Qatar is a peninsula; the coastline is over 560 km long, so there are plenty of beaches to choose from. Mesaieed is the most popular beach destination because it is the only place in Qatar where the sand dunes meet the water. Some, like the Inland Sea (Khor Al Adaid) can only be reached by a four‑wheel‑drive while others, such as Al Wakra, are only a short drive away and suitable for all cars. Swimming in the Gulf waters is a relaxing experience, but beware of jellyfish in the summer! 

Visitors to the busier public family beaches should be aware that they need to wear appropriate, modest clothing. Many of Qatar’s public beaches are isolated with no facilities. Bring everything you need with you: food and plenty of water, sunscreen, towels and a first aid kit – and please take away all your rubbish. 

Al Farkiah        
A family beach with a 1,350 m seafront just outside Al Khor. To get there, coming through Al Khor, go past Al Khor Mall, and at the next interchange, turn left – there is a sign saying ‘Al Farkeeh beach’. Follow the road for several hundred metres, past the sign for ‘Marina Scouts Club’, and keep going straight until the next sign for ‘Al Farkeeh’. Turn left and the beach can be seen in the distance. There are play areas, wooden sheds, watchtowers, and other facilities. See our Al Khor and Al Thakhira. Opening times: Sunday to Wednesday 7 am – 10 pm; Thursday/Friday/Saturday is for families only, 7 am – midnight. Admission: Free.

Al Ghariya
Located 80 km from central Doha, just 4.5 km beyond Fuwairit (see entry on next page), is Al Ghariya Beach, which is also known as Al Ghariya Island. Part of a series of alluring islands situated just off the coast of mainland Qatar, Al Ghariya is a popular weekend destination for locals and visitors. It’s after Al Ghariya Beach Resort. Drive 1.5 km until you reach an abandoned village. The best spot is further north beyond the old Scout Camp.

Al Jassasiya
Near the Al Jassasiya Petroglyphs are the beautiful turquoise waters and soft sand of Al Jassasiya beach, perfect for a camp or barbecue. The water is shallow and may not be suitable for swimming.

Al Kharaij
Located near Umm Bab, a public beach with facilities. The only way to get there involves driving over 6 km on a dirt road and it does get pretty bumpy at times. Nearby is a beach for single men and labourers.

Al Mafjar
Located in the historic and abandoned village of Al Mafjar on the northern tip of Qatar is Al Mafjar Beach, which is surrounded by abandoned historic ruins. It is a good beach for watersports, swimming, snorkelling and hiking. Al Mafjar Beach is close to Umm Tais National Park, an important protected habitat for birds and other animals.

Al Mamlha
It’s the second women’s only beach in Qatar. The beach is around 15,000 sq m and can be accessed through the main entrance from the north side. At night, the beach is lit up using eco-friendly solar energy. It is completely fenced and provides all basic facilities like toilets, guard rooms, umbrellas, barbecue places, rubbish bins, and rope barriers along the beach to prevent the entry of water bikes. Female guards provide protection for all visitors at the beach. Opening times: Daily 9 am – 10 pm. Admission: QAR25 for adults and QAR5 for children; boys over the age of 6 are now allowed with or without guardians.

Al Maroona
Situated on the northern tip of Qatar, just before Fuwairit, Al Maroona is known as ’42 km Beach’ or ‘French Beach’. The sand is soft and golden and the water is crystal clear with fascinating sea life to explore. You may see starfish, turtles, tiny hermit crabs, jellyfish and plenty of other fish.

Al Ruwais  
At the northern tip of Qatar, at the end of Al Shamal (North) Road and about 110 km from Doha, are some quiet beach areas with coves and inlets, and picnic and shaded spots. The rock formations are very different in this region and wildlife such as dugongs (an aquatic animal) can be seen. Al Shamal Municipality has started implementing a project to provide the beach with shades and solar energy-run lights.

Al Safliya Island 
The small uninhabited island lies off the coast of Doha, south of The Pearl Island. The natural paradise is for nature lovers to enjoy the sun, swim and admire the mesmerising views of the Doha skyline. On the southern part of the island, there are wooden umbrellas; however, there are almost no other facilities such as restrooms. To get there, you can take a dhow boat from either The Pearl Island or Doha Cornich, or arrange a trip with a local tour operator (see Local Tour Companies in this section) to enjoy watersports on the island such as jet skiing, banana boat rides, paddle boarding and many more.

Al Thakhira  
The largest area of mangroves – and the oldest – can be found around Al Thakhira and Al Khor. A great way to explore the mangroves is by kayak, available from several tour operators and specialist companies. All of these can be booked in advance, and many companies offer both morning and afternoon trips. Al Khor is about 35 – 40 km from Doha. Drive through the town and bear left at the northern end of the Corniche, heading towards Al Thakhira. Turn right at the next roundabout; take the first left and pass through the gap between the houses. Heading left away from the village, pass the car park and jetty onto a track across the salt marsh, which eventually leads to a small wadi (desert depression) and then to the beach. At high tide the salt marsh can turn treacherous, so park near the wadi unless in a four‑wheel‑drive vehicle. 

