Shorts in Dubai’s Climate
In recent years, Dubai has become a trendy and desirable travel destination. It’s an absolutely beautiful place, and there is plenty to do there. From the lively nightlife, the Dubai Mall, and posh dining spots to the family-friendly marine-animal parks, Burj Khalifa skyscraper with an observation deck, and Palm Jumeirah boardwalk, there’s something for everyone. I recently decided to jump on the Dubai bandwagon and plan a trip there to experience it for myself.
Can you wear shorts in Dubai? Shorts can be worn in Dubai as the climate is amenable to it; and appropriate to cultural sensitivity. In fact, you may want to pack mostly shorts and light tee shirts or tank tops, or dresses, because the temperature in Dubai can get up to 122° Fahrenheit, which most tourists (myself included) probably aren’t used to.
As someone who loves to travel, but also needs to know what to expect weather-wise once I hop off of the plane, this was beneficial information for me, and gave me an excellent idea of how to pack up my suitcase for my upcoming trip. So, now that I’ve rummaged through my closet and arranged my Dubai-friendly outfits, I want to share my experience with anyone else who is getting ready to do the same thing!
How to pack your suitcase for a trip to Dubai
Most people live in an area that has different seasons with varying temperatures, humidity, and periods of sunshine. While there is a little bit of variance, the differences aren’t as dramatic in Dubai. The hottest month there is August, with an average of 97° Fahrenheit each day, and the coldest month is January, which is similar to most other travel destinations, but the difference is that their daily average in this month is a comfortable 67° Fahrenheit. Personally, I’ve lived in Connecticut for my whole life, which has an average of 28° Fahrenheit each day in January, so this sounds like a great place to escape to in the winter.
If you’re taking a trip to Dubai in January, you may want to pack some long pants along with your shorts, and a light hoodie, just to be safe. But since the temperature in every other month of the year has an average of 70° Fahrenheit or more, it’s safe to say that you can rely heavily on your summer wardrobe of shorts, tee shirts, tank tops, and other warm-weather garments to get you through your trip.
Here are the averages for each of the months after January, in case you want to see what it will be like in your exact travel month rather than relying on guesswork from the 70° Fahrenheit baseline:
- February: 70°F
- March: 74°F
- April: 82°F
- May: 89°F
- June: 93°F
- July: 97°F
- August: 97°F
- September: 93°F
- October: 87°F
- November: 78°F
- December: 71°F
Now that you know what to expect with the weather in Dubai, it should be much easier for you to pack your bags and get ready to explore! If you need any outfit inspiration, there are tons of celebrities and Instagram models visiting this beautiful place every day, so just give it a quick search and maybe make some time to go buy some new vacation clothes if you need them. And then you can move on to the next step: picking the best vacation activities!
The best outdoor attractions and excursions in Dubai
At any point in your vacation, you can find plenty of spots to go to a fun, scenic, and delicious brunch, catch some rays on a sandy beach, or spend some time shopping for souvenirs for your friends, family, and yourself. But what are the best activities to do if you’re looking for adventure-filled days and long-lasting memorable experiences? Thankfully, Dubai is an incredibly versatile place, and the options are endless.
Dubai has everything from sand to sea, which makes it a great place to find a multitude of unique adventures to choose from. Of course, there are tons more and just a little bit of extra research would reveal a mile-long list that could keep you occupied for months, but for now, here are my top five favorite outdoor activities that are easy to find in Dubai:
- Sandboarding
- Speed boat tours
- Mountain biking
- Scuba/shark diving
- Dune bashing
If any of these activities sound completely foreign and unfamiliar to you, you’re not alone, just stay with me. Before planning a trip to Dubai, I’d never heard of anything like dune bashing. I couldn’t even begin to guess what that would mean, but it did sound intriguing. I’ve done the research so you don’t have to. So, I’ll give you a quick overview of these popular tourist activities so you can decide which ones you want to investigate further.
Sandboarding was one that was pretty easy to figure out, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to do. If you’ve ever snowboarded, you’ll probably catch on to it pretty quickly, but whether you’re a seasoned expert or you’ve never seen a snowboard, this activity is a must try. A safari will take you out into the desert, where you’ll strap a board onto your feet, stand up, and ride the board down a sand dune. You can pick smaller or larger hills to ride depending on your experience level. This is one of the most popular desert activities in Dubai, and for good reason; it looks like an absolute blast, and it’s a great workout!
Next, we have one that’s a right mix of adventure and relaxation for anyone who wants to start out with something a bit less intense. Hop on one of the many available speed boat tours to see the most impressive sights in Dubai, including the Palm, Burj al Arab, the Dubai Marina, and various others. The tour guide will provide history (and probably a few dad jokes) to keep you entertained, and they’ll stop in certain areas so you can snap some incredible pictures.
Mountain biking may not be the most unique adventure on the list, but the Hatta biking trails are open and available to adventurers every day of the year, and there are trails for both beginners and experts. If you’re looking for a fun, easy-going (or physically challenging, if you choose the harder trails) way to see some picturesque views without following tour groups, this is a great way to do it.
If you’re interested in diving on this vacation, Dubai’s clear waters offer a great location to see hundreds of species of fish, turtles, other sea creatures, and even shipwrecks. Scuba diving is recommended for beginners and for anyone who just wants to take a few hours to explore under the sea. For those who are feeling extra brave, the Dubai Aquarium and the Aquaventure Waterpark will let you dive with sharks!
Last but certainly not least on the list is dune bashing. When you go dune bashing, you’ll strap into a heavy-duty vehicle like a Hummer and drive through the sand dunes in the desert at full speed. That’s right, adrenaline junkies, you can sign up for a tour with the sole purpose of speeding through the desert like a villain in an action movie. This is my personal favorite activity on the list, but hey, the list is short – why not try them all!
Related Question(s)
Do a lot of places in Dubai have a dress code?
While Dubai is pretty modern and up on fashion trends, it is an Islamic country, and many of the locals will be modestly dressed in public. Traditional clothing is no longer enforced for the men and women who live in Dubai, but some people will still choose to wear it, so be aware, polite, and respectful of their choices. If you’re spending a lot of your trip on the beach, on excursions, or diving in the sea, wearing shorts and regular summer items won’t be an issue, but you should pack extra clothes that cover a bit more for fancier restaurants and shopping trips.
Many of the malls in Dubai have dress codes, so before going out to shop or out to dinner, throw on some shorts that hit the knee, and throw on a cardigan or a tee shirt to cover up exposed shoulders. Some places will be more strict about enforcing the dress code than others will, but you typically won’t know ahead of time which will be lenient and which won’t, so even if you’re coming from a day on the beach and you don’t want to change first, just bring a few items in your bag to throw on over your clothes if you need to.
If you’re visiting more historical places like mosques or museums that will be filled with locals, you should consider dressing more modestly. While it may not be strictly required in these areas, it is the polite and culturally respectful thing to do. You don’t have to cover yourself up head to toe, but I’d suggest choosing a tee shirt and some comfortable jeans, a knee-length summer dress, capris, or long shorts. Once you’ve outlined your itinerary, use your best judgment to pack according to where you’re going.
Resources:
https://www.bookmundi.com/t/12-best-adventure-activities-in-dubai
https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/united-arab-emirates/dubai/climate
