Written by Angel Polacco
Summertime is creeping up on Doha fast, and naturally, we want to make the best out of the good weather before the heatwave hits. Right now is ideal beach weather, so we’ve come up with some great beaches to hit up either over the weekend or, if you want more privacy, anytime during the week. For most of these beaches, it’s better to take SUVs or Landcruisers, as cars may not be able to handle the sandy terrain.
It takes about 25 - 30 minutes to get there from Doha. It’s very clean and safe, and not frequented by too many people. Simaisma is a great place to have beach barbecues, enjoy quality time with your family, and have fun!
This beach is very family-orientated. There are lots of facilities provided for visitors to the beach. Barbecue grills are at the ready for people to use, and bathrooms and showers are also available for people who fancy a swim. There’s a grassy area near the beach where you can chill and hang out as well. For lovers of Karak, there’s a Tea Time located nearby to add to the tranquil ambiance. It’s approximately 45 minutes away from Doha.
Al Dhakira is home to the largest mangrove preserve in Qatar. It’s a great site to kayak and go fishing. Of course, barbecuing at the beach is now a given, so you can bring a grill and cook your own meals. It’s a great place to go with family and friends, and you can enjoy by organizing your own games and activities as well.
This beach is one of my personal favorites. It has been great to visit during the weekdays. It’s almost always empty, and it’s a pure beach with white sand and clear turquoise waters. You’ll have to bring your own supplies with you from Doha as there aren’t many stores or eating joints close by. But it’s great to just relax, tan, go for a swim, and then come back to hot fresh off the grill barbecue. Fuwairit is also home to the Hawksbill sea turtle hatching site, but it depends on the season of course. During this season, a section of the beach is closed and fenced off. Visitors are not permitted to interact with the turtles. It takes around one and a half to two hours to get there from Doha.
To the south of Fuwairit beach is Maroona beach (credit: Simon Betterton). Some people also call this the French Beach. We're not entirely sure why though. If you know, let us know in the comments!
In the northeast of Qatar (further north of Fuwairit) is another popular beach called Al Ghariya Beach. Like Fuwairit beach, it's best to drive here using a 4x4 vehicle and to pack your own supplies before coming to the beach.
Zekreet is known for its rock formations and the Richard Serra Art Piece located in the middle of the desert. The terrain is slightly rockier in comparison to the other beaches, which are sandier. The water is really nice and clear blue in color. This too is a great place to visit either during the week or the weekend; it’s generally not busy. It’s also a good location to go camping and to have barbecues. This beach is approximately 45 - 50 minutes away from Doha.
Umm Bab, also known as "Palm Tree Beach", is a settlement in Qatar that is located in the municipality of Al Rayyan. It's known as Palm Tree beach as it is home to a small cluster of palm trees. It used to be part of the Al Jemailya municipality before the municipality was incorporated into Al Rayyan.
One of the most famous public beaches on the western side of Qatar, Dukhan Beach is ideal for families and those who want to barbecue by the beach. Restrooms, BBQ pits, pagoda, and shower facilities are available.
This beach is also known for its mangroves, although not as much as Dhakira Beach. They even have the little fish in the water that nibble at your dead skin cells, like how they have at spas in Far East Asia. Wakrah also has a designated family area, and will not allow people who aren’t with their families to enter. This beach is also located close to many stores and restaurants so it’s easy to pick up supplies on the way. It’s approximately 25 - 30 minutes away from Doha.
Sealine Beach is one of the most frequented beaches in Qatar by citizens and residents alike. Aside from swimming, popular activities include ATV riding and dune bashing at the nearby sand dunes.
Inland Sea is a great spot for fishing and camping, especially during the winter season. It’s about 30 minutes away from Sealine Beach. The Inland Sea is actually located near the Qatar-Saudi border. However, to get to the Inland Sea, you have to drive through some sand dunes. It’s better to have an experienced driver navigate and take you to the Inland Sea, and if you’re not used to driving on the dunes then you shouldn’t drive. But it’s definitely worth it, the beach is really scenic and very clean. Overall it takes about two and a half hours to get there.
There are many attractive #beaches in #Qatar equipped with all facilities. To choose a suitable one for you, Have a look. #MME #weekend pic.twitter.com/6EpyBPyuwc
— Baladiya (@Baladiya1) August 25, 2017
Inside Katara Cultural Village, Katara Beach is the most accessible family beach from Doha. It has a wide selection of water sports activities (such as Gondola and pedal boat) and children's play area where kids can participate in child-friendly water activities.
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