5 Days • 4 Nights
Qatar Beaches & Islands: Banana Island, Beaches & Mangroves
Tour Includes
About the Trip
Trip Highlights
- The resort island of Banana Island, with its beaches, water park and spa, is a beautiful, relaxing highlight. Banana Island, a beautiful resort island a short boat ride from Doha, is a haven of relaxation, with beautiful beaches, warm, calm turquoise sea, a water park, pools, a spa, and Riviera-style comfort. You relax on the beach, swim in the warm sea, enjoy the water park and pools, and indulge in the spa, savouring blissful island relaxation just off the city. The beauty and relaxation are lovely. Relaxing at the beautiful resort island of Banana Island, with its beaches.
- Kayaking the tranquil mangroves of Al Thakira is a beautiful, unusual highlight of this journey. In the north-east, the tranquil mangrove forests of Al Thakira (Purple Island) offer a beautiful, unusual escape. You kayak through the calm green channels among the mangroves, gliding quietly amid the rich birdlife, herons, flamingos in season, and other waterbirds, and the peaceful, watery landscape, a serene and beautiful contrast to the city and desert. The tranquillity and birdlife are beautiful. Kayaking the tranquil mangroves of Al Thakira, gliding among the green channels rich with birdlife, is a beautiful, serene and unusual highlight of this journey through Qatar.
- The golden dunes and turquoise beaches of the Inland Sea are a spectacular highlight. The Khor Al Adaid, the 'Inland Sea', is one of the natural wonders of Arabia, where the turquoise sea reaches deep into the desert, ringed by towering golden dunes. You journey by 4x4 across the dunes to this extraordinary place, taking in the beautiful sight of sea meeting desert, relaxing on the tranquil turquoise beaches, swimming in the calm water, and soaking up the profound beauty. The rarity and beauty are spectacular. Journeying to the golden dunes and turquoise beaches of the extraordinary Khor Al Adaid 'Inland Sea'.
- Beautiful beaches and warm, calm seas offer blissful, relaxed sun and sea. Qatar is blessed with beautiful beaches and warm, calm turquoise seas, from resort beaches to remote, unspoiled stretches of sand. You relax on beautiful beaches, swim in the warm, calm sea, and soak up the sun and the relaxed atmosphere, enjoying blissful, easy sun-and-sea relaxation. The warmth, beauty and calm are blissful. Relaxing on Qatar's beautiful beaches and swimming in the warm, calm turquoise seas offers blissful, relaxed sun and sea, a lovely highlight of this beach and island journey through Qatar.
- A taste of striking Doha rounds out this beach journey. Alongside the beaches and coast, you enjoy a taste of Doha, Qatar's striking modern capital, exploring the atmospheric Souq Waqif with its spices, falcons and Arabian character, the beautiful Corniche and gleaming skyline, and perhaps the stunning Museum of Islamic Art, a fascinating contrast to the sea and sand. The striking city and rich culture are captivating. A taste of striking Doha, with its atmospheric souq, gleaming skyline and stunning museums, rounds out this beach journey with fascinating culture, a rewarding highlight of this journey through Qatar.
- Above all, this journey offers relaxed beaches, islands, mangroves and desert coast, with a taste of the city. Beyond the gleaming city, Qatar is blessed with warm seas, beautiful beaches, a resort island and unusual coastal wonders, and this journey lets you savour them. Over five days you relax at Banana Island and beautiful beaches, kayak the tranquil mangroves, journey to the golden dunes and turquoise beaches of the Inland Sea, and enjoy a taste of striking Doha, all at a relaxed pace and warmed by Qatari hospitality. The combination of beaches, islands, mangroves.
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 5-day journey.
Your beach and island journey through Qatar begins as your flight arrives at Doha's Hamad International Airport, one of the finest in the world, where you are met and transferred to your hotel in Doha. Qatar is blessed with warm turquoise seas and beautiful beaches, and the striking, welcoming atmosphere of Doha is immediately apparent. Spend the rest of the day settling in and relaxing after your journey, perhaps taking a first stroll along the beautiful Corniche, with its views of the gleaming skyline, or relaxing at your hotel by the sea. This evening, a welcome dinner introduces you to the flavours of Qatari and Arabian cuisine and to the relaxed journey ahead through beaches, islands, mangroves and desert coast. As you settle in, the warmth and relaxed atmosphere of Qatar work their magic. Rest well, ready to relax at the beautiful resort island of Banana Island tomorrow.
