For all adrenaline junkies, here is a list of locations where you can go dune bashing in UAE. Dune bashing is best done in the hours before sunset.Be ready with your 4×4, ensure it is in perfect condition or you can just hire a local tour company which offers good desert packages.
Liwa Desert
Liwa is situated south-west of Abu Dhabi on the edge of the great Empty Quarter desert, the Rub Al Khali.Liwa – the barren desert region extends from the southern part of Abu Dhabi, all the way to the border with Saudi Arabia covering a vast area.Take a drive to the Empty Quarter Desert, the largest in Arabia for the desert adventure of a lifetime.
Also, a week-long Liwa festival is conducted where the main challenge is to scale the Moreeb dune, which stands over 300m high and at an angle of 50 degrees. It is also called the ??terrifying mountain? ,which is a great place for dune bashing experts.
Drive time : 3 hours or more from Dubai
Sweihan
Sweihan – also known as “little Liwa” is located in Abu Dhabi, it is on the border of three cities: Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Al Ain. With its big sand dunes and soft sands, it is a great place for masters in dune bashing to try their skills. A super spot for dune bashing in this area is Naqrah, a sand dune located deep in the Sweihan desert.
Drive time (from Dubai) I hr 15 mins
Bidayer
This is one of the most popular dune bashing sites in the UAE.This is also called “Big Red” because it??s really big and the sand has a dark red colour to it. It is a favourite place for motorists as this has the easiest dunes that can be managed by amateurs and professionals.The Big Red dune is easy to spot along the Dubai-Hatta Road (E44) or the Oman Road (E66) as the landscape changes shape and colour from yellow to red.
Drive time 45 minutes from Dubai
Al Faya Desert
Also known as “Big Fall”, it is a spectacular desert of ruby sand which can be found Riding along the Sharjah-Kalba Road, towards the east-coast exclaves.This place is favoured by both amateurs and skilled drivers due to its dunes which are bigger than Al Bidayer.It is also an excellent place to camp which also makes it popular among tourists.
Drive time 50 mins from Dubai