Practical, plain-language guides to owning, registering, licensing, insuring, importing, and maintaining boats and yachts in the United Arab Emirates — covering Dubai Maritime Authority (DMCA), Abu Dhabi Maritime, MOEI, the UAE Coast Guard, and every major marina.
How to legally transfer boat ownership in the UAE: required documents, authority approvals, fees, and timelines for Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the Northern Emirates.
Read guideComplete UAE yacht registration guide: which authority to use, required paperwork, fees by length, and timelines for Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the Northern Emirates.
Read guideStep-by-step DMCA pleasure boat registration in Dubai: documents, fees, inspection, operator licence, and renewal timeline for private craft.
Read guideUAE boat operator licensing: who needs one, course content, fees, reciprocity between emirates, and how to convert a foreign licence.
Read guideUAE yacht insurance guide: mandatory coverage, hull & P&I costs, charter cover, named-perils vs all-risks, and how to file a claim.
Read guideDubai marina berthing fees by length and marina: Dubai Marina, Mina Rashid, Bluewaters, Palm Jumeirah. Annual vs monthly, deposits, and what's included.
Read guideUAE boat maintenance schedule and budget: anti-fouling, engine service, gelcoat, AC, generators, electronics. Plus how to find approved yards in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Read guideHow to register a jet ski in the UAE: authority, documents, fees, mandatory insurance, and the jet ski operator endorsement.
Read guideHow to import or export a yacht in the UAE: customs duty, 5% VAT, temporary admission, free-zone registration, and shipping logistics.
Read guidePlain-language UAE marine law guide: federal vs emirate authority, navigation rules, speed limits, restricted zones, fines, and Coast Guard powers.
Read guideUAE boat and yacht financing: which banks lend, deposit requirements, interest rates, eligibility, and how to structure a marine loan.
Read guideHow to buy a used yacht in the UAE safely: survey checklist, sea-trial protocol, ownership transfer, finance, and how to verify a seller.
Read guideUAE boat inspection process explained: pre-purchase surveys, registration inspections, insurance surveys, what gets checked, and how long each takes.
Read guideUAE marine survey guide: how to choose an approved surveyor, what's included in the scope of work, sample reports, and how to use findings to negotiate.
Read guideHow boats and yachts are classified in the UAE: pleasure vs commercial, size-based categories (under 7 m, 7–24 m, 24 m+), classification society rules (DNV, Lloyd's, BV, RINA), and when a class certificate is mandatory.
Read guideBrowse boats and yachts for sale, explore yacht rentals across the UAE, or read our buyer and seller guides.