# Dubai Water Canal

> Dubai Water Canal is a 3.2 km man-made waterway from Business Bay to the sea at Jumeirah, with promenades, a cycle track and the Tolerance Bridge. It's free and open 24/7; only abras and ferries cost money. Allow an hour, after dark, when the waterfall pours off the Sheikh Zayed Road bridge. Burj Khalifa is 10 minutes away by taxi.

Web page: https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/dubai-canal

- City: [Dubai](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai), United Arab Emirates
- YesGo score: 39/100 (Yes, if nearby)
- Time on site: 1 h
- Opening hours: Promenade open 24 hours; waterfall in the evening; abras and ferries on RTA timetables
- With kids: Fine with kids
- Entry: Free — it's a public waterfront
- Open: 24 hours, every day
- Waterfall on the Sheikh Zayed Road bridge: Evenings, roughly 20:00–22:00 — unofficial; it pauses while a boat passes underneath
- TR6 abra round trip: From Sheikh Zayed Road station, daily 16:00–22:15; AED 25 per adult, under-2s free, leaves once 6 people are aboard
- DC2 abra through Business Bay: AED 2 per stop: Sheikh Zayed Road — Godolphin — Business Bay — Marasi — Al Wajeha Al Maeyah
- Dubai Ferry FR1: Dubai Canal → Al Ghubaiba at 14:25 and 19:25, back at 13:00 and 18:00; AED 25 Silver, AED 35 Gold
- Dubai Ferry FR2: Dubai Canal → Bluewaters at 13:50 and 18:50; AED 25 / 35, under-5s free
- Paying on the water: Cash, nol card or bank card at every marine station
- Metro: Red Line, Business Bay station; about 15 minutes' walk to the Sheikh Zayed Road bridge
- Fare on a Silver nol card: AED 3 within one zone, AED 5 for two zones
- Tracks: Running track ≈ 3 km, cycle lane ≈ 12 km along both banks
- Coordinates: 25.19779, 55.23379
- Facts checked: 03.11.2026

## Key facts

- **3.2 km** — length of the canal, from Business Bay to the Gulf (source: English Wikipedia, Dubai Canal; Khaleej Times, Dubai Water Canal: facts and figures)
- **November 2016** — opened to boats and walkers (Wikipedia gives 9 November) (source: English Wikipedia, Dubai Canal; Khaleej Times)
- **8.5 m** — clearance under the footbridges, high enough for boats (source: English Wikipedia, Dubai Canal; Khaleej Times, Dubai Water Canal: facts and figures)
- **80–120 m** — width of the canal (source: English Wikipedia, Dubai Canal; Khaleej Times)
- **up to 6 m** — depth (about 4 m at low tide) (source: English Wikipedia, Dubai Canal; Khaleej Times)
- **32 m** — the longest boat allowed on the canal (source: English Wikipedia, Dubai Canal; Khaleej Times)
- **16 lanes** — on the Sheikh Zayed Road bridge over the canal, 8 each way (source: Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) project page; English Wikipedia, Dubai Canal)
- **3 footbridges** — for walkers and cyclists; RTA counts 4 crossings, one with shops and cafés (source: English Wikipedia, Dubai Canal; Khaleej Times; RTA project page)
- **Tolerance Bridge** — formerly the Twisted Bridge — a footbridge by Al Safa Park (source: English Wikipedia, Dubai Canal; RTA abra map, September 2026)
- **4 marine stations** — for abras and ferries along the canal (source: RTA project page; English Wikipedia, Dubai Canal)

## Is Dubai Water Canal worth visiting?

Worth an evening if you've already ticked off the big sights. The canal is free, quiet compared with Downtown, and the waterfall off the Sheikh Zayed Road bridge plus the lit-up Tolerance Bridge make a good after-dinner walk. It sits right next to Downtown, so it's easy to add to a [Burj Khalifa](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/burj-khalifa) day.

Skip it if you only have one night in Dubai: the [Dubai Fountain](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/dubai-fountain) and [Dubai Marina](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/dubai-marina) have more going on, with more cafés and a livelier crowd. And don't come at midday in summer — there's hardly any shade.

> **Too hot by day from May to September** The promenade is wide open to the sun and summer afternoons are brutal. Come after sunset: the heat eases, the bridges light up, the waterfall switches on and the abras are running. Carry water — kiosks are few and the stretches between bridges are long.

## What is Dubai Water Canal?

**Dubai Water Canal** is a man-made waterway that extends [Dubai Creek](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/dubai-creek) through the Business Bay district and out to the Arabian Gulf at Jumeirah. It's 3.2 km long, 80–120 m wide and up to 6 m deep, and it opened in November 2016 — turning old Dubai and the Creek into, technically, an island.

