As the temperature in the country gradually drops, the much-awaited winter season is warmly embraced by residents. Among the various activities that people enjoy during this time, boating stands out as a popular choice. If you are fond of scenic boating trips at one of the UAE's numerous harbours, now is the perfect moment to set sail and witness a breathtaking sunset over the horizon.

To navigate a small boat in the UAE, you must possess a valid licence. These licences can be acquired after completing training at one of the country's several accredited schools. These certified institutions are spread across both Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Here is a comprehensive list of the schools:

Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy
Gulf Technical And Safety Training Center GTSC
Emirates Technical & Safety Development Center ETSDC
Abu Dhabi Marine Sports club
Al Bateen Marine Training Institute Est

Dubai
JLS Yachting Training Institute
Marine Concept Boating and Yachting Training
Al Bateen Marine Training
XCLUSIVE Sea School

All the aforementioned schools are authorized to issue licences for 12-metre boats. However, for 24-metre boats, only the following schools are certified: Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy, Gulf Technical And Safety Training Center GTSC, JLS Yachting Training Institute, and Marine Concept Boating and Yachting Training.

Requirements
Documents
These are the documents you need to apply for a licence.