Dubai is one of the most exciting places in the region to explore the night sky. With vast desert landscapes just beyond the city, it’s become a popular destination for guided stargazing experiences, complete with telescopes, expert insights, and uninterrupted views.
Whether you’re hoping to see constellations, planets, or even the Milky Way, here’s everything you need to know about stargazing in Dubai.
City Skies vs Desert Skies
The difference between city and desert skies in the Dubai region is dramatic. In the city, artificial light from buildings and streets creates a glow that drowns out most stars.
Just a short drive into the desert, though, you’ll find darker skies where constellations, planets, and even the Milky Way become visible — especially on clear, moonless nights.
What You Can See On A Dubai Stargazing Experience
Head out into the desert on a clear night, away from the city’s glow, and the sky reveals a whole new world. Depending on the time of year, here’s what you can expect to see on a guided stargazing tour near Dubai:
- Constellations: Familiar star patterns like Orion, Ursa Major, and Cassiopeia are easily visible under the darker desert skies.
- Planets: Bright planets such as Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars often make an appearance — many are visible with the naked eye and even more stunning through a telescope.
- The Moon: When it’s in the sky, telescopes offer detailed views of the craters, ridges, and shadows across the lunar surface.
- The Milky Way: During the right conditions — especially summer months and around the new moon — you may glimpse the faint glow of our galaxy stretching across the sky.
- Meteor Showers: Time it right and you could witness meteor showers like the Perseids (August) or Geminids (December), lighting up the sky with fast-moving streaks of light.
- Satellites: Small, steady-moving dots of light across the sky may be low-orbit satellites — often spotted on clear nights.
Many desert stargazing tours include expert guides, laser pointers for identifying constellations, and high-powered telescopes for a close-up look at planets, star clusters, and more.
Best Places for Stargazing Around Dubai
If you’re looking to escape city lights and enjoy truly dark skies, these spots near Dubai are top choices for stargazing:
Al Qudra Desert
About 70 km from Dubai, Al Qudra is popular for easy access and wide-open desert skies. It’s part of the Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve, known for its natural beauty and wildlife. While some light pollution exists due to nearby developments, it remains a favourite for casual stargazing and quick desert escapes.
Lahbab Desert
Located around 50 km southeast of Dubai, Lahbab is famous for its striking red dunes and minimal light pollution. It’s a hotspot for organised stargazing tours that often combine astronomy with desert activities like dune bashing and camel rides.
Hatta
Situated in the Hajar Mountains, Hatta benefits from higher elevation and clearer air, offering excellent night sky visibility. Beyond hiking and kayaking, it’s a great spot for stargazing, especially during cooler months when skies are crisp and clear.
Mleiha
About 45 minutes from Sharjah, Mleiha Desert features the Mleiha Archaeological Centre, which hosts guided stargazing programs with telescopes and expert guides. Its remote location keeps light pollution low, making it a top choice for astronomy enthusiasts.
Al Wathba
Located near Abu Dhabi, Al Wathba offers a peaceful desert and wetland environment with dark skies. Though less developed for stargazing tourism, it’s a calm, natural place for a night under the stars away from city lights.
Al Quaa
Located about 90 minutes from Abu Dhabi, Al Quaa is widely regarded as the darkest spot in the UAE — ideal for spotting the Milky Way and meteor showers. Thanks to minimal light pollution and open skies, it’s a favourite for serious stargazers and photographers. Basic facilities are limited, so most visitors come well-prepared or join guided overnight tours.
Recommended Stargazing Operators
Arabian Wanderers
Escape the city lights and journey with Arabian Wanderers to Al Quaa, renowned as the darkest spot in the UAE, for an unparalleled stargazing experience. This trip takes you deep into the desert for breathtaking views of the Milky Way, constellations, planets, and even shooting stars, away from all light pollution.
Immerse yourself in a memorable overnight camping adventure under the vast desert sky. The experience includes comfortable accommodation in private tents, a delicious BBQ dinner, refreshing beverages, and all necessary camp equipment. With 4×4 transportation into the heart of the desert handled, you can relax and fully enjoy the tranquility and celestial wonders.
Get ready for a hassle-free journey into nature’s spectacular night show, focusing solely on the incredible desert and its starry sky.
Please visit their website for more information: https://www.arabianwanderers.com
Platinum Heritage
If you’re looking for a more premium stargazing adventure, Platinum Heritage specialises in luxury desert safaris using vintage Land Rovers and eco-friendly practices.
Their astronomy-focused tours are typically set in private desert reserves, with expert-led stargazing, fine dining, and Bedouin-style camp setups. Ideal for couples or travellers who prefer quieter, more intimate settings.
Please visit their website for more information: https://uae.platinum-heritage.com
OceanAir Travels
OceanAir Travels is well-known for offering comprehensive desert safari packages that perfectly blend adventure, culture, and stargazing. Their tours often take place at locations like the Al Khayma Desert Camp and the Al Marmoom Conservation Reserve, where visitors can escape the city lights and enjoy clear desert skies.
Stargazing is guided by knowledgeable staff who use telescopes to help visitors explore the night sky, making the most of the desert’s minimal light pollution. For those wanting to extend the experience, OceanAir Travels offers overnight stays in private, air-conditioned tents. These include a sunrise camel trek and a traditional breakfast, providing a full desert adventure from dusk till dawn.
Tour durations vary from evening excursions to overnight packages, with pricing dependent on inclusions.
Please visit their website for more information: https://www.oceanairtravels.com/
Hot Air Balloon Dubai
Hot Air Balloon Dubai offers a captivating experience that combines the thrill of flight with the serene beauty of the desert at dawn. Departing before sunrise, guests are transported to the Margham Desert, where they embark on a 45 to 60-minute hot air balloon journey. As the sun ascends, it casts a golden hue over the vast dunes, providing panoramic views that are both breathtaking and tranquil.
The adventure doesn’t end upon landing. Participants are treated to a gourmet breakfast at a traditional Bedouin camp, immersing them in authentic Emirati culture. Additional activities, such as camel rides and falconry demonstrations, enhance the experience, offering a deeper connection to the region’s heritage.
Please visit their website for more information: https://hotairballoondubai.co/
Tips for the Best Stargazing Experience
To make the most of a stargazing tour near Dubai, timing and preparation matter.
The cooler months — typically from November to March — offer the clearest skies and most comfortable conditions. During this time, lower humidity and crisp desert air create ideal visibility for spotting constellations and planets.
If you want to see fainter stars or catch a glimpse of the Milky Way, try to avoid booking on nights with a full moon. The moonlight can overpower the more subtle features of the night sky, so check a lunar calendar before planning your trip.
Smartphone apps like SkyView, Star Walk 2, or SkySafari can enhance your experience by helping you identify stars, planets, and celestial events in real-time. Many tours also offer laser-guided explanations, but having an app adds a personal, interactive layer to the evening.
As for what to bring, dress in layers. Evenings in the desert can get surprisingly chilly, especially in the winter months. A light jacket or hoodie is usually enough. If you’re planning to take photos, bring a camera with manual settings and a tripod for best results. Stargazing through a telescope is magical, but capturing it well requires a bit of kit and patience.