Dubai in March is the last month of the cool season: highs of about 27-31°C, nights of 17-21°C and a sea warming to 22-24°C. Early March this season is shaped by the end of Ramadan, with Eid al-Fitr expected on 9 or 10 March, when hotels and malls fill. This guide covers the weather, Ramadan and Eid timing, spring dust and haze, events and the plans that work best before the heat arrives, starting with the full-day desert safari from $45.
By SB Excursions · Published 29 October 2026 · Updated 29 October 2026
Tour on this route: Full-Day Desert Safari in Dubai — From $45 per person, 7 hours.
What is the weather in Dubai in March?
Daytime highs of about 27-31°C, rising late in the month, and night lows of about 17-21°C, with a sea of about 22-24°C. Sunset is at about 6:20-6:40 PM. Evenings are mild, afternoons warm, and dust or haze can soften the view on some days.
This guide also answers:
- When is Eid al-Fitr in March in Dubai?
- Can you swim in the sea in Dubai in March?
- Is the desert safari good in March?
Five ways to spend March in Dubai
#1
The full-day desert safari
March keeps the desert comfortable: dune bashing and sandboarding in warm but bearable air, sunset at about 6:20-6:40 PM and a camp dinner with the fire show, Tanoura and belly dance. It runs from $45, or $65 with the 30-minute quad bike, with no prepayment. Bring a light layer for after dark, when the dunes cool quickly.
#2
The evening quad bike safari
A full hour on a self-drive quad is included, from $70 per person on a bike shared by two or $105 on your own quad, followed by sandboarding, a camel ride and the camp dinner. Pickup is usually in the early afternoon and moves with the season. March daytime temperatures suit the hour on the dunes better than May or June.
#3
A day in Abu Dhabi
The 9-hour tour leaves at 8:00 AM, reaching the Grand Mosque before the midday heat and crowds. March is the last month when walking the marble courtyards and the Corniche is comfortable for most visitors. Abu Dhabi runs 2-3 degrees hotter than Dubai, so bring water and sunscreen. The tour is from $45 shared with no prepayment.
#4
Beach days begin
At about 22-24°C the sea is warm enough for a proper swim on a sunny afternoon, though still fresh. Public beaches have lifeguards, and March sun can burn quickly. Beaches are busy on Eid days and at weekends; go on a weekday morning if you want space. Our beach guides cover the options and the rules.
#5
Eid evenings and the Fountain
Eid brings the city out in the evening: families, full malls and the Dubai Fountain, which plays every 30 minutes from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM in Emaar's last published schedule. Expect crowds and slower taxis around Downtown on Eid evenings; go by metro, arrive early and check Emaar's channels for the current shows.
Dubai in March: the short answer
March is the last good month for outdoor sightseeing and the first for beach days. Days run at about 27-31°C and nights at 17-21°C, with sunset at about 6:20-6:40 PM. The first half still feels like winter in the evenings; the last week is clearly warmer, and by 3 PM the sun is hot. The sea is warming to 22-24°C.
This season March is shaped by the calendar. Astronomers, including the Emirates Astronomical Society, expect Eid al-Fitr, the feast at the end of Ramadan, on 9 or 10 March 2027, subject to the official moon sighting. The days around it are public holidays and the busiest of the month. Ramadan moves about ten days earlier every year, so after this season it will fall before March. The month-by-month guide compares March with the other months.
Crowds and prices follow the calendar. Hotels stay at high-season rates through March, with peaks around Eid and the European Easter holidays; the weeks between the two are usually calmer. Attractions such as the Burj Khalifa and Global Village are busiest at weekends and on holiday evenings, so go on a weekday if you can.