Today you relax at the beautiful resort island of Banana Island. You take a short boat ride from Doha to Banana Island, a beautiful resort island and haven of relaxation, with beautiful beaches, warm, calm turquoise sea, a water park, pools, a spa, and Riviera-style comfort. You relax on the beach, swim in the warm sea, enjoy the water park and pools, indulge in the spa, and savour blissful island relaxation just off the city, with beautiful views back to the gleaming Doha skyline. The beauty and relaxation are lovely. As the day ends, you return to Doha (or, if you wish, stay overnight on the island). This evening, savour Doha's relaxed atmosphere and dining. Rest well, for tomorrow you kayak the tranquil mangroves of Al Thakira.
Today you kayak the tranquil mangroves of Al Thakira, a beautiful, unusual escape. You journey to the north-east coast and the mangrove forests of Al Thakira (Purple Island), where you kayak through the calm green channels among the mangroves, gliding quietly amid the rich birdlife, herons, flamingos in season, and other waterbirds, and the peaceful, watery landscape, a serene and beautiful contrast to the city. You take in the tranquillity and beauty of this unusual coastal wilderness. The serenity and birdlife are beautiful. As the day ends, you return to Doha, refreshed after a peaceful day on the water. This evening, savour Doha's relaxed atmosphere, perhaps exploring the atmospheric Souq Waqif with its cafes and Arabian character. Rest well, for tomorrow you journey to the golden dunes and turquoise beaches of the Inland Sea.
Today you journey to the golden dunes and turquoise beaches of the Inland Sea, and enjoy a taste of Doha. You journey by 4x4 across the golden dunes to the extraordinary Khor Al Adaid, the 'Inland Sea', where the turquoise sea reaches deep into the desert, ringed by towering dunes, taking in the beautiful sight, relaxing on the tranquil turquoise beaches, and swimming in the calm water, with exhilarating dune driving and Arabian hospitality along the way. Returning to Doha, you enjoy a taste of the striking city, perhaps the stunning Museum of Islamic Art or the beautiful Corniche and skyline. The desert coast and striking city are captivating. As the day ends, you return to your hotel, having experienced the Inland Sea and a taste of Doha. This evening, savour a final dinner in Doha, reflecting on your relaxed, beautiful journey. Rest well ahead of your departure.
After a final, relaxed morning in Doha, perhaps a last swim, a stroll along the Corniche, or some souvenir shopping in the souq, you are transferred to Hamad International Airport for your onward international departure. You leave sun-soaked and relaxed, having savoured the beaches, islands, mangroves and desert coast of Qatar, the beautiful resort island of Banana Island, the tranquil mangroves of Al Thakira, the golden dunes and turquoise beaches of the Inland Sea, and a taste of striking Doha. The images stay vivid long after you land, the beautiful island beaches, the serene mangroves, the turquoise Inland Sea meeting the golden desert, and the gleaming skyline of Doha. Qatar offers beaches, islands, unusual coastal wonders and striking culture in abundance, and you depart deeply refreshed, already dreaming of a return to this warm, welcoming and surprisingly beautiful land.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- 4 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner
- Airport and land transfers
- Touring and sightseeing as per itinerary with expert local guides
- Entrance fees to museums, sites and reserves as per itinerary
- private touring with an expert local guide, a Banana Island day, a mangrove kayaking excursion, a 4x4 Inland Sea excursion, a Doha city glimpse, and all entrance fees
Exclusions
- International airfare
- Visa or tourist card fees where applicable
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Most lunches and dinners not specified
- Water park and activity tickets, and tips for guides and drivers
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional excursions and experiences
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa & entry: Many nationalities can enter Qatar visa-free or with a visa on arrival for short stays with a passport valid for at least six months; for major events, a Hayya card may be required. Requirements can change, so we confirm the exact process for your nationality before travel and arrange any visa needed
- Currency: The currency is the Qatari Riyal (QAR); cards are very widely accepted in Doha's hotels, malls, restaurants and shops, but carry some cash for the souq, taxis, tips and small purchases. ATMs are plentiful, and Doha is a modern, cashless-friendly city
- Best time to visit: November to March is ideal, with warm, sunny, comfortable days perfect for the city, desert and coast; summer (May to September) is very hot and humid, best enjoyed via air-conditioned attractions, malls and indoor experiences, though spring and autumn shoulder months are pleasant
