By Sea
Dubai is a trading hub for dhows from around the Indian Ocean. Travellers wanting to arrive in the city this way will probably need to make their own arrangements with the captain of the vessel.
From Iran: A boat service leaves Bandar-e-Lengeh (Langeh) supposedly every second day and docks in Port Rashid in Dubai. It returns to Bandar-e-Lengeh the following day. Crossing the Persian Gulf takes roughly 4 hours. The ticket includes lunch (Iranian style).