Family Holidays in Ras Al Khaimah – Top Things to Do & Family Travel Deals
Luxury hotels for less, amazing family activities, superb beaches and year-round sunshine – choose family holidays in Ras Al Khaimah for your next vacation.
With the recent talk of over-tourism in tourist destinations, there has never been a better time to explore the road less travelled. Family holidays in Ras Al Khaimah have everything you could possibly need for a family break away.
Ras Al Khaimah, one of the seven Emirates, has such a diverse landscape. It is renowned for its scenic beauty, relaxed atmosphere and adventure tourism. You will find 64km of white sandy beaches, desert dunes and rugged mountains, but also some amazing family activities, including Bear Grylls camps, desert safaris and the world’s longest zipline!
Ras Al Khaimah is easily accessible from Ireland. It is only an hour’s drive from Dubai which you can reach by twice-daily direct flights from Dublin. You should find a lower cost of living in Ras Al Khaimah compared to glitzy Dubai too!
I have teamed up with Budget Travel who offer a wide selection of family holidays in Ras Al Khaimah, or RAK as it is commonly known. Budget Travel is part of the Irish owned Club Travel Network, Ireland’s largest travel company. You can enjoy exclusive deals and discounts, as well as knowing you are booking with a fully licensed and bonded travel agency, who have been operating in Ireland for over 50 years!
I have hand-picked some of Budget Travel’s great family holidays to Ras Al Khaimah below. All hotels are five-star with family friendly facilities and are top-rated on TripAdvisor. I have also listed some of the great things to do in Ras Al Khaimah for families – I think they may surprise you!
Top Things to do in Ras Al Khaimah
From riding the world’s longest zipline to glamping in the Al Wadi desert, there are so many unique experiences for family holidays in Ras Al Khaimah. I have listed just five below, but a cruise on a traditional dhow is another one of the popular family activities in Ras Al Khaimah, and for the ultimate holiday experience, try a sunrise hot air balloon ride!
1. Ride the World’s Longest Zipline
Did you know the world’s longest zipline is in Ras Al Khaimah? Children* and teenagers can live out their superhero fantasy as they travel at speeds of up to 150km per hour at a height of 1,680 metres from the top of Jebel Jais mountain.
The thrill ride across mountain peaks and ravines is 2.83km long and lasts three minutes, before landing on a transparent platform completely suspended in air. *Minimum weight is 40kg and height 130cm.
See more here2. Ride the Jais Sledder
If the world’s longest zipline is a little too adventurous for you, then try the Jais Sledder – a toboggan ride down the Hajar mountain range that reaches up to 40km per hour!
This is similar to an alpine coaster that you might see in Austria, and sleds are designed to seat two people comfortably. The ride takes about eight minutes and covers 1850 metres and is a popular activity for a parent and child to do together – minimum age 3 and height 105cm.
See more here3. Visit Suwaidi Pearl Farm
Ras Al Khaimah is often called the ‘Pearl of the Emirates’ as its pearl fishing history dates back thousands of years. The Suwaidi Pearl Farm allows visitors to journey on a traditional pearl fishing boat while listening to stories about courageous pearl fishermen. Visitors can also open their oysters to see if there is an Arabian pearl inside to take home!
See more here4. Book a Desert Safari
From dune bashing to horse riding, luxury hotel stays to glamping, no visit to Ras Al Khaimah would be complete without a visit to the Al Wadi desert – it is one of the best things to do in Ras Al Khaimah for families.
You can book a desert safari – there should be many excursions bookable from your hotel, or stay in a traditional Bedouin camp where you can enjoy stargazing by campfire.
One of the most popular camps is Dunes Camp. As well as dune buggy safaris, camel trekking and horse riding, you can go glamping in the desert in an elevated tree house or premium dome tent!
See more here5. Learn to Survive at Bear Grylls Camp
Bear Grylls camps are the ultimate adventure activities for children, and this camp at Ras Al Khaimah is the only Bear Grylls camp outside of the UK and Sani Resort in Greece. We had the pleasure of attending a four-hour course in Greece and loved it – I remember feeling very proud when we managed to start a fire without matches!
As well as a four-hour survival essentials course in Ras Al Khaimah, you can also book a 24-hour family survival course. Learn to build and light a fire, how to build a shelter, navigate at night and lots more, before putting what you have learned into practise the following day.
Four-hour courses are suitable for children over 8 while a minimum age of 12 applies to the overnight course.
See more hereTop Family Holidays in Ras Al Khaimah
I have handpicked some amazing 5 star family hotels in Ras Al Khaimah from Budget Travel. I have chosen dates during school holidays, but all dates, durations and number of people travelling can be changed – simply select ‘Refine Your Holiday’ when you click on the links below, and edit the search to suit your requirements.
