Sandboarding in Dubai Desert – Beginner Guide & Safety Tips

Sandboarding is the playground moment of your desert safari. After dune bashing and before dinner, you slide down soft slopes on a board – like snowboarding, but warmer and usually much gentler.

Where sandboarding fits in your safari

Most operators offer sandboarding:

• Near the photo stop after dune bashing, or
• Inside or just outside the main desert camp.

Boards are usually included in the package and shared between guests.

How to stand on the board (basic stance)

• Place your front foot slightly angled across the board.
• Keep your back foot near the tail for control.
• Bend your knees softly and keep your weight centred.

If you are nervous, start by:

• Sitting or kneeling on the board for your first slide.
• Using smaller dunes before trying steeper slopes.

Clothing and safety

• Closed shoes or secure sandals (bare feet can get hot on the sand).
• Sunglasses to block blown sand.
• Light long sleeves if you plan many falls.

The sand is usually soft, and serious injuries are rare. Still:

• Avoid racing other people until you feel in control.
• Check the landing area is clear before sliding.
• Keep a safe distance from rocks, shrubs or fence posts.

Getting great sandboarding photos

• Shoot from slightly below the rider for drama.
• Use burst mode on your phone to catch mid-slide action.
• Capture both close-ups (faces, sand spray) and wide shots (tiny figure against huge dune).

Golden hour (late afternoon just before sunset) makes the sand glow and hides footprints.

Kids and sandboarding

Children often love sandboarding, but:

• Choose lower slopes for small kids.
• Let them start sitting on the board.
• Supervise closely and encourage helmets if available.

Bottom line

Sandboarding turns the dunes into a giant natural slide. You do not need previous snowboarding experience – just a sense of humour, willingness to get a little sandy and maybe an extra bottle of water for the climbs back up.