For visitors it's a long, free waterfront rather than an attraction. Footpaths, a running track and a cycle lane run along both banks; three footbridges cross 8.5 m above the water, alongside the road bridges of Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Wasl Road and Jumeirah Road. There's no gate, no ticket and no closing time.

Think of it in three parts. The east end is Business Bay's towers and the Sheikh Zayed Road bridge with its waterfall, 15 minutes' walk from the metro. The middle is the Tolerance Bridge by Al Safa Park. The west end meets the sea at Jumeirah, with a pier and open views of the Gulf. Walking the whole thing one way takes about an hour.

## Dubai Canal waterfall timings

The waterfall pours from the Sheikh Zayed Road bridge straight into the canal, and it's the canal's signature night view. Travel guides put it at roughly 20:00 to 22:00 in the evening; RTA doesn't publish a schedule, so treat that as unofficial and aim to arrive by eight.

One thing to know: the bridge has motion sensors, and the water stops whenever a boat or abra passes underneath — RTA describes this in its maintenance notice. If it cuts out, wait a couple of minutes for the boat to clear and it comes back on.

For photos, stand on the promenade by Sheikh Zayed Road marine station or the nearby footbridges, with Business Bay's towers behind the falling water. Better still, see it from the water: the TR6 abra loop starts from that very station.

## How to get to Dubai Water Canal from Downtown

1. From Burj Khalifa, follow the covered walkway through Dubai Mall to **Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall** station on the Red Line. Buses and taxis can't pull up at the station during its expansion, so pick up taxis at the mall.
2. Buy a nol card or a single-use Red Ticket at the ticket office or machine — metro gates take nol, not bank cards. A one-zone trip on a Silver card is AED 3.
3. Ride **one stop** west, towards Expo 2020 and Jebel Ali, to **Business Bay** — 2–3 minutes.
4. Use the station footbridge to cross Sheikh Zayed Road, then walk south-west alongside the highway to the canal bridge — about 1 km, 15 minutes. A lift and stairs take you down to the promenade and Sheikh Zayed Road marine station.
5. From there it's about 1 km along the water to the Tolerance Bridge, and another 1.5 km or so to the sea at Jumeirah.
6. By taxi from Downtown to the Tolerance Bridge or the Sheikh Zayed Road promenade, allow about 10 minutes outside rush hour. Dubai taxis take bank cards; Careem and Uber work too.
7. You can also arrive by boat at the sea end: Dubai Ferry **FR1** leaves Al Ghubaiba in old Dubai at 13:00 and 18:00, and **FR2** comes from Bluewaters — both stop at Dubai Canal station.

## Abra rides and ferries on the canal

The cheapest ride is the public **DC2** abra: AED 2 per stop on the line Sheikh Zayed Road — Godolphin — Business Bay — Marasi — Al Wajeha Al Maeyah. It heads deep into Business Bay between the towers, roughly 08:00 to 21:45, every 40–50 minutes. It's transport, not a tour, but the views are the same.

For a sightseeing loop, RTA runs the **TR6** round-trip abra from Sheikh Zayed Road station every day from 16:00 to 22:15. It's AED 25 per adult and free for under-2s, but it only leaves once six passengers are on board. You can also hire the whole abra for an hour for AED 300 — good value for a group or family.

Dubai Ferry links the sea end of the canal with old Dubai and Bluewaters Island: FR1 to Al Ghubaiba departs at 14:25 and 19:25, FR2 to Bluewaters at 13:50 and 18:50. Fares are AED 25 in Silver class and AED 35 in Gold, free under five. At every marine station you can pay with cash, a nol card or a bank card.

Private dinner dhows on the canal are sold by plenty of operators at very different prices. Ask whether the boat passes under the waterfall and whether it heads out into the Gulf.

## Things to do at Dubai Water Canal

- **Watch the waterfall** pour off the 16-lane Sheikh Zayed Road bridge, lit up after dark.
- **Cross the Tolerance Bridge** — a curving footbridge by Al Safa Park, formerly called the Twisted Bridge, with views both ways along the canal and to the Downtown skyline.
- **Look up at Business Bay** — the twin JW Marriott Marquis towers and the high-rises along the water, with Burj Khalifa behind.
- **Catch sunset at the sea end** — the pier and breakwaters at Jumeirah, where the canal meets the Gulf and the horizon is open.
- **Take an abra** — AED 2 on the DC2 line or the TR6 loop for AED 25.
- **Run or cycle** — separate tracks run along both banks, one of the few car-free waterside stretches in central Dubai.

