1. Is fishing equipment and bait provided?
Many Dubai fishing tour operators do NOT provide complimentary fishing equipment and bait, but may instead charge an additional or a hidden fee. Ocealics provides complimentary fishing equipment and bait on all its fishing trips!
2. Does the trip duration include the ride from the port to the fishing spots, and vice versa?
Fishing charters in Dubai typically offer fishing tours for a set number of hours, usually four or six hours. However, for most of these fishing trips, the duration begins at the exact moment you step foot into the boat. In other words, with most fishing charters in Dubai, the trip duration includes the time it takes to travel from the port to the first fishing spot and the time it takes to travel back to the port.
With Ocealics, the promoted duration is purely fishing time. If you book a 4-hour trip, you will get 4 full hours of fishing time! Time taken travelling from and to the port is not counted within your trip duration.
3. Can you cook your catch?
Fishing boats in Dubai are located within ports and harbors, where they pick up and drop off their guests. Most ports and harbors in Dubai are lively attractions with lots of restaurants, shops, and facilities. Among the restaurants located at ports and harbors in Dubai, some offer a “cook your catch” service, where you can enjoy a fresh tasty meal of your own catch after your fishing trip. Check with your fishing charter as to whether such an option is available at the port of departure.
4. What is the policy in the case of bad weather?
Sometimes, luck may not be on your side. Fishing is an outdoor activity that is heavily dependent on the weather conditions on the day of the trip. Hence, in some instances, a surprise change in weather conditions could prevent the fishing charter from sailing on that day. In such cases, most fishing charters offer a reschedule, which may not always be a suitable option.
With Ocealics, in case of bad weather conditions, you are eligible to either a reschedule or a refund, subject to your choice or preference.
5. Are pets allowed onboard?
If you plan to take your pet buddy with you on your fishing trip, it is important to check with your Dubai fishing charter on whether they accept pets onboard. Generally, there is no law in Dubai that bans having pets onboard fishing charters. However, some fishing charters in Dubai have internal policies against having pets onboard. This may be the case, for example, where you are joining a shared fishing trip with a group of people rather than a private fishing trip.
6. Are complimentary beverages provided?
Most fishing tour operators in Dubai will only offer water for the duration of the fishing trip. However, a handful of them may offer juice and soft drinks in addition to water. If that was not the case, you may wish to come prepared and bring some of your own. A source of sugar is important to have during your offshore adventure!
In this regard, it is worth highlighting that if you plan to bring along alcoholic drinks, you should check with the fishing charter on whether that is acceptable as per their terms and conditions. In all cases, refrain from offering the boat captain or crew any alcoholic drinks.
Ocealics provides cold water, juice, and soft drinks on board for guests joining its fishing tours in Dubai. While alcoholic drinks are not provided, you may bring your own alcoholic drinks on private fishing trips only.
7. What is the policy on tipping the fishing guide and crew?
When it comes to tipping culture in the UAE, tips are neither mandatory nor customary. However, it is an appreciated act of kindness to the boat captain and crew who put in their best effort to ensure you enjoy a safe and fun trip. Tipping boat captains and crew on a fishing charter in Dubai typically ranges between a 5-10% tip of the total price paid. Tips paid to boat captains and crew should be paid directly to the crew in cash, and not to the fishing charter company.
