Where to Rent Water Sports Gear in the UAE
Rent Before You Buy
Whether you're visiting the UAE for a week and want to ride some waves, or you're a new resident exploring the water sports scene before committing to expensive kit, gear rental is the smart move.
Here's a complete guide to where you can rent water sports equipment across all seven emirates.
Surfboard Rental
Fujairah & East Coast
The East Coast is the only place in the UAE with consistent surfable waves. Several operators along the Fujairah and Dibba coastlines offer board rental:
- Fujairah Surf Club — beginner-friendly longboards and mini-malibus from AED 80/hour or AED 200/day. Includes wax and leash.
- Dibba Beach Shack — boards from AED 60/hour; basic surf advice given with rental.
- East Coast Water Sports — full selection from foamies to shortboards. Weekly rental available from AED 600.
What to expect: Most rental boards are soft-top foamies or wide longboards — great for learning, fine for small waves. If you're an experienced surfer, you're better off bringing your own board or buying second-hand locally.
Can I rent in Dubai?
Dubai's Gulf-side beaches don't get surfable waves, so there's no surfboard rental at Dubai Kite Beach or JBR. Head to the East Coast.
Kitesurfing Equipment Rental
Kitesurfing gear rental is typically available only to certified riders (IKO Level 3 or equivalent). Expect to show your IKO card. Here's where to rent:
| Location | Operator | Daily Rental (kite + board) | |----------|----------|----------------------------| | Dubai Kite Beach | Dubai Kite School | AED 250 | | Abu Dhabi (Al Bateen) | Abu Dhabi Kite Surf | AED 250 | | Fujairah | RAK Watersports* | AED 220 | | Ras Al Khaimah | RAK Watersports | AED 220 |
*Day trips arranged on request.
Included in most rentals: kite, bar, safety leash, harness, board, fins. Not included: wetsuit (winter — extra ~AED 40/session), helmet (bring your own or rent for ~AED 20).
Windsurfing Equipment Rental
Windsurf rental is less common than kitesurfing rentals, but available at a few locations:
- Fujairah Surf Club — limited windsurf rigs for hire (best to book ahead): AED 150/session
- Abu Dhabi Kite Surf School — rig + board: AED 180/session
- RAK Watersports Centre — rig + board: AED 150/session
- Jumeirah Beach Hotel Water Sports (Dubai) — rig + board: AED 200/hour
Tip: Windsurf rigs vary a lot in size and condition. When you call ahead to book, ask what sail sizes are available so you can match to forecast conditions.
Scuba Diving Equipment Rental
All PADI dive centres include equipment as part of their dive trip costs. Standalone gear rental is available at:
- Dibba Dive Center — full gear rental from AED 100/dive (regulators, BCD, wetsuit, mask, fins)
- RAK Watersports Centre — AED 100/dive
- Al Boom Diving Dubai (JBR) — full gear from AED 150/dive; 3-day rental packages available
- Divers Down Fujairah — AED 90/dive
Bring your own: Most experienced divers travel with their own mask, fins, and dive computer. Rental masks and fins are functional but rarely fit perfectly.
Snorkelling Gear
Snorkelling gear is the most accessible to rent across the UAE:
- Any dive centre will rent mask + snorkel + fins for AED 40–80/day
- Beach kiosk rentals at Fujairah public beach: AED 30/hour
- Hotel beach clubs: typically AED 50–100/day
Our recommendation: Buy your own mask. A well-fitting mask makes a dramatic difference to your experience. Decent entry-level masks start at AED 80 from Abu Dhabi or Dubai dive shops.
Paddleboard (SUP) Rental
Stand-up paddleboarding is hugely popular and easy to find across the UAE:
- Dubai Marina / JBR: AED 70–120/hour from beach kiosks
- Kite Beach Dubai: AED 80/hour
- Yas Marina Abu Dhabi: AED 100/hour
- Palm Jumeirah: AED 90/hour from hotel beach clubs
- Fujairah Beach: AED 60/hour
SUP rental doesn't require any certification and is a great option for non-certified visitors wanting to get on the water.
Tips for Renting
- Book ahead in winter — January and February are peak season and equipment gets snapped up quickly, especially on weekends.
- Check the condition — before you take any rental gear, inspect it. Test the kite's quick-release on a kiteboard before entering the water. Check diving regulator second stages breathe freely.
- Wear sunscreen — the UAE sun is intense even in winter. Apply SPF50+ before every session.
- Ask about transport — some operators will deliver rental gear to your beach location for a small fee.
- Buy second-hand instead — if you plan to surf or kitesurf more than 10 days in a year, buying second-hand gear works out cheaper than renting. Check Facebook Marketplace UAE and Dubizzle for listings.
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