The Dubai Maritime Authority shared new insights on yacht traffic in the Emirate for the first half of the year.
According to the DMA, yacht arrivals saw a 149% increase, recording 97 foreign-flagged vessels between January and June 2025, compared to 39 boats in the same period last year. This underscores the rise of the Emirate as a superyacht hub and an alternative winter destination.
Similarly, the number of berths under the purview of the DMA has risen by 1.2% with the addition of 48 spaces during the period, bringing the total up to 4,190 berths.
Finally, marina licenses granted increased 19% to 1,272 year on year, and permits issued climbed 8.2% to 2,404.
Recently, the DMA, in partnership with the Dubai Department of Economy (DET), has launched “Dock and Dine,” an initiative that allows yacht owners, captains, and crew members to gain access to services from 20 of Dubai’s marinas.
As part of the scheme introduced to boost yacht tourism in the Emirate, members are granted free moorage at the included properties, in addition to access to dining options at various restaurants within a 45-minute to one-hour proximity to the dock. Booking responses for restaurants, hotels, and entertainment options are streamlined to happen between five minutes and an hour, with direct contact to the venues.
Earlier this year, following the Dubai International Boat Show, the Dubai General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), announced six-month multiple-entry visas for yacht crew members and the “Mobile Marina:” initiative: a new service available in every marina in Dubai that fast-tracks the entry and exit of FF vessels in the emirate, completing every transaction in as little as 30 seconds.