What to Wear for Jet Skiing in Dubai: Complete Packing Guide
📖 3 min read | Last Updated: January 1, 2026
“Swimsuit, done, right?”
Not quite.
The details matter more than you’d expect.
The right preparation means comfort and focus on the experience.
Wrong choices turn a great ride into an uncomfortable one.
Quick Checklist
✅ Wear
- 🌊 Secure swimwear (sports-style)
- 🌊 Water shoes or strapped sandals
- 🌊 Waterproof SPF 50+ sunscreen
- 🌊 Sunglasses with strap
✅ Bring
- 🌊 Waterproof phone case
- 🌊 Hair tie (if needed)
- 🌊 Towel and dry clothes (for after)
❌ Leave Behind
- 🌊 Jewelry
- 🌊 Flip-flops
- 🌊 Loose hats
- ❌ Non-waterproof electronics
- 🌊 Watches (unless water-rated)
Swimwear: The Foundation
For Women
Priority: Security.
You’ll be moving at speed, taking waves, possibly falling in water. Fashion-focused options with delicate ties won’t work.
Ideal:
– 🌊 Sports-style bikini or one-piece
– 🌊 Secure straps
– 🌊 Snug fit
– 🌊 Bottoms that stay put when climbing back on
Avoid:
– ⚓ Decorative elements that catch on equipment
– 🌊 Minimal coverage that shifts during movement
For Men
Key considerations: Fit and material.
Ideal:
– 🌊 Board shorts in quick-dry material
– ❌ Fitted but not restrictive
– 🌊 Synthetic (drains immediately, dries in minutes)
Avoid:
– 🌊 Very loose styles (drag when wet, ride up)
– 🌊 Cotton (heavy, stays wet for hours)
Footwear: More Important Than You Think
Many visitors underestimate this.
❌ Barefoot Problems
- 🌊 Hot dock surfaces (summer can burn feet)
- 🌊 Slippery surfaces
- 🏄 Harder to board jet ski
- 🌊 Uncomfortable walk back
❌ Flip-Flops Problems
One enthusiastic throttle burst = your sandal floating behind you.
This happens constantly.
✅ The Solution
Water shoes — best option:
– 🌊 Protect feet
– 🌊 Provide grip on wet surfaces
– 🌊 Stay on at speed
– 🌊 Dry quickly
– 🌊 Cost AED 50-100
Sport sandals with ankle straps — also work:
– 🌊 Teva or Chaco style
– 🌊 Key: strap keeps them attached
💡 If you only have flip-flops: Barefoot is better than losing them in the Gulf.
Sun Protection: The Serious Part
Dubai sun + water reflection = roughly DOUBLE UV exposure.
Burns happen fast, often before you realize.
The Protocol
| Step | Details |
|---|---|
| Use SPF 50+ | Waterproof/sport formulation |
| Apply 20-30 min before | Gives time to bind to skin |
| Cover everything | Ears, back of neck, tops of feet, behind knees |
| Consider rash guard | Physical UV blocking for longer sessions |
You cannot reapply during your ride. Thorough initial application matters.
⚠️ A serious burn on day one can affect your entire trip. Take this seriously.
Eye Protection
Sunglasses are functional, not just comfort accessories.
Why:
– 🌊 Water glare can be genuinely painful
– 🌊 Harder to see where you’re going
– 🌊 Polarized lenses specifically reduce water glare
Critical addition: Secure strap (Croakies, floating straps)
Without a strap:
– 🌊 One wave over the bow
– 🌊 Sunglasses gone
Cost: Almost nothing. Saves expensive eyewear from the sea.
Hair Management
At 50 km/h, long hair becomes a tangled, face-whipping problem.
If your hair is long enough to interfere:
- ✅ Ponytail or braid
- ✅ Swimming cap (for very long hair)
- ✅ Secure BEFORE boarding
No convenient opportunity to fix hair once you’re underway.
Phone Protection
Want photos? Your phone needs genuinely waterproof protection.
Not water-resistant.
Not somewhat sealed.
Waterproof..
Pouch-Style Cases
- 🌊 Protect phone
- 📸 Allow photos through clear material
- 🌊 Lanyard secures to life jacket or neck
Before the Ride
Test your case:
1. Fill a sink
2. Put sealed (empty) case in for several minutes
3. Check for leakage
Manufacturing defects exist. Discovering them after your phone is underwater = too late.
What the Operator Provides
Don’t worry about obtaining:
| Item | Provided? |
|---|---|
| Life jacket | ✅ Always (mandatory) |
| Safety lanyard | ✅ Always |
| Wetsuit (cold months) | Sometimes |
| Locker storage | Sometimes |
| Towels | Sometimes |
Ask what’s included when you book.
What to Leave Behind
Jewelry
- ❌ Rings (catch on equipment)
- ❌ Necklaces (strangulation hazards)
- ❌ Non-waterproof watches (destroyed by salt water)
- ❌ Loose earrings (will be lost)
Speed + spray + potential falls = anything removable is at risk.
Other Items
- ❌ Expensive sunglasses without strap
- ❌ Electronics without waterproof protection
- ❌ Significant cash
- ❌ Cotton clothes (heavy when wet)
- ❌ Loose hats (fly off immediately)
Seasonal Adjustments
Summer (May-September)
- 🌊 Air regularly exceeds 40°C
- 🌊 Light rash guard protects from UV without adding warmth
- 🌊 Schedule early morning when temps are tolerable
Winter (November-March)
- 🌊 Comfortable conditions anytime
- ❌ Water warm enough (no wetsuit needed for most)
- 🌊 Rash guard provides light warmth against wind chill
Shoulder Seasons
- 🌊 Morning = cooler
- ❌ Afternoon = warmer
- 🌊 Adjust accordingly
💡 Best Experience: Morning sessions (7-10 AM) offer the calmest water and best light for photos.
After the Ride
Plan for post-ride comfort:
| Item | Why |
|---|---|
| Dry towel | Salt water doesn’t dry pleasantly |
| Fresh water rinse | Removes salt (if no showers available) |
| Dry clothes | Wet swimwear = uncomfortable journey back |
| Flip-flops | Fine for after (speed no longer matters) |
| Snacks and water | You’ll be hungry and thirsty |
Summary
Wear:
– 🌊 Secure swimwear
– 🌊 Water shoes or strapped sandals
– 🌊 Serious sunscreen
– 🌊 Sunglasses with strap
– 🌊 Hair secured if needed
Bring:
– 🌊 Waterproof phone case
– 🌊 Dry clothes and towel for after
Operator provides:
– 🌊 Life jacket and safety equipment
Proper preparation isn’t complicated, but it makes a noticeable difference.
Book Your Experience
At Volna Tours:
- ✅ Life jackets always provided
- ✅ Locker storage available
- ✅ Pre-ride reminders about essentials
- ✅ Staff who’ve seen every preparation mistake
Written by Volna Tours Team
“Professional water sports operators with 5+ years of experience in Dubai. Licensed by Dubai Maritime City Authority. We provide safe, memorable jet ski, parasailing, and jet car experiences across Dubai’s best locations.”
— Licensed Operator | Dubai Maritime City Authority