Dubai epitomises luxury. It is no surprise that it has become the playground of the rich and famous sun-seekers, as it offers luxury tourism like no other destination.
These growing numbers of high-income tourists demand private, high-end luxury experiences, and few experiences are more luxurious or desirable than a yacht experience along Dubai’s stunning coastline. And if you’re looking to start a yacht business, Dubai is the ideal place for you to drop the anchor.
In this blog, we’ll explore the types of yacht businesses most profitable for you to launch in 2025, the steps to start a yacht business in Dubai, the opportunities open for yacht businesses, and tips for successfully running them. Let’s fire up the engines to get started right now.
Yacht business Dubai
As the flourishing tourist sector sees more and more well-heeled travellers soak up the sun in Dubai, so the leisure marine market sees a huge increase, too – making the yacht business a lucrative industry worth investing in.
What types of yacht businesses operate in Dubai? The most profitable are yacht rentals, yacht charters, yacht sales, and yacht management services. Here’s a brief look into each of these types:
- Yacht rentals: This is the most in-demand service in Dubai. There is a massive range in the type of yacht available to rent in terms of passengers, amenities, luxury, and budget.
- Yacht charters: Chartering a yacht in Dubai is the ultimate luxury experience, with a crew to cater to guests’ every whim and fancy.
- Yacht sales: Dubai boasts a wide variety of yachts, meaning there is a broad scope for the number of passengers and budget, and a yacht dealer can cater to this selection or focus on a niche.
- Yacht management: With thousands of yachts moored in Dubai’s waters, all needing maintenance, crews, and more, a yacht management business provides services to keep clients’ yachts in tip-top condition – making it a fantastic business venture.
Apart from the business formation steps, such as business license application, you must also apply to the Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA), which oversees all maritime activities in Dubai, to be able to operate your yacht business legally.
How to start a yacht business in Dubai: Step-by-step
1. Team up with Worldwide Formations
As a captain safely and confidently guides a yacht, so does Worldwide Formations in setting up a business in Dubai. We are business formation specialists with over two decades of experience in partnering with entrepreneurs and investors in starting companies in Dubai and across the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Saving you time and money is our business – meaning you can focus on building and growing your business successfully.
2. Select your business activity
The next step is to determine the business activities of your company. These are required for business licenses, without which you cannot operate legally in Dubai. There are over 2,000 business activities to choose from, and it is essential that you select the correct ones – failure to do so can lead to severe penalties. Worldwide Formations will guide you throughout this process.
3. Decide your legal structure and business jurisdiction
Once you’ve selected your company’s business activities, you must choose a legal structure and business jurisdiction. This enables you to apply for a business license and register your company with Dubai’s Department of Economic Development (DED). You can choose from a range of legal types, such as an LLC, sole proprietorship, and more.
Also, for this step of the business formation process, you must select a business jurisdiction. There are two forms: mainland or free zone setup. Both offer benefits to business owners, but which one is best depends ultimately on your business objectives. The most popular choice of jurisdiction is a free zone setup, as these offer 100% ownership, tax exemptions, and streamlined business operations.
4. Apply for your business license
To operate legally in Dubai, your business must hold a valid business license. These are issued by Dubai’s DED (for mainland businesses) or the free zone authority. There are four main business license types: commercial, professional, industrial, and tourism, with numerous subcategories – which serve to regulate various industries.
In applying for your business license, you will be required to submit various documents, such as your business plan, copies of the business owner’s passport, proof of address, and others. This will also include approvals from the Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA) and Dubai Tourism.
5. Open a corporate bank account
After your yacht business license is approved and issued, you can open a corporate bank account. This will enable you to process payments and revenue for your business, marking the final step of your business formation process. With numerous banking institutions in Dubai, Worldwide Formations will help you choose a corporate bank ideally suited to the maritime and tourism sectors.
Opportunities and target market for yacht businesses
Tourism undoubtedly powers the market for Dubai’s yacht businesses. Here are some of the key opportunities new yacht businesses in Dubai can capture:
1. Environmentally-friendly yachting: Customers are increasingly opting for carbon fibre-hulled yachts (which are lighter, faster, and more fuel-efficient) over conventional designs. Electric and hybrid yachts employing zero-emission propulsion technology are similarly becoming increasingly popular.
2. Waterfront residential property developments: With more waterfront residential properties being built, the demand for yacht sales, yacht rentals, and yacht charters increases.
Dubai’s yacht business target market can be broken down into two categories: high-net-worth individuals and tourism, events, and corporate clients.
1. The UAE (and especially Dubai) attracts high-net-worth individuals to settle along its sunny shores – as well as enjoy Dubai as a holiday destination. The UAE’s thriving economy and luxury lifestyle create a surge in demand for luxury yachts among the wealthy, who seek the exclusivity and prestige associated with yacht ownership.
2. Yacht rentals and yacht charters tap into the lucrative market of wealthy tourists, events, corporate clients, and foreign tourists seeking ever more luxurious and private experiences while exploring the UAE’s beautiful coastline.
Tips for running a successful yacht business in Dubai
1. Comply with all maritime and business regulations
Always adhere to the maritime and business regulations as outlined by the DMCA and the DED at all times to avoid penalties – or worse. Maintain regular training and certification courses to stay updated on the latest maritime best practices for safety.
2. Leverage technology solutions
Investing in technology solutions, such as streamlined and efficient online booking systems, provides customers with increased confidence and transparency.
3. Understand the Dubai yacht business market
Conduct a comprehensive market search and exploit trends to better target customers and adapt your services to stay ahead of your competitors.
4. Perfect your marketing and branding
Build a website and social media presence to reach your target audience, utilising marketing tools like influencer collaborations and SEO campaigns to establish your brand and presence in the Dubai yacht business sector.
5. Networking and partnerships work
Networking and establishing partnerships with brands, tourism service providers, hotel groups, and the like will help to build a steady stream of customers for your yacht business in Dubai.
About Worldwide Formations
Worldwide Formations is highly respected and experienced in business setup in Dubai. With over two decades of expert experience, it has assisted many thousands of entrepreneurs and investors in entering the lucrative Dubai and UAE market. Our highly experienced team guides you through the entire process of business formation, the visa process, and business license approval – and more.
Are you ready to sail the seas around Dubai? Contact Worldwide Formations today.
