As Abu Dhabi continues to welcome the world’s elite year on year, the city has cultivated a lifestyle of refinement, gradually transforming into a playground for the world’s most discerning. For those drawn to the sea, the capital offers a collection of exclusive yacht clubs, where like-minded enthusiasts gather to indulge in leisure, sophistication, and the thrill of the open water. Read on to discover the most prestigious yacht clubs making waves along Abu Dhabi’s shorelines.
Abu Dhabi Sailing Club
Located within The Club, one of the world’s most refined British clubs, the ADCS is an all-encompassing sailing academy, ideal both for those who are just starting out on their sailing journey, as well as the more experienced sailor.
A Royal Yachting Association (RYA) certified training facility, the academy offers RYA courses, programs and qualifications, and is open to people of all ages and experience. Qualified instructors provide both practical and theoretical training, guiding participants from the fundamentals of sailing through to advanced skills, with the goal of developing confident and accomplished sailors. Classes are safe and enjoyable, and the facility even offers a two-month ladies-only course with a qualified female instructor.
Set across 16 hours, the course teaches students how to handle low-speed, close-quarters boating, man-overboard recovery and an introduction to driving at speed.
In addition, The Club boasts a range of further activities – both land and water-based – designed to maximise your membership.
Nirvana Boat Club
Navigating prestige has never been so simple as at Nirvana Boat Club, one of the most esteemed sailing clubs in the region. Members can enjoy a host of exclusive benefits, including hassle-free booking through a dedicated mobile app, access to a fleet of more than 50 new boats for the upcoming season – among them a 16-metre houseboat – as well as a newly built marina, professional in-house captains, and tailored training sessions.
Upon joining, clients will undergo a two-day course before obtaining their boating license. A club orientation session follows, after which members are ready to set sail on the open sea aboard one of Nirvana’s state-of-the-art vessels, featuring renowned boating brands such as Rand, Boston Whaler, and Nimbus.
Patrons benefit from a range of extracurricular activities, such as night cruises, camping activities and marina stay-ins. Complimentary trips outside the city are also included, while watersports activities can be arranged with ease – all of which combine to make Nirvana Boat Club one of the most sophisticated options for those looking to try out their sea legs.
Xclusive Boat Club - Al Bateen
Anchored at the Al Bateen Marina, Xclusive Boat Club is an ideal option for residents of Downtown Abu Dhabi.
Upon choosing from one of the club's membership options, guests are required to undergo rigorous RYA training at the in-house Xclusive Sea School, before an international boating license is awarded. For those who are new to the world of boating, there is a compulsory in-house familiarisation training session, designed to enhance awareness of safety procedures while out on the open water.
A well-maintained fleet of boats is available for those who complete the club’s training, but potential clients should take note that Xclusive operates a strict one booking per weekend policy, designed with transparency and fairness in mind. However, the club also limits membership, so it is highly unlikely that slots are regularly unavailable.
Furthermore, the Al Bateen society offers a range of superyacht rentals, sport fishing charters, yacht parties, sunset dinner cruises and private event hire.
The Captain's Club - Emirates Palace Marina
Situated at one of the city’s most important and well-used marinas, The Captain’s Club at Emirates Palace Marina offers easy access to some of the coast's most breathtaking hidden inlets and islands.
With a variety of sophisticated boat options for hire – more than 200 across six separate categories – guests can choose whichever option best suits their needs. Boats designed for fishing, cruising and watersports make up just some of the options, while pontoons and speed boats are also available.
With reasonable joining fees, visitors can also take advantage of complimentary access at other Captain’s Club locations across a vast array of the region’s cities such as Dubai – just a short cruise along the coast – as well as Muscat, Manama, Doha and Jeddah among others. Patrons are welcome to bring guests along, while night cruises and in-house captains are also a key feature.
Guests derive further benefit from watersports equipment, available on request, as well as shower facilities upon return to dry land.
The Captain’s Club - Yas Marina
A sister club of the aforementioned Emirates Palace Marina, The Captain’s Club Yas Marina is perched next to Yas Marina Circuit, home of the world-famous Formula One race.
Yas Marina also functions as a hotspot for watersports, ideal for those who wish to combine a boat or yacht trip with some action on the water. Wakeboarding, waterskiing, and wakesurfing are all available, while guests can also indulge in a spot of island hopping aboard one of the club’s sophisticated vessels.
The Pearl Membership offers all-day access during the week, in addition to limited weekend access, plus three rolling bookings and 60 freezing days – ideal for those who travel regularly. The Gold Membership presents full weekday and weekend access across all of the club’s yacht options. Subscribers can take advantage of early departures – yachts can be booked from as early as 4 am – while a drop-off service to any of the UAE’s coastal marinas can also be arranged.
Upon returning to shore, members can immerse themselves in Yas Island’s world-renowned nightlife, where an array of upscale restaurants and five-star hotels are not to be missed.
For Abu Dhabi’s ultra-high-net-worth community, the city offers an extensive array of boating and yachting services. From sailing courses catering to all ages and experience levels, to bespoke offerings such as superyacht charters, deep-sea fishing excursions, private events, and premium watersports, Abu Dhabi’s cerulean waters provide an experience to suit every taste.
