The people of Dubai checked out the ferry experience along the Dubai Water Canal, taking a ride from the Sheikh Zayed Station on the night of 10 November 2016.

Passengers, including families, were allowed to go to the deck to enjoy the spectacular view of the canal and take photos and videos.

Saudi national Maher Kheder and family, who have been residents of Dubai since 2004, wanted to be among the first to enjoy a boat ride along the canal.

“After the inauguration last night, we thought it will be an excellent idea to take a ride and be among the first [passengers] to enjoy the views,” said Kheder, business development director and consultant at Gulf Research Centre.

“It was a great feeling. We have enjoyed every moment of it, especially with the weather now changing. I am sure as years pass by, more shops, cafes, restaurants and hotels are going to open and it is going to be a beautiful tourist attraction.”

Bosnians Ermin Balesic, his wife and two children, who were on a visit to Dubai from Denmark, were among the tourists who managed to get seats on the first boat. “The view is very good, the boat is almost new. It is a very different experience,” Balesic said.

Samer Radi, from Palestine, said his children were excited to take photos and videos and post them on Facebook. “The bridges, the walkways and the waterfall… everything looks very nice. It is a new experience in Dubai.”

Like most passengers, Sufiyan Ghansar from India also enjoyed taking photos of the canal and of the Dubai skyline and selfies set against the magnificent backdrop.

Roads and Transport Authority staff said some 37 people rode the service on the first day. They expected more passengers to ride the ferry over the weekend and in the coming days. They also hoped to sort out the teething problems like disruption in power supply at the Dubai Canal Station on Friday.