Hatta in a nutshell
Hatta lies in the Hajar mountains and belongs to Dubai. It has a dam with a turquoise reservoir, a heritage village, mountain bike routes and a hub with outdoor activities. It has no sand dunes and no safari camps, so it works as a change of scene from the desert, not as a safari alternative.
This is an independent guide, not run by the tourism authority, the dam operator, the kayak company or the resort group. Prices are in UAE dirhams (AED) as listed in 2026. Some facts, such as opening times, are listed differently by different sources, and this page says so instead of picking one.
Getting to Hatta
Two ways, and one route to avoid by accident.
| Option | Time | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car via Sharjah and Kalba (E102) | About 90 minutes | – | Stays within the UAE, no planned Oman entry |
| Hatta Express H02 | About 1.5 hours | AED 25 | Dubai Mall to Hatta Main Bus Station; pay with nol |
| Route on the E44 | – | – | Recommended by Dubai's tourism portal; check your navigation so you do not enter Oman by accident |
Do not follow a navigation app through Oman unless you have checked entry rules and the terms of your rental car. The drive passes through Sharjah, where drinking and possessing alcohol is prohibited. Check the current H02 timetable and the local bus line in Hatta before you go, because line numbers and frequencies have been reported differently.
Our pick: Hatta from Dubai
Hatta is a mountain trip, not a desert one, and this day tour combines the dam, the heritage village and kayaking with pickup in Dubai.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Hatta tours and day trips
Mountain and lake trips, desert safaris and more from Dubai, with live prices and availability.
Kayaks and boats on the dam
Prices and limits listed by the kayak operator in 2026.
The kayak operator lists daily hours from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dubai's tourism portal says kayaking stays open in summer, when other Hatta activities close for the season. Kayak prices are for an "unlimited ride".
| Boat | Price | Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Single kayak | AED 75 | 1 adult over 16, max 110 kg |
| Double kayak | AED 150 | 2 adults and 1 child aged 2 to 4, max 110 kg per person |
| Single water bike | AED 75 | Max 75 kg |
| Yellow boat | AED 180 per hour | – |
| Donut boat | AED 360 per hour | – |
Children must go with at least one adult, and swapping boats with other customers during the ride is not allowed. The tourism portal mentions weather-related cancellations and a lower but real chance of rain and storms in winter. Do not assume that swimming in the reservoir is allowed.
Season and opening times 2026
Sources do not agree, so check on the day.
The new season
On September 16, 2026, Dubai Holding announced that the resorts and activities of Hatta reopen for season 9 on September 28, 2026, with new and refurbished stays and activities. Not everything is open year-round. A camp called Caravan Hatta by Our Habitas is described as coming, not as open.
The hub: two sets of times
The Hatta visitor information lists the season from October 1 to May 5, daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., with activities bookable on site only. A notice on the Hatta Outdoor page, shown on October 19, 2026, lists September 28 to May 31, Sunday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Confirm the times on the day.
Hatta Heritage Village
The Dubai Municipality lists free entry from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. The Hatta visitor information lists the same hours from Saturday to Thursday and a start at 2:30 p.m. on Friday. Plan for a later Friday start, and do not count on a fixed day off.
Mountain biking
Routes range from beginner to experienced cross-country rides. Ask locally for the current routes and any closed sections, and for rental and guide prices.
Weather and safety in the mountains
Wadis behave differently from dunes.
Germany's Federal Foreign Office warns of heavy rain, flooding and flash floods in wadis, especially in winter. Leave a wadi when a warning is issued. The wadi in the photo has trees and looks calm, but water can arrive fast after rain far away.
Summer days are hot, and some Hatta attractions close for the season while kayaking stays open. The best time guide has the long-term monthly averages for Dubai, which is not the same as the mountain climate of Hatta.
Best time for the Dubai desert →
Pair Hatta with the desert
Other pages for the same trip.
Hatta: frequently asked questions
Is Hatta a desert safari?
No. Hatta is a mountain and lake destination in the Hajar region. A desert safari takes place in dunes, and Hatta has no dune landscape.
How do I get from Dubai to Hatta?
By car, the listed route via Sharjah and Kalba (E102) takes about 90 minutes. By bus, the H02 Hatta Express runs from Dubai Mall to the Hatta Main Bus Station in about 1.5 hours for AED 25, paid with a nol card. Check the current timetable.
How much does a kayak cost in Hatta?
The operator lists AED 75 for a single kayak and AED 150 for a double kayak in 2026, both for an unlimited ride. The listing also gives weight limits and age rules.
When is Hatta open?
Sources differ. One lists October 1 to May 5, another September 28 to May 31, and season 9 was announced for September 28, 2026. Kayaking is listed as open daily, including in summer. Check on the day.
What do travel advisories say about the UAE?
Germany's Federal Foreign Office has advised against non-essential travel to the UAE since September 30, 2026 (status October 21, 2026), citing a volatile regional situation and the risk of airspace closures. The UK FCDO updated its advice on July 24, 2026 and points to the risk of further escalation, flight cancellations and temporary airspace closures. The US State Department has listed the UAE at Level 3, Reconsider travel, since August 29, 2026, citing terrorism and armed conflict. Read your own government's current advice before you book, and choose flexible cancellation terms.