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Hatta Dam lake surrounded by rocky Hajar mountains, with kayaks on the water
On the water · Dubai

Hatta mountains and dam

A day trip to Hatta for kayaking on the dam lake, the heritage village and the Hajar Mountains.

Duration
8 hours
Pickup
Hotel pickup in Dubai
Group
Small shared group, or a private car
Languages
English; other languages on request
Cancellation
Free up to 24 hours before pickup
Confirmation
Within a few hours of your request
  • A UAE flag on a rocky outcrop above Hatta’s lake, with kayakers paddling below
  • A child kayaking on the green water of Hatta Dam, mountains behind
  • Sandstone towers of an old fort with the Hajar mountains in the haze behind
  • Hatta Dam lake between bare rocky mountains, boulders in the foreground

Highlights

  • Kayaking on the turquoise Hatta Dam lake
  • Hatta Heritage Village and its old fort
  • Views of the Hajar Mountains
  • A drive through Hatta’s mountain roads and wadis

Why you’ll love it

  • Paddling between mountains

    Kayak on the dam’s green water with the bare Hajar peaks rising on every side.

  • Dubai’s mountain side

    Hatta belongs to Dubai but feels far from the city, with farms, wadis and old stone watchtowers.

  • A village with its history intact

    Hatta Heritage Village keeps its restored fort and watchtowers, and the old falaj channels that carried water to the farms.

  • Kit and safety covered

    Kayak hire and life jackets are included, and the lake is calm enough for first-timers.

How the day runs

  1. 7:00 am

    Pickup

    Pickup from your hotel for the drive out to Hatta, about 1.5 hours from Dubai.

  2. 9:00 am

    Hatta Dam

    Arrive at Hatta Dam and its lake, framed by the Hajar Mountains.

  3. 9:30 am

    Kayaking

    Kayak on the lake at your own pace, with life jackets provided.

  4. 11:00 am

    Heritage Village

    Walk through Hatta Heritage Village, with its restored fort, towers and falaj water channels.

  5. 12:30 pm

    Lunch stop

    A break for lunch at your own expense at a local restaurant.

  6. 2:00 pm

    Wadi drive

    A scenic drive through Hatta’s mountain roads and dry wadis.

  7. 4:00 pm

    Return to Dubai

    Drive back and drop-off at your hotel.

What’s included

Included

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Air-conditioned transport
  • Kayak hire and life jackets
  • Heritage Village entry

Not included

  • Lunch
  • Personal expenses

Good to know

What to bring

  • Swimwear or quick-dry clothes
  • A towel and a change of clothes
  • Sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses
  • Sandals with a back strap, or water shoes

Not suitable for

  • Babies under 2 on the water
  • Kayakers over 110 kg (the hire limit)
  • People with limited mobility (steps at the dam)

Know before you go

  • Single kayaks are for ages 16 and over; a double kayak takes two adults and a child aged 2 to 4.
  • Hatta Heritage Village opens only from 2:30 pm on Fridays, so on a Friday we visit it after lunch.
  • Summer days in Hatta often pass 40°C, so in the hot months we suggest kayaking first thing.
  • Kayaking stops in strong wind or rain, and wadi roads can close after heavy rain.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup. Cancellations after that, and no-shows, are charged in full. If wind or heavy rain closes the lake or the mountain roads, you choose a full refund or a new date.

Questions

Do we need kayaking experience?

No. The lake is calm and staff show you the basics before you set off.

What should we bring?

A swimsuit under light clothes, a towel and sun cream. You may get a little wet kayaking.

Is this trip suitable in summer?

Mornings are more comfortable in summer. We can move the kayaking earlier in the day on request.

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