For the father who shrugs off fuss and insists he needs nothing, the right gift rarely comes wrapped. It might arrive instead as a toast over brunch, an early tee time, or a few quiet hours on the open water. This Father’s Day – June 21 in the UAE – Dubai offers a wealth of thoughtful ways to make him feel seen and appreciated. From private yacht dinners to coveted golf memberships, here are five distinctive experiences designed to honour your father, his way.
Charter a Private Helicopter
Dinner or a staycation will likely please most fathers, but for a Father’s Day gift he’ll remember, consider a private helicopter tour. Companies like HeliDubai and Falcon Heli Tours offer polished, private charters departing from helipads at Atlantis, the Creek, and the Police Academy near Kite Beach. Standard flights run between 20 to 45 minutes, but the real luxury lies in mapping a bespoke route: a full-city sweep tracing from Dubai Marina to the desert’s edge, or a slower loop into Abu Dhabi or the northern Emirates. 5,000 feet above ground, the city will unfold in ways maps never quite capture, from the dazzling coastlines of Palm Jumeirah and The World Islands to the gleaming Gulf horizon. On the ground, personalised extras, such as a surprise pickup or a post-flight toast, can also be arranged. It’s a gift without cliché – just a stretch of open sky and a view he’ll hold onto long after touchdown.
A Day on the Green, or Better Still – A Membership
If your father’s idea of bliss involves a 7am tee time and a pristine green, then a round at Jumeirah Golf Estates might be the most fitting way to celebrate him. This upscale, leafy community is home to two of the UAE’s most revered championship courses: Earth and Fire, both designed by Greg Norman. The Earth Course is sculpted, cinematic and grand in scale, while Fire is more rugged – perfect if he likes a challenge. After a morning on the greens, treat him to dinner at Bussola, the club’s laid-back Italian eatery, or a recovery massage in The Lounge spa.
For a more lasting gesture, an annual club membership is a gift he’ll return to time and again. It’s a passport to tour-level facilities, exclusive member events, priority tee times, and a like-minded community of fellow golfers.
Alternatively, Emirates Golf Club in Emirates Hills remains a classic. Designed by Karl Litten in 1988, it was the first all-grass championship course in the Middle East, and it still holds its own. The flagship Majlis Course is known for its rolling fairways and lush, palm-framed views, while the Faldo Course gives the rare pleasure of night golf (ideal in the summer months). A full membership grants access to both, as well as reciprocal playing rights at Dubai Creek, Yas Links, and Saadiyat Beach.
On Father’s Day, Spike Bar at Emirates Golf Club will be hosting a hearty carvery, where dads dine on the house.
Father’s Day Brunch at City Social
The brainchild of Michelin-starred chef Jason Atheram, City Social will be marking Father’s Day this year with an elevated afternoon brunch. A London-born institution, this upscale eatery is located on the 43rd floor of Grosvenor House in Dubai Marina, framed by sea views that are every bit as spectacular as the food. The menu is generous and distinctly European – think beef-fat potatoes, roasted sea bass, and lamb shoulder with wild garlic. Starters come fast and flavourful (oak-smoked burrata, cured salmon ceviche), while desserts play to classic comforts, including sticky toffee pudding. In terms of mood, this brunch is lively without overdoing it, tempered by ocean views and tiers of champagne. For the dad who enjoys a more spirited setting, this is just the place to gather the family, raise a toast and linger long after the last course.
Take to the Seas in a Private Yacht
The surest way to escape Dubai’s ever-growing crowds (and the blazing summer heat) is out on the open sea. A perfect gift for the thalassophile, a private yacht charter is less about show and more about space: space to think, space to breathe. Dubai has no shortage of charter companies with well-appointed vessels, from sleek 50-footers to full-deck superyachts with crew, catering, and climate-controlled lounges. Most set off from Dubai Marina or Jumeirah, snaking past landmarks like Bluewaters Island, Atlantis and the Burj Al Arab along the way. Alternatively, plan a route that sails deeper out to drop the anchor and enjoy an open water swim.
Many charters offer private chef service or gourmet catering, from live BBQs on deck to thoughtfully prepared picnics to tuck into on the bow with a bottle of champagne. With salt in the air and the skyline fading behind, it’s the gift of presence – no dress code, just the open sea and those he chooses to bring aboard.
A Commissioned Artwork
Art may be a little off-script as a Father’s Day gift, but it can be incredibly meaningful. This year, consider commissioning an original piece – a portrait, sketch or abstract work – that tells a story only he would understand. Studios like Tashkeel in Nad Al Sheba and The Third Line in Alserkal Avenue are good starting points, connecting you with artists who work across a range of mediums, from graphite and mixed media to contemporary calligraphy. The subject might be a reinterpretation of an old photograph, a stylised map of a place with meaning, or a piece that simply mirrors his taste and temperament. For something more forward-thinking and candid, Gulf Photo Plus in Alserkal offers private sessions with documentary-style photographers.
To make the gift more experiential, some artists in Dubai will invite clients into the process – from initial concept to colour palette – or even host a collaborative afternoon session in their studio (albeit rare). It’s this shared creative moment that may become just as memorable as the piece itself.