March weather and sea temperature
These are typical ranges, not forecasts. March is the month where the weather changes most, so check the forecast a few days ahead.
| What | March (typical) | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime high | About 27-31°C, higher late in the month | Warm by noon; the sun is strong enough to burn in an hour |
| Night low | About 17-21°C | A light layer for evenings, the camp and a yacht deck |
| Sea | About 22-24°C | Warm enough for a proper swim on a sunny afternoon |
| Sunrise and sunset | About 6:40 to 6:10 AM and 6:20-6:40 PM | Long enough evenings for sunset plans after work or sightseeing |
| Rain | A few wet days at most; March can bring a short thunderstorm | Rare, but a heavy downpour can flood roads for a few hours |
| Dust and haze | Some days, more often as spring goes on | Softer views; low visibility can ground a balloon flight |
Approximate typical ranges; humidity creeps up as the month goes on.
Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr and the March calendar
How March feels depends on the calendar, and the calendar moves. This table shows the coming season, with dates expected as of 29 October 2026 and confirmed by the moon sighting close to the day.
| When | What is happening | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Early March, up to about 8 or 9 March | The last days of Ramadan; the daytime city is calmer, evenings busy after iftar | Follow the daylight etiquette: no eating, drinking or smoking in public; plan iftar evenings |
| 9 or 10 March | Eid al-Fitr, expected; a public holiday of several days | Book hotels, the balloon, the safari and the yachts early; expect crowds and traffic |
| Mid-March | Back to normal; cool evenings, warm days | The best days of the month for outdoor sights |
| Late March | Clearly warmer afternoons; European Easter holidays fall in late March or April depending on the year | Start early, rest in the afternoon; families bring more crowds |
Ramadan and Eid dates move about ten days earlier each year; check the dates for your year.
If your trip touches Ramadan or Eid, the Ramadan guide for tourists explains what runs and what changes, and the Ramadan dates guide tracks the expected start and Eid. Our tours run through both; the safari dinner moves to after iftar in Ramadan, and entertainment may be limited or modified, so ask us on WhatsApp for the programme on your date.
Spring dust, haze and the odd storm
March can surprise you. Some days bring dust or haze, which softens the skyline and can lower visibility for a balloon flight. A short thunderstorm is possible in March, and a heavy downpour, which is rare, can flood roads for a few hours.
None of this should change your plans, but it should change how you book. Put the sunrise balloon early in the trip, with a spare morning behind it; a cancelled flight is refunded in full or moved to a new date. Keep a flexible afternoon for the weather, and check the forecast the day before a boat tour. Our balloon season and weather guide explains how the go or no-go call is made.
What is on in March
Dubai's winter attractions are still open through March. These dates come from published reports as of 29 October 2026 and can change.
| What | Dates this season | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Global Village, Season 31 | Opened 14 October 2026; runs until May 2027, with no exact closing date published | AED 25 on weekdays and AED 30 on weekends, Khaleej Times reported; check the official site for hours |
| Dubai Miracle Garden, Season 15 | 8 October 2026 to 31 May 2027 | Adult tickets about AED 100 excluding VAT; opens at 9 AM, so go early or late in the warm days |
| Dubai Safari Park | Reopened 12 October 2026 | Check the park's own site for this season's prices and hours; go early in the warming weather |
| Dubai Fountain | Evening shows every 30 minutes from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM in Emaar's last published schedule | Check Emaar's channels for changes |
Seasonal dates can change; confirm before you go.
March sunset is at about 6:20-6:40 PM, so the Fountain shows start about as the sun goes. For a Burj Khalifa visit, a slot of about 5:30 PM catches the daylight and the first lights; the best time to visit Burj Khalifa guide has the slot for every month.
March tour by tour, and the booking order
Every tour runs in March. The table shows what changes.
| Tour | March in practice | Price and booking |
|---|---|---|
| Full-day desert safari | Warm dunes, sunset at 6:20-6:40 PM, a light layer after dark | From $45, $65 with the quad bike; no prepayment |
| Evening quad bike safari | A full hour on a self-drive quad; pickup in the early afternoon, set by season | From $70 on a shared quad, $105 on your own; no prepayment |
| Abu Dhabi city tour | The last comfortable month for the mosque courtyards; 8:00 AM pickup | From $45 shared, $245 for a private car for up to 7; no prepayment |
| Sunrise balloon | Still in season; sunrise about 6:40 to 6:10 AM; dust or haze can ground a flight | From $275; 30% deposit; sells out 1-2 weeks ahead |
| Shared 1-hour yacht tour | Warm evening light on the Marina skyline | From $32; full prepayment |
Prices are per person except the private Abu Dhabi car.
