The Dubai Creek / Khor Dubai

Just like the Seine divides Paris and the Thames divides London, the 14 km (8,7 mi) long river The Creek divides the city of Dubai in two parts. In the times of the ancient Greeks the river was called Zara, and started at the coast from the Persian Gulf and ended in Al Ain. Nowadays is The Creek also known as Khor Dubai, because it used to end in the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary where flamingos and other beautiful birds live. This slow flowing saltwater creek was the commercial backbone of the city and in the early 20th century it was the place where local pearl divers and fishermen worked daily. In this period they also built a small port from where the traditional sailing vessels, called dhows, sailed to India and East-Africa. The Creek was dredged in the 1960s and 1970s so that larger ships could sail the river and give Dubai its advantage over neighboring Sharjah. In 2007 the river is extended 2,2 km (1,4 mi) from Ras Al Khor to Business Bay district. Another extension of about 3 km (1,9 mi) has started in 2013 which will link The Creek again with the Persian Gulf.

If you want to cross The Creek you could take the Al Shindagha Tunnel, which is is the only underwater road crossing Dubai Creek, one of the four bridges, or the Metro lines. But we from Meet The Cities like to make use of an motorised open wooden water taxi called abra, because from the water it is very beautiful to watch the modern highrise at Deira, the historical neighborhood Bastakiya and Bur Dubai. These abras cross the rivers leave when there are enough passengers on board. Most of the times this only takes several minutes. The travel across the river will take about 5 to 7 minutes and costs Dh1, cash only.

The most popular routes are at the following abra stations:
– From Deira Old Souk Abra Station (near the Spice souk) to Bur Dubai Abra Station (near Bur Dubai Souk)
– From Sabkha Abra Station (near Baniyas square) to Dubai Old Souk Abra Station (near Bur Dubai Souk)