Ultimate Guide to Skydiving in Dubai

If life is all about taking enormous leaps of faith, how about taking one from 13,000 feet? And if you’re going to dive, you probably want to do it in as scenic a location as possible. There are few places better suited for skydiving than the beautiful city of Dubai. 

Serving as an ideal holiday destination with thrilling activities, vibrant nightlife, and fantastic outdoor adventures, Dubai is a skydiver’s paradise. This post loops you in on almost everything about skydiving in Dubai. Read on!

Skydiving in Dubai – The Types

While the concept of skydiving seems pretty simple, there are a few variables that you may need to consider. In Dubai, there are two types of skydiving, including the following:

Outdoor Skydiving

During an outdoor skydive, your plane will fly for about 20 minutes until it reaches a certain altitude, usually between 10,000 to 14,000 feet. Then, you’ll jump out. Licensed jumpers can do this alone. Non-professionals, however, need to tandem with an instructor. This thrilling skydiving drops you at an insane speed — 193 kilometers (123 miles) per hour!

Indoor Skydiving

Indoor skydiving is comparatively tamer than outdoors. Here, you will be enclosed in a large tube, and a blast of air will hit you from the bottom, recreating the outdoor skydiving. Inside the diving tunnel, a trainer will give you a quick rundown of what to expect and guide you. Thus, it may be best for amateurs to try skydiving indoors before attempting outdoor drops.

However, in both types of skydiving, authority performs a detailed security check to help you enjoy an exciting yet secure jump. 

Types of Jumps

Like the types of diving, there are different jumping techniques. They include:

Static Line Jump

The static line jump involves a brief period of free fall accompanied by a static line attached to the aircraft. However, you will have to s a day for technical and ground training before trying the static line jump. 

Tandem

Here, you’ll have an experienced instructor to navigate your drop with you. Before jumping, the instructor will tie himself with you using a harness, and they’ll be in charge of your safety during your descent.

Accelerated Free Fall

This type of skydiving is about experiencing 50 seconds of tremendous adrenaline rush leveraging free fall. AFF requires in-depth training. Typically, you’ll need two instructors to help you cover the basics. One of the instructors will hold you until you can deploy the parachute on your own. 

Once you learn this, your instructor will release you. During a fall, when you open the parachute, your other instructor on the ground will pass verbal guidance to ease your descent using a radio. You will find the device mounted on your helmet.

The Best Skydiving Locations in Dubai

Both indoor and outdoor skydiving bring extraordinary pleasures. Therefore, first, you need to decide on your go-to venture. Here are some reputable spots.

Best Indoor Skydiving Zones in Dubai

Inflight: Inflight is a premium indoor skydiving location in Dubai featuring a cylindrical 16.5m tunnel. It’s one of the largest indoor skydiving zones in the world. Located in a desert zone, Inflight Dubai offers exclusive outdoor and indoor facilities, making it a skydiving hotspot. In addition, Inflight is quite famous for hosting competitions. 

iFly: iFly operates from the third floor of the City Centre Mirdif mall in the Play Nation area. It houses adept instructors with extensive experience in handling skydiving tools. Here, you can get access to complementary skydiving gear. In addition, you will enjoy a unique flight experience that closely mimics the outdoor ones. Kids and teens can also try iFly indoor skydiving. 

Best Outdoor Skydiving Zones in Dubai

If you feel brave enough to skydive outdoors, you can head to the following locations. 

Desert Campus: If you haven’t tried outdoor skydiving before, you may turn to Desert Campus. It has a skydiving school, and it’s open to new jumpers. Located outside of the city, Desert Campus renders you the joy of flying high in the desert sky while absorbing the mesmerizing view of Dubai city. 

Palm Drop Zone: Descending over Palm Jumeirah island, the skydive at the palm defines legacy. It’s the only outdoor skydiving zone in Dubai that offers tandem jumps for children over 12 years. The dive offers a spectacular aerial view of Burj Al Arab, Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, the World Islands, etc. 

Skydiving Criteria in Dubai

To ensure a safe and enjoyable skydiving experience in Dubai, you must meet a set of requirements. They include the following standards:

BMI and Body Weight

Your body weight must be less than 90 kg and 100 kg for women and men, respectively. Besides, your BMI must be 27.5, including shoes and clothes. 

Age Limit

For solo or tandem skydiving, your age should be at least 18 years. If you are above 70, you may need to complete a fitness declaration form signed by a licensed medical practitioner. 

Identity Proof

You must carry valid photo identity proof (driving license or passport). You’ll need to produce it before making the jump. 

No Intoxicants 

Dubai skydiving authority follows a zero-tolerance policy for intoxicants like alcohol and drugs. You shouldn’t consume any intoxicating substance within 24 hours of the dive. 

Medical Condition

People suffering from chronic medical conditions need to submit a fitness declaration form. The document should carry the signature of a licensed medical practitioner. This is a common standard for both the diver and the instructor. The medical conditions requiring this permission include high blood pressure, diabetes, epilepsy, cardiovascular diseases, mental instability, etc. Additionally, pregnant women are not allowed to jump, considering the security of both the fetus and the mother. 

Note: You should avoid scuba diving before making the jump. The immense pressure of atmospheric differences on the individual may lead to severe consequences. 

Wrapping Up

Dubai’s skydiving allows you to witness incredible aerial views of the city’s breathtaking landscape. However, before jumping, you should know your options and ensure that your location and fall method suit your preferences and circumstances. Both indoor and outdoor skydiving alternatives offer exhilarating experiences. The best time to enjoy a dive is from October to April. Pick a morning slot for a better, breezier, and more photogenic experience, and enjoy the sky.