- Dress & etiquette: Qatar is a modern but conservative Muslim country; modest dress is appreciated in public (cover shoulders and knees), and required at mosques and some cultural sites. Qataris are warm and hospitable; respect for local customs, especially during prayer times and Ramadan, is always appreciated
- Desert & Inland Sea: Exploring the desert and the Khor Al Adaid (Inland Sea) involves exhilarating 4x4 dune driving with expert drivers, camel rides and desert camps; desert days are hot and nights can be cool, so bring layers, sunglasses and closed shoes. It is a spectacular highlight, and the drives are safe with experienced operators
- Alcohol & Ramadan: Alcohol is available only in licensed hotel restaurants and bars, not in shops or public places, and public intoxication is not tolerated. During Ramadan, eating, drinking and smoking in public during daylight are avoided out of respect, though hotels cater to visitors; we advise on timing and etiquette
- Safety: Qatar is one of the safest countries in the world, with very low crime and a welcoming, cosmopolitan atmosphere, and travel here is smooth, easy and rewarding. We use trusted local guides and drivers and follow official guidance; Doha is exceptionally safe, modern and easy to explore day or night
- Getting around & power: Touring is by private air-conditioned vehicle (and 4x4 for the desert) with your guide; Doha also has a modern metro and plentiful taxis. Power is 230V with UK-style type G plugs, so bring an adapter. Arabic is the language, and English is very widely spoken, making travel easy
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Qatar have good beaches?
Yes, more than many expect. Beyond the city, Qatar has beautiful beaches and warm, calm turquoise seas, from the resort island of Banana Island with its beaches, water park and spa, to beautiful stretches along the coast and the tranquil turquoise beaches of the Inland Sea, where the sea meets the desert. Combined with the unusual mangroves of Al Thakira, it makes a lovely, relaxed sun-and-sea escape, especially in the cooler months, with the fascinating city close at hand.
Can this be combined with the city and desert?
Absolutely. This relaxed beach and island journey already includes the Inland Sea desert coast and a taste of Doha, and can easily be extended with more of the city's world-class museums and souq, a desert safari or overnight camp, or the heritage of Al Zubara. We tailor the balance of beaches, city, desert and culture to you, creating your ideal relaxed or varied journey through Qatar, whether you seek pure relaxation or a fuller experience.
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included, along with any meals named in the itinerary (such as dinner at a desert camp). Doha has a superb, cosmopolitan food scene, from traditional Qatari and Levantine cuisine in the atmospheric Souq Waqif to world-class international and fine dining, so we usually leave meals free for you to explore, and are delighted to recommend the best restaurants, from souq eateries to acclaimed fine dining.
Are the tours private or in a group?
Your journey is private by default, with your own expert local guide and air-conditioned vehicle (and 4x4 for the desert), giving you flexibility and a pace tailored to you; small-group options can be arranged if you prefer. Qatar's knowledgeable guides bring the museums, souq, heritage and desert vividly to life, greatly enriching every visit, and expert desert drivers lead the dune adventures.
Do I need a visa for Qatar?
Many nationalities can enter visa-free or with a visa on arrival for short stays, with a passport valid for at least six months. We confirm the exact, current requirements for your nationality before travel and arrange any visa needed, so entry is smooth. Qatar is easy and welcoming to visit, and Doha's airport is one of the world's finest.
Is Qatar safe to visit?
Qatar is one of the safest countries in the world, with very low crime, excellent infrastructure and a welcoming, cosmopolitan atmosphere, and travel here is exceptionally smooth, easy and rewarding. We use trusted local guides and drivers and follow official guidance. Doha is modern, safe and easy to explore day or night, and the warmth of the Qatari welcome is one of the joys of a visit.
When is the best time to visit?
November to March is ideal, with warm, sunny, comfortable days perfect for the city, desert and coast, and the season for many events and festivals. Summer is very hot and humid, best enjoyed via Doha's world-class air-conditioned museums, malls and indoor attractions. Spring and autumn shoulder months are pleasant. We advise on the best timing for your interests and any events you wish to see.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. We can adjust the balance of city, culture, desert, beaches and shopping, add a desert camp overnight, more time at the museums, a beach or island day, or combine Qatar with a stopover elsewhere, and tailor the pace, comfort and focus to you. Every itinerary is a flexible starting point for your ideal journey through Qatar, whether a short stopover or a fuller stay.
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