Place the balloon first if your dates touch Eid, then the yachts, then the Abu Dhabi city tour and the safari, which are agreed on WhatsApp with no prepayment. If you cannot decide between the two safaris, ask us on WhatsApp and we will compare them for your date.
Shape the day around the sun. In the second half of March, put sights before noon, rest or swim between about 1 PM and 4 PM, and be outdoors again for sunset. The balloon and the Abu Dhabi tour start early, the safari and the yachts work in the afternoon and evening, and the Old Dubai walk is easier in the cooler part of the day, so ask us about the time when you book.
The sea and the beach in March
March is when the beach starts to work. The sea is at about 22-24°C. Public beaches such as JBR and Kite Beach have lifeguards, and weekends and Eid days are busy. Our best beaches in Dubai guide lists the options.
For warmer water, April is better: the sea reaches about 25-27°C and the beaches are still comfortable in the morning. The April guide shows how the month changes.
Water sports start from Umm Suqeim harbour: jet ski, flyboard, parasailing and tubing. At 22-24°C the sea is cool when you fall in, and a sunny afternoon feels better than a cloudy morning. Ask us about the sea state on your date before you book.
What to pack for March, and who it suits
Pack for warm days and a mild evening, with a layer for the desert and the water.
- Light clothes for the day and a light layer for the evening and the camp.
- Sun protection: sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat; March sun burns faster than visitors expect.
- Swimwear and a towel for hotel pools and the beach.
- Closed shoes for the dunes and a pair of sandals for the camp.
- Modest clothes for the mosque day: loose clothing covering ankles and wrists plus a headscarf for women, shoulders and knees covered for men.
- A passport or ID copy for the balloon and for tours that need one.
March suits almost every first-timer, and it is the best month for anyone who wants both outdoor sights and a first swim. Skip it, or avoid Eid days, if you dislike crowds and high hotel rates. Choose February for cooler mornings and the coldest sea.
FAQ
What is the weather in Dubai in March?
Daytime highs of about 27-31°C, rising late in the month, and night lows of about 17-21°C, with a sea of about 22-24°C. Sunset is at about 6:20-6:40 PM. Evenings are mild, afternoons warm, and dust or haze can soften the view on some days.
When is Eid al-Fitr in March in Dubai?
This season it is expected on 9 or 10 March 2027, depending on the moon sighting, following Ramadan from about 8 February. Eid is a public holiday of several days, so hotels, malls, tours and roads are busy.
Is March a good time to visit Dubai?
Yes, it is one of the best. The weather is warm without being hot, the sea is warming and all the attractions are open. The drawbacks are the Eid crowds in some years, Easter holiday crowds and higher hotel prices.
Can you swim in the sea in Dubai in March?
Yes. The sea is about 22-24°C, warm enough for a proper swim on a sunny afternoon. It is warmer in April, at about 25-27°C.
Is the desert safari good in March?
Yes. The dunes are warm but comfortable, sunset is at about 6:20-6:40 PM and the camp evening needs only a light layer. The full-day safari is from $45, with no prepayment, and runs through Ramadan and Eid.
Does it rain in Dubai in March?
Occasionally. March can bring a short thunderstorm, and a heavy downpour can flood roads for a few hours, though most days are dry. Keep an afternoon flexible and check the forecast.
What should I book first for March?
The sunrise balloon, from $275 with a 30% deposit, and any yacht slot, especially if your dates touch Eid. The desert safari and the Abu Dhabi tour, both from $45, are agreed on WhatsApp with no prepayment.
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Full-Day Desert Safari in Dubai
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