## Tolerance Bridge: where it is

The Tolerance Bridge is a footbridge and cycle bridge across the middle of the canal, next to Al Safa Park and the Al Wasl Road bridge. It was called the Twisted Bridge for its curving shape until it was renamed — in November 2017, according to Wikipedia.

It's about 1 km along the water from the Sheikh Zayed Road promenade, a 12–15 minute walk, and Al Wasl marine station is right beside it. Lit up at night, it's the canal's second-best photo spot after the waterfall.

## How long to spend and when to go

An hour covers the essentials: down to the water at Sheikh Zayed Road, the waterfall, and a walk to the Tolerance Bridge. Add an abra ride or walk all the way to the sea and you'll want two to three hours. From November to March the evenings are perfect for walking; in summer, go only after sunset.

A good evening: 18:00–19:00 on the promenade and the Tolerance Bridge for sunset, back to the waterfall by 20:00, then the TR6 abra or a taxi back to Downtown. If you only want the waterfall, 30–40 minutes is plenty.

Runners and cyclists use the canal in the cool early mornings, which is also when you'll have it almost to yourself — but the waterfall and abra loop are evening-only.

## Dubai Water Canal vs Dubai Marina vs Dubai Creek

|  | Dubai Water Canal | Dubai Marina | Dubai Creek |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| What it is | 3.2 km man-made canal through Business Bay to the sea | Canal lined with towers in west Dubai | Natural inlet in old Dubai |
| Entry | Free | Free | Free |
| On the water | TR6 abra loop AED 25, DC2 AED 2 | TR8 abra loop AED 25 | Cross-creek abra CR1, CR2 AED 1 |
| Metro | Business Bay, Red Line | Sobha Realty and DMCC, Red Line | Al Ghubaiba, Al Fahidi, Green Line |
| Highlight | Bridge waterfall and Tolerance Bridge | Evening promenade among towers | Old souks and wooden abras |

The canal is the closest to Burj Khalifa, so it slots into a Downtown evening. The marina is 20 km west and the Creek is up in old Dubai — give each its own evening. Fares are official RTA prices.

## Before you go: checklist

- [ ] nol card topped up for the metro and abra
- [ ] Heading out after 18:00, at the waterfall by 20:00
- [ ] Water bottle
- [ ] Comfortable shoes — it's about 1 km from the metro to the water
- [ ] A little cash for the abra or taxi
- [ ] Way back sorted: Business Bay metro or a taxi from the bridge

## Dubai by the water, compared

Every waterside place in Dubai rated by YesGo.

- [Burj Al Arab](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/burj-al-arab) — YesGo score 59/100 (Yes, go) · 30 min · Free to view; closed inside
- [Palm Jumeirah](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/palm-jumeirah) — YesGo score 52/100 (Yes, go) · 2 h · Island free, The View from AED 80
- [The Dubai Fountain](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/dubai-fountain) — YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · Free; Boardwalk and abra ride paid
- [Dubai Creek and the abra crossing](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/dubai-creek) — YesGo score 40/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Abra AED 1–2, waterfronts free
- [Dubai Water Canal](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/dubai-canal) — YesGo score 39/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free; abra rides from AED 2
- [Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/ras-al-khor) — YesGo score 39/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · Free
- [Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/dubai-aquarium) — YesGo score 38/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free view; tunnel ≈ AED 199
- [Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood (Old Dubai)](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/al-fahidi) — YesGo score 37/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Free to walk
- [Dubai Marina](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/dubai-marina) — YesGo score 33/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Free; boats and cruises extra
- [Madinat Jumeirah and Souk Madinat](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/madinat-jumeirah) — YesGo score 29/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Free entry; abra ride AED 100
- [Al Shindagha Museum](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/al-shindagha) — YesGo score 28/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · AED 50; students 5–24 AED 20
- [Atlantis, The Palm](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/atlantis-the-palm) — YesGo score 27/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Aquarium ≈ AED 125, waterpark ≈ AED 300
- [JBR Beach and The Walk](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/jbr-beach) — YesGo score 26/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · Free; sunbed AED 125
- [Al Mamzar Beach Park](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/al-mamzar-beach-park) — YesGo score 21/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · AED 5, car AED 30

## Downtown and the canal in half a day

Jumeirah Mosque in the morning, Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall in the afternoon, the canal and waterfall after dark.