Al Wakra
The old fishing town of Al Wakra is undergoing continuous redevelopment. The 4 km coastline stretches from the hills to the fishing harbour. The beachfront traditional village called Souq Al Wakra is a replica of life 200 years ago. Al Wakra family beach in the Al Jabal area has volleyball and football areas, sun shades, showers and toilets. The water is shallow, but with lots of rocks, and children should be supervised. Solar power is being utilised to provide lighting.

Azerbaijani
One of the best and most popular beaches in Qatar, the public beach comes right before Al Jassasiya beach with beautiful turquoise waters and soft sand, perfect for a camp or barbecue.

Dukhan Beach

Dukhan
Dukhan is one of the most popular destinations for public beaches. Once you arrive at the gates to Dukhan, turn left and follow the coast road for 9 km until you reach Dukhan Water Sports. The tarred road ends here, but to the south there are plenty of places to stop. The beaches are sandy but watch out for sharp rocks under the water. 

Fuwairit
Once one of Qatar’s most popular beaches, Fuwairit Beach on Qatar’s northern coast permanently closed in 2020 to protect the endangered sea turtles during the hatching season. It has become a conservation area and sanctuary for turtles and birds to live and breed.

Jazirat bin Ghannam (Purple Island)
Also known as Al Khor Island, Purple Island is one of the most popular destinations for kayaking, stand up paddling and other water sports with lush mangroves and rich bird life including flamingos. ‘Purple’ Island gets its name from the dye extracted from the sea snail (shellfish called thais savigny), evidence of which can be found all over this coastal stretch of land. The ‘island’ is surrounded by mangroves and is accessed via a causeway (broken away in parts). Climb to the top of the jebel for a 360° view of Al Khor. Coordinates for the car park are 25.41.36N/51.33.16E. 

Mesaieed (Sealine)

Mesaieed (Sealine)
Mesaieed is the industrial town at the original centre of the petrochemical industry, 40 km south of Doha. There are some good beaches to the south of the town and this is where the barchans (crescent‑shaped) sand dunes begin. Mesaieed is home to Qatar’s most popular sand dunes and the luxurious Sealine Beach, a Murwab Resort. Dune buggies and quad bikes can be hired here near the resort. It is busiest at the weekend – cars, buggies and quad bikes will be driving in all directions on the beach, so exercise caution. Four‑wheel‑drive vehicles are necessary if veering away from the main beach area – don’t forget to select your vehicle’s lowest gear when approaching the softer sand. 

Ras Abrouq (Bir Zekreet)
The bay is at the tip of a peninsula northeast of Dukhan and is a popular spot for weekend campers and watersports enthusiasts. Full of interesting coves and bays, you may see flamingos in the half-moon bay. If you turn right, you will go past the SCENR reserve for gazelles and ostriches. If travelling up to Bir Zekreet, it’s worth taking some time going inland and finding Film City, the ‘film set’ built into the rock faces of the jebels with small, rough stone buildings where a film was produced several years ago. From here drive up the jebel face – if in a suitable vehicle – and in the distance you will see a small fort. This was used as the location for a TV series, and is open to the public.

Ras Bu Abboud Beach 974
Also known as Beach 974, the new tourist and family destination is a 260,000 sq m and 1.2 km long recreational destination with relaxing sands, live music and DJs, water sports and beach activities, food and retail outlets and more. It also includes walking and cycling paths with a length of 2.6 km; 11,500 sq m of landscaping and 500 trees; service booths such as restaurants, cafés, toilets and more in four separate areas; 73 seating areas, 216 umbrellas, 286 beach chairs and beach showers; and 255 parking spaces. The beach is next to the only waterfront venue of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, Stadium 974, and is home to the colourful public art installation ‘Doha Mountains’ by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone, next to Tche Tche Cafe. Opening times: 10 am – sunset. Admission: QAR35 per person; QAR15 for children below the age of 12. Contact: ra974beach.com, Instagram @974.beach

Semaisma North Beach
Just 30 km north of Doha is the village of Semaisma. The Semaisma North Beach is a 7 km guarded and fenced family beach, which has been developed to include shades, open areas for barbecues, lighting, and bathrooms and shower rooms. The last 3 km of the beach is reserved for women only. Opening times: Daily 8 am – 8 pm. Admission: QAR50 per car. Nearby is the Semaisma public beach, which stretches out from a natural jetty, skirts around a small cluster of mangroves and continues around the bend. On the south end is a small hill with a derelict building; a nice silhouette at dusk. Enjoy the mangroves, which play a vital role in land preservation. Try to avoid crushing the mangrove roots. The beach also boasts palm and sidra trees, and a variety of seasonal plants. 

Umm Bab   
There’s a small cluster of palm trees beside the breakwater that earned the beach its nickname ‘Palm Tree Beach’. People can enjoy camping or barbecuing at the beach, which is located in close proximity to the Al Reem Biosphere Reserve where you can find many different plants and animals. One may even find an Arabian Oryx roaming freely around the area.