Things to do in Al Thakira mangroves

Al Thakira, on the coast near Al Khor about 50 km north of Doha, is one of the few places in Qatar where the landscape is water rather than sand: grey mangrove channels you paddle by kayak, with Purple Island a short crossing away.

Tours typically run for around an hour and a half to two hours and cost roughly EUR 25 to 45 per person depending on the operator and whether a guide is included. Tide and time of day change the trip more than anywhere else on this coast: at low tide the channels can be too shallow to paddle, and the calmest water and light are usually in the early morning or late afternoon.

Check the operator's tide-dependent schedule when booking rather than fixing a time yourself. Birds are present but not guaranteed on any given visit.