1. [Jumeirah Mosque](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/jumeirah-mosque) — YesGo score 34/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · AED 45 · guided tour only
2. [Burj Khalifa](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/burj-khalifa) — YesGo score 79/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 30 min · from AED 189
3. [The Dubai Mall](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/dubai-mall) — YesGo score 56/100 (Yes, go) · 2 h · Free entry
4. [Dubai Water Canal](https://yesgo.io/united-arab-emirates/dubai/dubai-canal) — YesGo score 39/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free; abra rides from AED 2

## Good to know

Dubai Water Canal isn't the Dubai Marina canal — that one runs between towers 20 km further west. It isn't Dubai Creek either: the Creek is the natural inlet in old Dubai, and the canal is its man-made extension to the sea. The Red Line station names around here have changed several times, so check the current name on the RTA map.

## Tips

- Be at the waterfall by 20:00 — there's no official schedule, and it may switch off later.
- If the water stops, hang on: sensors pause it while a boat passes under the bridge.
- The DC2 abra at AED 2 is the cheapest way to float between Business Bay's towers.
- The TR6 loop needs six passengers — on a quiet weeknight you may have to wait.
- Watch sunset at the sea end in Jumeirah, not by the highway — the horizon is open there.
- Take a taxi to the Tolerance Bridge and walk back along the water to Business Bay metro, so you never retrace your steps.

## Questions

### Is Dubai Water Canal free?

Yes. The promenade is public and open 24 hours. You only pay for abras, ferries and private cruises.

### What time does the Dubai Canal waterfall run?

In the evening, roughly 20:00 to 22:00 according to travel guides — RTA publishes no official schedule. It pauses whenever a boat passes underneath.

### How do I get to Dubai Water Canal by metro?

Take the Red Line to Business Bay, one stop from Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall. Cross Sheikh Zayed Road and walk about 15 minutes to the canal bridge, where a lift takes you down to the water.

### Can I pay for the metro with a bank card?

Plan on a nol card or a Red Ticket from the station ticket office or machine. Abras and ferries on the canal do accept bank cards, cash and nol; taxis take cards too.

### How much is an abra ride on Dubai Canal?

AED 2 per stop on the DC2 line, AED 25 for the TR6 round trip from Sheikh Zayed Road station, or AED 300 to hire the abra for an hour.

### Where is the Tolerance Bridge?

In the middle of the canal next to Al Safa Park and the Al Wasl Road bridge, about 1 km from Sheikh Zayed Road.

### How long should I spend at Dubai Water Canal?

About an hour for the waterfall and the Tolerance Bridge; two to three hours if you add an abra ride or walk to the sea.

### Can you cycle along Dubai Water Canal?

Yes. Separate cycle lanes and running tracks run along both banks — around 12 km and 3 km according to Khaleej Times.

### What is the best time to visit Dubai Water Canal?

Evenings between November and March. In summer, only after sunset — the promenade has almost no shade.

### Is Dubai Water Canal the same as Dubai Marina?

No. The canal runs through Business Bay near Burj Khalifa; Dubai Marina has its own canal 20 km west.

## How we checked

Abra and ferry routes, times, fares and payment methods come from RTA's official September 2026 timetables and are marked official. Length, width, depth, bridge clearance and maximum boat size are checked against English Wikipedia and Khaleej Times; Khaleej Times gives depth as 4 m at low tide and 6 m at high tide, Wikipedia 6 m. Sources differ on the exact opening date (Wikipedia says 9 November 2016), so we say November 2016. Footbridge counts differ too — three across the canal per Wikipedia and Khaleej Times, four crossings per RTA — so we show both. The waterfall hours (about 20:00–22:00) are unofficial, from travel guides: RTA confirms the sensors and maintenance but publishes no schedule, and we found no 2026 report on its status. Track lengths come from Khaleej Times only. The walking route from Business Bay metro follows Khaleej Times (2016) and the map; walking and taxi times are our own off-peak estimates.

## Sources

- Roads and Transport Authority of Dubai (RTA): Abra Rides — Timings & Destinations, September 2026 (routes DC2, TR6, fares, payment)
- Roads and Transport Authority of Dubai (RTA): Ferry rides — Timetables & Routes, September 2026 (routes FR1, FR2, fares)
- Roads and Transport Authority of Dubai (RTA): Dubai Water Canal project page — bridges, crossings, marine stations
- Roads and Transport Authority of Dubai (RTA): news release on the canal bridge waterfall maintenance, 21.02.2024
- Roads and Transport Authority of Dubai (RTA): nol Fares
- English Wikipedia: Dubai Canal; Wikidata Q20402852
- Khaleej Times: Dubai Water Canal — facts and figures every UAE resident should be proud of
- Khaleej Times: This is how you go to Dubai Canal, 21.11.2016

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