The area around the creek is the where Dubai was founded and developed as a trading hub for the gulf. Today it's still the harbor for the dowhs plying the gulf, but is also a major local transport artery.

Passenger services on the creek are provided by the abra -- a traditional small motor launch with a double row of benches along it's deck for passengers (with a single operator who functions as captain, helmsman, pilot and fare-collector!), which ply to-and-fro multiple destinations on each bank of the creek.