Looking for a new way to stay in Abu Dhabi? A night on a private houseboat is a fresh staycation idea, and with One Tours you can book the whole houseboat for one night, for AED 1,700. Think of it as a hotel room on the water, except the room floats, the view changes with the light and the guests on board are just the people you brought.
Below you will find what is on board, what the night involves, who enjoys it most, our two houseboats, the price, the extras you can add, how booking works and what to pack. If you would rather just ask, send us a message on WhatsApp.
Not a room in a floating hotel – the whole houseboat is yours
This is a new way to stay in Abu Dhabi. You are not booking one room in a building full of strangers: from 10:00 pm to 8:00 am the whole houseboat belongs to you and your group, for one price of AED 1,700.
- Wake up on the water: the master room has glass looking straight onto the water, so the view from the bed is the sea itself.
- Fall asleep to the waves: you feel the gentle rocking of the boat through the night.
- The whole boat is private: lounge, room and decks are yours from 10:00 pm to 8:00 am.
- Large lounge to relax, eat and talk together.
- Fridge and microwave to keep your snacks cold and warm up food.
- Electricity and internet: charge your phones and stay connected, with all the comforts you expect from a hotel room.
- Upper deck to sit outside under the night sky.
- A new spot, if you like: the houseboat can move and anchor at another spot on request. Just ask on WhatsApp; cruising is AED 1,000 per hour.
What is an overnight houseboat stay?
It is a night on one of our private houseboats instead of a night in a regular room in the city. You book the entire boat for your group, so you are not sharing the deck or the lounge with strangers, and the price is for the boat, not per person.
Compare it with a normal hotel night. In a hotel you get a room, a corridor, a lift and maybe a window with a view. On a houseboat the deck is your balcony, the water is right outside and the evening feels slower and quieter. It is simply a different way to spend a night in Abu Dhabi.
Check-in is at 10:00 pm and check-out is at 8:00 am the next morning. For the night, each houseboat has one master room on board. The houseboat stays anchored through the night, so you get a calm, quiet stay on the water. If you would like to cruise as well, cruising can be added at AED 1,000 per hour. Breakfast is not included, so plan your morning meal before you arrive. See the houseboats, photos and nightly price on our overnight houseboat stay page.
Who is it for?
- Couples who want an anniversary, a proposal evening or a quiet getaway that does not feel like every other weekend.
- Families looking for a staycation the children will actually remember, without a long drive or a flight.
- Friends who want their own private space for an evening of food, music and conversation on the water.
- Special occasions like birthdays, a surprise for a partner or a calm celebration after a busy month.
- Residents who know the city well and want to see it from the water for once, and visitors who want something more personal than a standard room.
Birthday on the water? Skip the hotel room and celebrate the birthday night on your own houseboat. Add a cake (AED 150) and decoration (from AED 150), tell us the plan on WhatsApp and wake up on the water the next morning.
Our two houseboats
You can choose between two luxury houseboats. Both are booked privately for your group, both have one master room for the night and both have the same nightly price.
Palm Houseboat (66 ft)
The more compact of the two, a good match for couples and anyone who wants a cosy, relaxed night. You can also see it on a daytime cruise on the Palm Houseboat page.
Lagoon Houseboat (82 ft)
The larger houseboat, with more length and more deck to spread out on, which suits families and friends who like a bit more room. Its daytime option is on the Lagoon Houseboat page.
Not sure which one fits your group? Tell us who is coming on WhatsApp and we will suggest the better match.
Price for a houseboat night in Abu Dhabi
The price is simple: one flat rate for the whole houseboat for one night, private for your group.
| Houseboat | Length | Price per night |
|---|---|---|
| Palm Houseboat | 66 ft | AED 1,700 |
| Lagoon Houseboat | 82 ft | AED 1,700 |
The boat stays anchored for the night. Cruising is optional and can be added at AED 1,000 per hour. We accept all major payment methods: Visa, Mastercard, Tabby (4 payments) and Tamara. Booking is done on WhatsApp, so just tell us how you would like to pay and we will arrange it with you.
