.
The service is a practical solution to a real problem — getting guests to and from boats anchored in Dubai waters has historically relied on informal arrangements. This initiative replaces that with something organised, regulated and available around the clock.
The initiative reflects the authority’s ongoing commitment to elevating the quality of maritime services and reinforcing Dubai’s position as a leading global destination for marine tourism.
What Is the New Marina Transfer Service?
The new service, introduced by the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation under the title Dubai Sea Guests Pick-Up and Drop-Off, will provide guest transportation between participating marinas and private boats and yachts registered in Dubai, as well as approved foreign yachts visiting the emirate.
The service provides 24-hour guest transfer operations through marina management teams. That means yacht owners, guests and crew can arrange transfers at any time of day or night rather than working around limited service windows.
Dubai Maritime Authority has already commenced implementation of the initiative in collaboration with several key marinas across the emirate, including Port Rashid Marina, Jumeirah 1 Marina, Dubai Harbour Marina, and JA Hotel Marina.
Supporting Dubai’s Expanding Marine Economy
The timing of this launch makes sense. Dubai is already home to 20 marinas offering more than 4,214 berths of various sizes, many of which are designed to accommodate large leisure boats and luxury yachts.
In 2025, Dubai Maritime Authority also received 210 entry permit applications for foreign visiting yachts — a figure that points to the emirate’s growing pull in the international yachting world. As that activity increases, having a proper, regulated guest transfer system in place becomes less of a luxury and more of a necessity.
A Better Experience for Yacht Owners and Guests
The initiative addresses a practical challenge for yacht owners and visitors by providing organised transport between marina facilities and vessels anchored in Dubai waters.
For guests, it removes the uncertainty of figuring out how to reach a boat once they’re ashore. For owners and operators, it brings professionalism and consistency to what was previously an unstructured part of the experience. The service also reduces the need to rely on road transport during busy periods when waterfront traffic can stack up.
Mohammed Nabhan, Director of Maritime Excellence and Compliance at Dubai Maritime Authority, said the service would improve movement between marinas, leisure destinations and private vessels while enhancing the overall visitor experience. He said the initiative also supports the integration of marine tourism, hospitality and recreational activities across Dubai.
Enhancing Tourism Along Dubai’s Waterfront
Dubai’s coastline has become one of the region’s most sought-after destinations, with luxury resorts, waterfront dining, entertainment districts and marina communities all drawing visitors in large numbers. Better marine connectivity makes it easier to experience these destinations together rather than in isolation.
New ensuite facilities, refurbished jetties and customer amenities are also due by August 2026, suggesting the investment in Dubai’s marine infrastructure extends well beyond this single initiative.
Part of Dubai’s Long-Term Marine Transport Vision
The Sea Guests Pick-Up and Drop-Off service sits within a much broader effort to build a truly integrated marine transport network across the emirate. Dubai has been steadily expanding its water-based mobility options — ferries, water taxis, abras and now regulated yacht transfer services — as part of a long-term push to make the waterways as functional as the road network.
The initiative applies verification steps such as proof of vessel ownership and valid sailing permits for visiting foreign vessels, in line with regulatory requirements — ensuring the service operates safely and consistently from day one.
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Growing Demand for Luxury Marine Experiences
Officials say the new transfer service is closely aligned with Dubai’s broader efforts to expand marine tourism and strengthen integration between marinas, leisure experiences and the hospitality sector.
As Dubai cements its reputation in global yachting circles, services like this matter. The difference between a good yachting destination and a great one often comes down to the details — how smoothly guests can move, how organised the experience feels, and how much effort the city has put into making everything work together. The Sea Guests Pick-Up and Drop-Off initiative is a clear signal that Dubai is paying attention to exactly those details.