Quad Biking in Dubaiwith theMX-Academy

Quad biking in Dubai puts you on the handlebars of an all-terrain vehicle in the dunes. Find out how tours and rentals work, what to wear, which rules apply and how a quad compares with buggies, 4x4s and motorbikes.

Red dunes such as the Lahbab DesertRental spots along the Dubai–Hatta road (E44)Minimum age set by each operatorAround six hours' flight from Switzerland

Motocross Dubai Desert ride Dubai

Quad biking in Dubai: riders on quad bikes are spread over a huge orange dune, with the moon in a pale sky — Photo: weirdweasel, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

What quad biking in Dubai is like

A quad bike is essentially a motorcycle with four wheels, also called an all-terrain vehicle or ATV. You sit astride the seat, and braking, steering and accelerating are all controlled from the handlebars. Low-pressure tyres carry it over soft ground, and the extra wheels give it more stability at low speed than a motorbike. Visit Dubai notes that motorbike riders instantly feel at ease on a quad.

Many rides take place in red sand. One typical guided outing heads into the Lahbab Desert, stops for photos along the way and ends in a Bedouin tent with Arabic coffee and dates. Some tours add a camel ride, while others combine quad biking in Dubai with a safari package, dinner and a show at a desert camp.

Quad bike Dubai: a long shaded shelter and low buildings next to open sand where quad bikes head for the dunes — Photo: Renek78, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Motocross in the dunes of Dubai: two riders on motocross bikes with sand spraying up behind them

MX-Academy Dubai

Ride the dunes yourself

In a 4x4, on a quad or in a buggy you see the desert – on a motocross bike you ride it. MX-Academy Dubai, the school of Chris Möckli and Mohammed Al Balooshi, takes you into the dunes on a guided desert ride in Dubai.

On the handlebars yourself instead of in the passenger seat
First the basics on the training track: riding standing up and in sand
Bike and a full set of protective gear for hire
Experienced desert riders as your guides, on a date of your choice

Desert ride Dubai Motocross training in Dubai

Three ways to book a quad bike tour in Dubai

How you book decides how long you ride, who goes with you and how much freedom you have. Compare what is really included – transfers, time on the quad, a guide and refreshments – because the three main options differ more than the photos suggest:

Guided quad bike tour: a guide leads a small group through the dunes, usually with hotel pick-up and photo stops
Extra on a desert safari: on many morning and evening trips, quads are not included and you pay for them at the camp
Rental by the road: several quad and buggy rental companies line the Dubai–Hatta road (E44), around 45 minutes out of the city, and you do not need to book ahead

Quad biking in the desert: a rider on a quad bike climbs a dune slope while the low sun shines over the ridge — Photo: Eva Marie D. Geonzon, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Where to ride: Lahbab, Big Red and the Hatta road

Red dunes are the classic setting. Some guided tours drive out to the Lahbab Desert, known for its red sand, and some morning safaris with an optional quad ride stop there too, about 45 minutes from Dubai. If you would rather arrive on your own, follow the Dubai–Hatta road (E44), where rental companies offer quads and buggies by the hour.

Further along the same highway lies Big Red, a giant dune that is popular with off-road drivers, and beyond it Hatta, about an hour's drive from Dubai, where the dunes meet rocky mountains. A rental by the road gives you freedom, but nobody shows you the terrain, so if it is your first time on a quad, a guided tour is the more relaxed choice.

Safety rules and what to wear on a quad

Quad biking in the desert is a self-drive activity, and operators state clearly that you ride at your own risk. Tours start with a safety briefing; listen closely and follow the guide's instructions for the whole ride. A helmet is standard, often together with gloves and goggles, and closed shoes are compulsory, so leave sandals and flip-flops at the hotel.

Sporty clothes such as a T-shirt with shorts or jeans are fine, and sunglasses or goggles help against glare and blowing sand. Minimum ages are set by each operator and vary noticeably, so check them before you book for a family with teenagers. Before you set off, ask how long you will actually ride and in which area, so you know what the price covers.

Quad bike tour in Dubai: a rider in a helmet steers a red quad through orange sand, two more quads behind — Photo: Bahnfrend, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Quad biking in the desert compared with the alternatives

On a quad you sit astride and steer with handlebars, much like on a motorbike, while four wheels give you more stability at low speed. A dune buggy works more like a small open car, with pedals, a steering wheel, a harness and a roll cage. On a classic dune bashing trip in a 4x4 you do not drive at all. The table puts the options side by side.

	Quad bike	Dune buggy	Dune bashing (4x4)	Motocross
Controls	Handlebars for steering, throttle and brakes	Steering wheel and pedals	None – a desert driver steers	Handlebars, and you ride the bike yourself
Seating	Astride, as on a motorbike	Seat with harness inside a roll cage	Car seat with belt, often shared with other guests	Mostly standing up in the sand, practised first on a training track
Gear	Helmet, often with gloves and goggles	Helmet and goggles on many tours	No special gear needed	Motorbike and full protective gear can be hired
Where to book	Guided tour, safari camp or rental on the E44	Guided tour or rental on the E44	Morning, evening or night safari	On your chosen date, with experienced desert riders guiding you

Why the MX-Academy sticks to motorbikes

If a quad gives you a taste for steering through sand, the next step has two wheels. The MX-Academy does not rent quads or run quad tours. MX-Academy Dubai is dedicated to motocross and enduro riding in the sand, with guides whose background is motocross and rally riding and who know the local dunes. On a bike, balance and body position matter far more, because two wheels do not hold you up on their own.

You choose the date. Book the complete MX package, or organise your flight and hotel yourself and simply contact the MX-Academy for a desert ride in Dubai. For more ideas between riding days, see our pages on adventure activities in Dubai and things to do in Dubai.

Quad biking in Dubai versus motorbikes: four riders in helmets with motocross bikes on rippled orange dunes — Photo: Charbel Zakhour, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

FAQ: Quad Biking in Dubai

Where can you go quad biking in Dubai?

Some guided tours head to the red dunes of the Lahbab Desert, many safari camps offer quads as an extra, and rental companies line the Dubai–Hatta road (E44).

Is quad biking included in a desert safari?

Often not. On many safaris, quad bikes are an optional extra that you book and pay for at the camp, so check the inclusions before you book.

How old do you have to be to ride a quad bike in Dubai?

There is no single age limit. Each operator sets its own minimum age for riders, and the limits differ, so ask before you book, especially for teenagers.

What should I wear for quad biking?

Sporty clothes and closed shoes; sandals and flip-flops are not allowed. Operators provide a helmet, often with gloves and goggles.

Does the MX-Academy offer quad tours in Dubai?

No. MX-Academy Dubai focuses on motocross and enduro bikes in the desert, and you can book a desert ride on a date of your choice.