Beaches, desert and the Inland Sea

Who this is for

Anyone in Qatar planning a day at the beach, a desert trip or a night under the stars. Booking your own campsite in the official winter camping season has its own eligibility rules, explained below. This guide does not cover boat licences or fishing permits.

Before you start

• Plenty of drinking water, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen, even in the cooler months.
• A 4x4 vehicle and an experienced driver for any trip into the dunes, or a booking with a licensed tour company.
• Today's weather, wind and sea forecast from the Qatar Meteorology Department.
• Modest beachwear in public areas: Visit Qatar asks visitors to keep shoulders and knees covered in public places.
• For booking your own winter campsite: a valid Qatar ID and a National Authentication System (Tawtheeq) login.

Steps

1. Choose a public beach

   Visit Qatar lists many free public beaches. Al Wakrah Beach, about 25 to 30 minutes south of Doha, has shaded seating, playgrounds and calm water. Al Shamal Beach in the far north has shallow water, shade and family facilities, and Al Maroona in the northeast has calm, shallow water. Sealine near Mesaieed is where the sand dunes meet the sea. Fuwairit, Dukhan and Zekreet are further out, and Zekreet is easiest to reach by 4x4. Lifeguards are not present at most free beaches, so watch children closely and swim with care.

2. Check the weather, wind and tides

   The Qatar Meteorology Department publishes weather and sea forecasts and issues warnings for strong wind and high seas. Its daily reports also list high and low tide times for places such as Doha, Al Wakrah, Mesaieed, Al Khor and Dukhan. You can follow the forecast in the Q Weather app. If a warning is in place, postpone sea trips and stay out of rough water.

3. Plan a desert trip the right way

   There are no paved roads in the dunes, so a 4x4 is essential. Khor Al Adaid, known as the Inland Sea, lies in the southeast near the border with Saudi Arabia, roughly 80 km from Doha. There is no road to it and no facilities there, so most people go on a guided desert trip that starts from Mesaieed or Sealine. Visit Qatar suggests November to April as the most comfortable time to go.

4. Book with a licensed tour company

   Tour guiding and inbound tour companies need a tourism licence from Qatar Tourism. Many companies offer dune drives, sandboarding, camel rides and overnight desert camps. Before you book, ask the company to confirm it holds a valid Qatar Tourism licence, and check what safety equipment and insurance are included. This guide does not recommend any particular operator.

5. Understand the winter camping season

   The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change organises the winter camping season each year and announces its dates and registration windows. Registration is online, through the ministry's camping website and its Bee'ah app, region by region. For the 2025 to 2026 season, permits were issued only to Qatari citizens aged 25 or over, camping was allowed only at approved sites, and a permit could not be transferred or sublet. Residents and visitors who want a night in the desert can join a camp run by a licensed tour company.

6. Camp safely

   The ministry's camping rules ask for at least 5 metres between tents, a kitchen kept apart from sleeping areas, and gas cylinders placed outside tents. Each camp must have a 4 kg fire extinguisher and a fire blanket. Light any campfire well away from the tents, on the side opposite the wind, and put it out fully before you sleep or leave.

7. Respect reserves and mangroves

   Khor Al Adaid became a nature reserve in 2007 and is on UNESCO's tentative World Heritage list. The Al Thakira mangroves, about 17 km northeast of Al Khor, were declared a reserve in 2006. You can explore Al Thakira by kayak or paddleboard and enjoy the boardwalks, but do not walk into the mangrove forest itself. Across the desert, the ministry warns against lighting fires directly on sand or beaches, driving into vegetated areas, dumping rubbish and cutting wild trees. You can report violations on 16066.

8. Stay safe in the heat

   The Ministry of Public Health advises limiting time in direct sun between 11am and 4pm, drinking water regularly, wearing loose, light-coloured clothing and a hat, and using sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher, reapplied every 2 to 3 hours. Severe dizziness, no longer sweating, a high body temperature, red skin or confusion are warning signs: move to shade, cool down, and get medical help. In an emergency, call 999.

Useful numbers and apps

• Ministry of Environment and Climate Change hotline (camping, reporting violations) 16066 Source
• Q Weather app (Qatar Meteorology Department) Q Weather Source
• Emergency (police, fire, ambulance) 999 Source

Good to know

• Before driving on sand to Khor Al Adaid, Visit Qatar notes that drivers usually let tyre pressure down to about 18 to 20 psi in Mesaieed.
• Summer is very hot, with highs above 40°C. The cooler months, roughly November to April, are the usual season for desert trips and camping.
• Low tide at Al Thakira reveals the mangrove roots; high tide lets kayaks go further into the channels. Check tide times before you go.
• Renting out or subletting a camping permit is not allowed and can lead to the permit being cancelled.
• Take all rubbish home with you. Many beaches and desert areas have few or no bins or facilities.
• Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back, and keep your phone charged.