Marine cruises and water sports are seeing growing interest during the summer, offering families and young people alternatives to conventional leisure activities while allowing them to enjoy Qatar’s coastline and maritime heritage.
Evening boat trips have become particularly popular as temperatures ease after sunset.
Visitors can choose from traditional wooden dhows, speedboats, private yachts, fishing trips and dinner cruises, while boats and yachts are also available for family gatherings and private celebrations.
Old Doha Port has emerged as a major departure point for organised marine excursions, particularly from the marina opposite Box Park.
Other trips operate from the Doha Corniche, The Pearl-Qatar and Lusail Marina, where several companies offer boat and yacht rentals.
Common routes pass landmarks including the Corniche, Katara Cultural Village, The Pearl, Old Doha Port and the West Bay skyline, with standard excursions generally lasting one to two hours.
A bookings officer at a marine excursion company said that demand had increased noticeably this season, particularly among visitors from Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries.
Many opt for private trips along the Corniche and around West Bay, with some excursions extending to Al Safliya Island for several hours.
He said that prices vary depending on the boat and duration, with vessels generally accommodating 5-10 passengers.
Half-hour private trips start around QR250 and can reach QR300 depending on the size of the boat.
Some tours include stops for photographs near landmarks such as Stadium 974 and the West Bay towers.
A tourist boat captain at Old Doha Port said the variety of vessels and routes had helped attract different types of visitors.
In addition to sightseeing trips around Doha, operators offer excursions to Al Safliya and Banana Islands, as well as offshore fishing trips.
Along the Doha Corniche, operators said that demand is strongest during the late afternoon and evening, continuing until about 10pm on weekdays and midnight on weekends.
Group excursions can be relatively affordable, with fares in some cases starting at no more than QR15 per person, while trips typically last 30-45 minutes.
Traditional dhows operating along the Corniche, from the Museum of Islamic Art area towards the Sheraton Doha, offer visitors a combination of Qatar’s maritime heritage and views of the modern skyline.
Online booking platforms have made marine tourism more accessible, allowing customers to reserve trips, choose boat types and durations, make electronic payments and specify departure and return points.
Visitors from across the GCC have praised the experiences.
Kuwaiti visitor Abdullah Saad described his first trip from Old Doha Port with his family as enjoyable, particularly the journey towards the Dafna towers.
Saudi visitor Abdullah al-Otaibi said Qatar’s marine excursions offered good value for money and high service quality compared with similar experiences elsewhere.
Saudi visitor Saad al-Houshan highlighted the route from Old Doha Port past Stadium 974 towards the West Bay skyline, saying that he intended to repeat the experience.
Kuwaiti visitor Badr al-Azmi also praised the professionalism of crews, reasonable prices and the opportunity to see several of Doha’s major landmarks within a relatively short time.
Beyond sightseeing, water sports are attracting significant participation from young people.
Jet skis, jet boats, swimming, water skiing, fishing and trips to nearby islands such as Al Safliya, Banana and Al Maha have become popular summer activities.
Enthusiasts said the cooler hours after the afternoon heat are particularly suitable for marine activities.
Mohamed al-Nuaimi said jet skiing attracts many young Qataris, with some practising several times a week.
He said trips often run from around 4pm until 8pm or 9pm and may include visits to nearby islands.
Mohamed Khaled al-Darwish said trying a jet ski with his son offered a different kind of family experience.
He chose Katara Beach after discovering the activity through social media, noting that rentals are subject to age, safety and operating requirements.
Prices can start at around QR250 for 30 minutes.
Al-Darwish stressed that enjoyment must be accompanied by responsible behaviour, including wearing life jackets and safety wristbands, avoiding dangerous manoeuvres and maintaining a safe distance from swimming areas, fishing boats, yachts and ships.
The activities also offer a way to connect recreation with Qatar’s maritime traditions.
Khaled al-Badr, who has practised deep-sea fishing since 2016, said he often takes family members and younger relatives on marine trips.
Such outings, he said, provide an opportunity to reduce reliance on phones and electronic devices while introducing younger generations to fishing, swimming and traditional knowledge of the sea.