Perseids Peak This Week: Where to Watch

For your best chance, aim for the darkest sky you can find and give your eyes 20–30 minutes to adjust. No kit required – leave binoculars at home, lie back, and scan the sky broadly rather than fixing on one spot. Start watching from around 10pm, with activity typically improving after midnight into the pre-dawn hours.

If you’d like guidance, the Dubai Astronomy Group is hosting a special Perseids night at Jebel Jais on 12 August, with deep-sky telescope views, sky-mapping workshops and expert talks, plus a dark-sky setup. Tickets start from Dhs150.

Prefer to go it alone? Reliable dark-sky choices include the Al Qudra Desert (east of Dubai), Hatta in the Hajar mountains (some residual light but great horizons), Al Quaa Milky Way Spot near Al Ain (about 90 minutes from Abu Dhabi), and Shuweihat Island in Abu Dhabi’s far west (spectacular landscapes, roughly four hours from Dubai).

Pack water, a mat or reclining chair, and a torch with a red light setting to preserve night vision. Arrive a little early, face broadly northeast at first, and then just keep looking up – the Perseids reward patience.