Extras you can add
Want to make the night a little more special? You can add any of these when you book:
- Dinner: AED 150 per person.
- Cake: AED 150.
- Standard decoration: AED 150.
- Premium decoration: from AED 500.
- Cruising: AED 1,000 per hour.
Let us know on WhatsApp which extras you would like and we will add them to your booking.
How to book your night on the water
- Message us on WhatsApp at +971 56 671 9900 with your preferred date and the houseboat you like.
- Tell us about your group: your group size, any occasion you are celebrating and any extras you would like to add.
- Get the details confirmed: we reply with availability and confirm the set-up for your group on your date.
- Choose how to pay: Visa, Mastercard, or split with Tabby or Tamara.
- Receive the meeting point: the exact location is shared on WhatsApp after booking.
- Bring your ID: every guest needs an original passport or Emirates ID on the day.
What to bring
Pack the way you would for a short hotel stay, with a few extras for being on the water:
- Original passport or Emirates ID for every guest (this is required).
- Toiletries and any personal items you use every day.
- A change of clothes and something comfortable to sleep in.
- A light jacket or long sleeves, as evenings on the water can feel cooler and breezier.
- Swimwear, sunscreen and sunglasses.
- Phone charger and a power bank.
- Any medication you need, plus motion-sickness tablets if you are sensitive to movement.
Whether bedding and towels are provided is something we confirm on WhatsApp when you book. For a full packing checklist, see our guide on what to bring on a yacht trip.
Day cruise or overnight stay: which one to choose?
Both happen on the same houseboats, so the question is really how much time you want on board.
Choose a day cruise if you want a few hours on the water, a sunset outing, a short celebration or a fun afternoon with a group. Day cruises are booked by the hour on the Palm Houseboat and Lagoon Houseboat pages.
Choose the overnight stay if you want the whole evening without watching the clock, a night away that replaces a hotel booking, or a slower morning on the water. It is the better pick for staycations, anniversaries and anyone who wants the full experience rather than a short trip.
Want to compare more options first? Have a look at our houseboat rental guide for Abu Dhabi or browse all boats in Abu Dhabi.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a houseboat stay in Abu Dhabi cost?
AED 1,700 per night for the whole houseboat. The boat is private for your group, and the price is not per person. We accept Visa, Mastercard, Tabby and Tamara.
How many guests can stay overnight?
Each houseboat has one master room for the night. Tell us your group size on WhatsApp and we will confirm the right set-up for your night.
What is on board for the night?
One master room with glass looking straight onto the water, a large lounge, a fridge and a microwave, electricity and internet, and an upper deck to sit outside. The whole houseboat is yours from 10:00 pm to 8:00 am. Whether bedding and towels are provided is something we confirm on WhatsApp.
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is at 10:00 pm and check-out is at 8:00 am the next morning.
Is breakfast included?
No, breakfast is not included, so plan your morning meal before you arrive. Dinner can be added at AED 150 per person.
Does the houseboat cruise during the night?
The houseboat stays anchored for the night. If you would like to cruise, cruising can be added at AED 1,000 per hour. You can also ask on WhatsApp for the boat to move and anchor at another spot.
Can I add dinner, a cake or decoration?
Yes. Dinner is AED 150 per person, a cake is AED 150, standard decoration is AED 150 and premium decoration starts from AED 500. Tell us what you would like on WhatsApp and we will add it to your booking.
Where do we board the houseboat?
The houseboats are in Abu Dhabi. The exact meeting point is shared on WhatsApp after booking. Remember that every guest needs an original passport or Emirates ID.
Book your night on the water
If a night with the whole houseboat to yourselves sounds like your kind of staycation, pick your date and your houseboat and message us. We will check availability and confirm every detail with you. Chat with One Tours on WhatsApp.
