Qatar is quickly gaining momentum as one of the Middle East’s top adventure hot spots, and it is easy to see why. Seemingly endless swaths of desert, serene mangroves and wildlife-rich seas give the destination an edge.
These adventure sports are sure to satisfy cravings to spend time in the great outdoors — and gain a major adrenaline rush.
As always, check for travel restrictions and closures before planning your trip.
Experience Qatar from Above
Few activities rival experiencing a destination while airborne, and Qatar’s one-of-a-kind architecture and contrasting landscapes are like nowhere else on earth.
See all of its glory from above as you take flight in a hot air balloon at sunrise or sunset and glide over the Doha cityscape toward the desert, with the balloon casting dramatic shadows over the dunes below. Watch the skies glow in orange hues as the sun rises or falls below the horizon, and embrace the serenity of this unforgettable outdoor adventure.
Balloon rides are generally offered between October and December, and peak during the annual 10 day balloon festival in mid-December. Your hotel concierge can help you arrange a hot air balloon experience during the season.
Kayak in Qatar’s Pristine Natural Reserves
To some travelers’ surprise (and delight), Qatar has no shortage of calm bodies of water to kayak on, bringing paddlers close to flocks of rare birds and picturesque scenery. Hotels are able to arrange kayaking tours to two of Qatar’s most popular adventure hot spots: the Inland Sea and Al Thakira Mangroves.
First, make your way to the Inland Sea in southeast Qatar; this inlet of the Persian Gulf is one of the only places in the world where towering sand dunes meet the sea. In your kayak, you can glide along the water’s channels, between rocky ridges and raised plateaus, while gazing upon the unique terrain.
In Qatar’s northeast, you’ll find an unexpected wetland preserve: the Al Thakira Mangroves, a serene area dotted with hundreds of lush green islands and flora sprouting from the shallow waters. Let the gentle ripples of the water carry you past the unusual landscape as you glimpse migratory birds, including herons and flamingos.
Take to the Sands on Qatar’s Dunes
Desert safaris are practically a right of passage for outdoor adventure enthusiasts and offer an exhilarating taste of Qatari nature.
There is no shortage of small tour companies offering four-wheel-drive rides over the towering dunes, speeding and rocking as the off-roader weaves its way over shifting sands.
For an even more authentic experience, opt for a tour allowing you to ride camels through the desert, embracing the traditional mode of transportation through an endless sea of sand. Relax and feel the breeze brushing your skin as you ride.
Ask your hotel concierge to arrange a guide for your desert excursion.
Take a Swing at Qatar’s Premier Greens
If the more relaxed pace of golf is your preferred outdoor sport, the three championship courses at Education City Golf Club just outside Doha will meet the mark.
The 18-hole, 9-hole, 6-hole and driving range options give golfers the opportunity to practice their putting or challenge themselves to beat their handicaps.
Your hotel concierge can arrange for tickets to the course, which was designed by two-time major winner José María Olazábal and features a topography that includes sand pits, water hazards and gradients to challenge your skills.
Glide Overhead on a Parasailing Experience
Once used to train NASA pilots, parasailing has become a popular outdoor adventure sport in Qatar, with Katara Beach being the ideal venue to soar up to 100 meters into the skies.
The waters of Qatar are calm and the air is warm — a perfect combination for parasailing. Hold tight as the speedboat soars through the water and your parachute climbs higher and higher. Enjoy the thrill of the adventure and admire the aerial views of land and sea sprawling below.
Swim with Dugongs on a Diving Adventure
Qatar has a rich heritage of pearl diving, and there are countless shipwrecks and coral reefs to explore under the sea — an added bonus to dugong spotting.
Ask the concierge at The St. Regis Doha or Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel to arrange an experience with a PADI-certified diving guide and experience the unique underwater limestone formations, ancient wrecks and colorful tropical fish in different locations along the coast.
More than 100 rare dugongs — or “sea cows” as they’re often called — call the seas surrounding Qatar home, making this the second largest population in the world, and there is no better way to see these gentle giants up close than on a diving experience.
Soar Through the Air on a Kitesurfing Experience
Whether you’ve a novice or pro, Qatar’s beaches rank among the best places in the world to kitesurf thanks to calm and shallow Persian Gulf waters and rare north winds blowing in from the sea.
Kitesurfing is a worthy adventure, ideal for all skill levels, and an array of schools and operators offer lessons and equipment to visitors.
Fuwairit, in northern Qatar, where powdery soft sand and calm ocean meet, is the best place to take to the skies as you soar across the water. Water temperatures are mild for most of the year, and a wetsuit is really only necessary between December and February.
For a unique kitesurfing location, head to the Al Thakira Mangroves in Qatar’s northeast. As you glide through the air, you will get an aerial view of fields of pink flamingoes casting shadows over the micro islands and mangrove trees swaying in the wind.
Concierges at Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel and The St. Regis Doha can arrange this outdoor experience for you.
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