October Mid Term Break: 29th October – 7 Nights
Flights & 5 Star Hotel: 2&2 €4491/ 2&3 €5761
Are you still searching for a holiday over the October mid term break? Well look no further! The five star Pullman Resort Al Marjan Island is set on a private beach and boasts three swimming pools, seven restaurants, a host of water sports and a luxury Spa. Children from 3 – 15 can enjoy the kids clubs and games room, sports courts and more.
Family prices include direct flights from Dublin to Dubai with Emirates, checked baggage, and a seven-night stay sharing a superior room for four, or a junior suite for five.
This price is based on travelling on the 26th of October for seven nights. If you can travel a little later the price is cheaper – the cost is €3611 for a family of four and €4576 for a family of five, departing the 29th of October for seven nights.
Family of 4 Family of 5February Mid Term Break: 16th February – 7 Nights
Flights, Transfers & 5 Star All Inclusive: 2&2 €5340 / 2&3 €7993
Situated on a beautiful white sandy beach on Marjan Island, with a host of facilities on site, the five-star Rixos Bab Al Bahr offers superb value for families looking for all inclusive hotels in Ras Al Khaimah.
Take your pick from 14 restaurants and bars – all part of its ultra all-inclusive arrangement, as well as a host of activities, fitness classes and shows. There are kids, teens and sports clubs for children too!
Family prices include direct flights from Dublin to Dubai with Emirates, ( prices are lower if you go via Doha with Qatar Airways ), complimentary airport transfers, checked baggage, and a seven-night stay on an all-inclusive basis sharing a family room for four, or a two-bedroom family suite for five. Dates and durations can be changed to suit your requirements.
Family of 4 Family of 5Easter Holidays: 11th April – 7 Nights
Flights, Transfers & 5 Star Hotel Half Board: 2&2 €4939 / 2&3 €7369
Situated on a private white sandy beach, the five-star DoubleTree by Hilton Marjan Island Resort boasts a whopping 13 bars and restaurants, and seven pools! There is also a rejuvenating Spa and a host of sports activities, so you will be spoilt for choice here.
Children from 4-12 will love the complimentary kids club and Pirate Boat Aqua Zone with slides, while thrill seekers and children 8+ can enjoy the Jungle Float, the largest floating waterpark in the UAE.
Family prices include direct flights from Dublin to Dubai with Emirates, complimentary airport transfers, checked baggage, and a seven-night stay with breakfast and evening meal included. Dates and durations can be changed to suit your requirements.
Family of 4 Family of 5June Bank Holiday: 1st June – 7 Nights
Flights & 5 Star Hotel Half Board : 2&2 €4134 / 2&3 €7187
The show-stopping Waldorf Astoria Hotel is the number 1 rated hotel on TripAdvisor, and one look at this hotel and you will see why. With the Waldorf’s signature attentive service, nine restaurants and lounges, three swimming pools and stunning sea views, I’m frankly surprised at the value it offers, it is one of the best 5 star hotels in Ras Al Khaimah.
This hotel is superb for families too and has a children’s club as well as a kids water adventure area with slides, complimentary cinema and much more.
Family prices include direct flights from Dublin to Dubai with Emirates, checked baggage, and a seven-night stay with breakfast and evening meal included. Dates and durations can be changed to suit your requirements.
View offer here View offer hereSummer Holidays: 2nd July – 7 Nights
Flights, Transfers & 5 Star All Inclusive Resort: 2&2 €4116 / 2&3 €5942
Situated on a beautiful white sandy beach on Marjan Island, with a host of facilities on site, the five-star Rixos Bab Al Bahr offers superb value for family holidays in Ras Al Khaimah during school holidays.
Take your pick from 14 restaurants and bars – all part of its ultra all-inclusive arrangement, as well as a host of activities, fitness classes and shows. There are kids, teens and sports clubs for children too!
Family prices include direct flights from Dublin to Dubai with Emirates, complimentary airport transfers, checked baggage, and a seven-night stay on an all-inclusive basis sharing a family room for four, or a two-bedroom family suite for five. Dates and durations can be changed to suit your requirements
Family of 4 Family of 5All of the above family holidays from Dublin to Ras Al Khaimah are just a sample of what Budget Travel has available. You can find many more on their website or or submit an enquiry online via their efficient Quote service.
While every effort it made to ensure accuracy, facilities and prices are subject to change. This post was sponsored by Budget Travel, but all thoughts, as always, are my own.
