By Ramesh Mathew/Staff Reporter

As the weather gradually improves, luxury yachts have started moving out of their berths in different marinas of the country.
The activity increases on weekends, when many people look to venture into the sea to enjoy some quality time with family and friends.
While some travel to the country’s islands, especially on the eastern side, others prefer longer trips to neighbouring GCC countries.
Apart from Banana Island, which appears to have become a major attraction among local families, islands such as Sraaba, Al Sadilya and Ala are also thronged by a number of citizens, especially youngsters, some of whom do not wait for the weekend to make such trips, according to sources.
Sraaba is about 4 nautical miles away from Doha’s Corniche, while one has to travel a bit further to reach Al Sadilya and Ala.
The luxury boats are usually berthed in marinas at places such as Lusail City, The Pearl-Qatar and those operated by hotels in the West Bay area.
While some of the smaller luxury yachts in use are priced between QR300,000 and QR400,000, the larger ones cost over QR2mn, the sources point out.
Queries for yacht trips are also coming from tourists visiting the country, it is found. Some of these luxury boats, it is learnt, are available on rent and there are companies that run charter operations for yachts.
While the season is expected to last until the middle of January, the peak period will be from the middle of October to December-end, it is understood.
Sources in the industry say there has been a “significant rise” in the number of medium and small luxury yachts in Qatar over the past few years, adding that weekend boat trips by local families are also on the rise.
Apart from luxury yachts, traditional dhows are also used by their owners for leisure trips, they point out.
Further, the sources say it is hoped that the introduction of water taxis by Mowasalat will provide a vital boost to tourism and increase trips to neighbouring islands.
With the country hosting an annual international boat show, whose third edition will be held next month, those involved in the luxury boat industry say this will hopefully contribute to increasing awareness among residents about the sector in the coming years.
“There will be a further surge in the number of visitors to the islands,” said a boat operator.

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