Kayak tours
Through the channels, often at sunrise or sunset.
P. Hughes — CC BY 4.0 · Irshadpp — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Irshadpp — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Irshadpp — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Alex Sergeev (www.asergeev.com) — CC BY-SA 3.0
The mangroves of Al Thakhira, a town about 7 km north-east of Al Khor, form a belt more than 6 km long around its shallow inlet. These grey mangroves (Avicennia marina), Qatar's only mangrove species, are evergreen trees up to about 4 m tall that grow in seawater. The Al Thakhira reserve holds more than half of Qatar's roughly 14 km² of mangroves. The inlet was once a small anchorage, and in 1908 Lorimer's Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf counted about 100 houses in the town, home to pearl divers and fishermen. Tradition says the name, meaning the provision, comes from a captain who sheltered here from a storm. Protected since 2006, the reserve also takes in the small mangrove-covered island of Umm Al Far. At high tide, guided kayak and paddleboard tours slip through the flooded channels. Low tide uncovers mudflats bristling with pencil-like breathing roots and scuttling crabs. Herons, egrets, cormorants and waders feed here; greater flamingos rest in the shallows from November to April. Picnic on the shore, but never walk into the forest, which can damage the trees. The forest lies just north-east of Al Thakhira town, 48 km north of central Doha as the crow flies and about an hour's drive away. The last stretch is an unpaved salt-flat track, and facilities are few; bring water and sun protection, and come from November to April, early or late in the day. Al Khor Island (Purple Island), 5.5 km south as the crow flies, makes an easy pairing.
Through the channels, often at sunrise or sunset.
In the shallows from November to April.
Rising from the mud at low tide.
North-east of Al Thakhira town, Al Khor and Al Thakhira municipality
Qatar's official tourism site advises an off-road vehicle. The last stretch is an unpaved track across salt flats that turn soft and treacherous when wet, so without a 4x4 come with a tour, and in any car keep to firm, dry ground.
At or near high tide, when the channels are full; at low tide guides may change the route. Tours last about 90 minutes to 2 hours with a life jacket and safety briefing, and some start from the Al Khor Island (Purple Island) side, so check the meeting point when you book.