The best activities for a group trip to Dubai

Spend a day sailing stylishly through the smooth waves aboard a chartered yacht with the help of a trained crew. You'll capture enviable pictures of Burj Al Arab, Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah from a whole new perspective – for something off the beaten path, you can even choose a tailor-made itinerary based on what your friends want to see. Drop anchor in the depths of the Arabian Gulf for a spot of swimming in warmer waters, or throw out a line to reel in lunch – great memories on the high seas await.

Head out for an action-packed adventure at The Smash Room, a blood-pumping, thrilling concept, spelling equal parts fun and crazy. Armed with a mallet and cloaked in protective gear, visitors can go wild and smash apart the provided plates, vases, electronics, white goods and other household appliances. Let out your wild side during an intense cardiovascular exercise set to a heart-pumping, high-energy soundtrack. You can book a session at their flagship location in Al Quoz or have a smashing time at the Last Exit outpost, where you can enjoy delicious treats from the nearby food trucks.

Part escape-room, part teamwork, TEPfactor is a curious adventure experience that puts your critical thinking skills into overdrive. The mysterious cave-like venue hosts 21 different challenge rooms, where guests have to decipher instructions, locate clues and put snippets of information together to solve puzzles and 'escape'. Great for groups of friends or family, teams of two to six people can explore challenges that tackle fitness, logic, skill and patience. Larger groups can split into multiple teams to race for the ultimate win. It is located in the Bahar Building at The Walk at JBR, where you can follow up your victory with a dinner at the bustling food haunts that make this neighbourhood one of Dubai's most electric. 

Considered one of the most lively Saturday brunches in town, Saffron at Atlantis, The Palm is an Asian restaurant ideal for a good old-fashioned party with friends. During the week, the venue functions as a normal eatery, however come 1pm on a Saturday, it transforms into a lively all-you-can-eat brunch. Make reservations to this hotspot for a melangé of sublime food, good music and lots of dancing. Be sure to visit the live cooking stations to load up your plate with South Asian specialities, including steamed and fried dim sums, wok-tossed noodle dishes and grilled meat dishes. 

Friendly rivalries can be settled at Dubai Autodrome, with a world of energetic activities perfect for a competitive group. The ‘Arrive and Drive’ day experiences provide a host of high-speed activities, including Ferrari GT driving sessions, drifting courses, and indoor and outdoor go-karting options. Super-charged car fans can book a hot lap zoom around the FIA-sanctioned 5.39km circuit in a BMW M5. For those who have no need for speed, the venue also has a purpose-built laser tag area, Laserdrome, where a maximum of 10 players can compete at a time. Think paintball, minus the mess.

Challenge your friends to a round of retro Pac-Man, shooting hoops, air hockey and more at Brass Monkey, a two-storey entertainment venue that promises hours of fun for everyone. Located on the trendy Bluewaters Island, it houses a popular 12-lane bowling alley, VR racing simulators, and more than 60 arcade games. You can get your game on with a Play Pass Card starting from just AED100. These don’t expire, so you can use any leftover credit on your next visit. Visitors can sample a variety of lip-smacking items at Brass Monkey from American-inspired comfort food on the ground floor to Pan-Asian dishes on the first.