For many of us one of the advantages of living in Qatar is the variety of sport based activities to participate in. If you have been to Sealine Resort, about 40 minutes south of Doha near Mesaieed you can’t fail to notice the multitude of quad bikes available to hire or the number of people who have their own.

On a weekend Sealine Resort is a hive of activity with adrenaline junkies of all ages zipping around on quad bikes, ascending and descending the dunes, racing each other and having lots of fun. Quad biking is a great way to explore the desert especially if you don’t have a 4x4, you don’t need to pre book either - simply pick up a quad bike at one of the many hire stalls and off you go.

At this time of year its best to arrive early morning as it’s quieter and cooler – well, as cool as Doha gets in May. Drive up to the one of the hire stalls and choose a quad bike as powerful as you wish, the more powerful the bike more you’ll pay. Some places display their prices for example you can get bike with a 250cc engine which is sufficient to get up an average sized dune for about 200QR an hour. At other stalls you can negotiate a price.

Children can get their own less powerful quads, or they can share with an adult. Once you’ve been given basic instructions on how to use the quad bike off you go. It’s easy to escape the crowds by heading behind the stalls, turning left then straight-ahead into the desert. Soon you’ll be whizzing through the dunes with the wind in your hair, admiring the magical scenery and, if you stop the engine, listening to complete silence. You’ll feel like you’re a world away from city life.

Make sure you are well prepared for your trip by taking a camera for those action shots, plenty of water, and a phone (in case you need rescuing). You’ll also need to wear lots of sunscreen, a hat and a long sleeved top and trousers. Take care to look out for other people too, especially the more confident experienced users who will impress you with their speed and skill. If you do get stuck the quad bikes have a sticker on them with a phone number so you can get help so it’s good to have a vague idea of your location!

Quite a few of the hire stalls have a shaded seating area so after your quad biking experience you can relax with a refreshing drink and share your experiences. Some of the stalls have a bathroom and a washroom as well, please check facilities provided with individual stalls. Quad biking is quite addictive, if you try it once you’ll want to go again and again.

Follow us on our social media channels: @ILQlive @ILQlive @ILoveQtr ILoveQatar