Families and groups find the beaches a haven to de-stress and to remove all the radiation from the body caused by too much exposure to computers and electronic devices, according to Amanda White, a long time Filipino expatriate who often visit beaches in the country.
“The beach is the most relaxing place for me because it gives me peace of mind, away from the busy streets of Doha,” she said. “We start to go to the beach during this time when the temperature starts to come down.”
Like some Doha residents, White and her family travel from their home early morning to reach the Sealine beach in Mesaieed at 5am.
She said they normally take a dip into the water for at least an hour, walk for at least 30 minutes along the shoreline, and in some cases, climb the sand dune barefoot before heading home.
She believes that walking barefoot, also known as ‘earthing,’ is good for the body as it absorbs a lot of negative ions, which she said are prevalent in natural places like beaches.
White’s statement was echoed by Gawis Cruz saying he always feels better after doing these beach activities in the past two years.
“I always find time to visit a beach just to walk there barefoot, sometimes at Katara (the Cultural Village) or at Wakrah to save time because Sealine and Dukhan are far from Doha,” he noted.
“It is I think the most practical way to de-stress, relax, and bond with your family without spending a lot, in fact entry is free,” he added. “Also, spending a few minutes under the sun also gives you more vitamin D for stronger bones.”
Besides swimming, beach volleyball, and other games, Cruz said he also joins some of his friends to do crabbing in some areas such as Al Khor during the peak season.
However, he lamented that some visitors leave their wastes and leftovers on the beach despite a lot of trash bins are located in the area.
Like Sealine and Dukhan, the Wakrah Family Beach has also been attracting a large number of visitors these days, it is learnt. A few minutes away from Doha, it features a play area for children, showers and toilets.
Beaches have also become popular destinations for both residents and visitors during Eid holidays.
Qatar residents enjoying the waters at Sealine beach
As the peak season for beach activities approaches, many residents in Qatar start to throng various locations not only for a weekend getaway but also for wellness and a healthy lifestyle.
