Winter Sun in Dubai with Kids: Your Mosquito Packing List

When the clocks go back and the skies turn grey, Dubai’s seven hours of sunshine start looking very tempting. We see more and more UK families arriving for October half-term, Christmas and February breaks.

Most of them pack sunscreen. Fewer pack repellent. But the UAE’s main mosquito season runs from October to April, the same months you’ll be visiting. Here is how to keep the kids bite-free.

Where holidaymakers get bitten

• Resort gardens and pool areas at dusk, especially near ponds and planting
• Beachfront dinners once the breeze drops
• Desert safaris and camps around sunset
• Outdoor restaurants and markets
• Balconies with the doors left open

Pack it in your hand luggage

Bring 100ml bottles so they fit in your liquids bag. You’ll have protection from the moment you land, even if you head straight out for dinner. Our 250ml bottles need to go in the hold.

Also pack light long sleeves for the evenings, socks or closed shoes, and an after-bite product. Ask your pharmacist about suitable antihistamines before you travel.

The Traveller’s Kit: made for this trip

We put together the Traveller’s Kit for families like yours. Everything is 100ml and hand-luggage friendly:

• Skin Shield Citronella & Lemongrass. Our family classic, with a bright citrus scent kids love.
• Skin Shield Lemon Eucalyptus. Fresher and herbal. Perfect for desert safaris and long days out.
• Skin Shield Soothing Cream for Babies. Shea butter, aloe vera, naturally repelling essential oils and IR3535, suitable from 1 month.

Both sprays are DEET-free, non-sticky and non-greasy, with a hydrating base for skin that has had a full day of sun and sea. They are suitable from 1 year and above (safe for 6 months+). We ship across the UK, so you can order before you fly.

On a budget? Look out for our original Free Me sprays, from our days as Free Me Company, in our Bug-Free Bargains section.

Forgot to pack it?

You’ll find us at Dubai Duty Free as you land, plus selected Spinneys and Waitrose stores, Boots, Marina Pharmacy, Kibsons, Mumzworld, Noon and Amazon UAE. See our stockists page for the full list, or read where to buy natural mosquito repellent in the UAE.

A bite-free holiday day

• Morning: sunscreen first, wait a couple of minutes, then repellent.
• Pool and beach: reapply repellent after every swim and towel dry.
• Sunset: long sleeves on and fresh repellent, especially by the water.
• Dinner: choose tables away from ponds and planting, near a fan if possible.
• Bedtime: balcony doors closed.

Skin Shield gives 30 to 90 minutes of protection depending on conditions such as sweating and the weather, so in Gulf humidity, plan to reapply a little more often. For faces, spray onto your hands first. For children, apply with your own hands and avoid theirs.

Frequently asked questions

1. Are there mosquitoes in Dubai in winter?

Yes. October to April is the main mosquito season.

2. Can I take Skin Shield on the plane?

Yes. Our 100ml sizes fit hand luggage rules. 250ml bottles go in the hold.

3. Is natural repellent enough for Dubai?

For everyday family holiday activities, yes. If you’re travelling on to a region with mosquito-borne disease, speak to your GP or a travel clinic first.

Ready for winter sun? Shop the Traveller’s Kit.

The Naturally Kind Co. It Really Works.

General information, not medical advice. Patch-test any new product before your trip.