Discover Qatar whale sharks excursions have been extended until the end of August, giving marine and wildlife enthusiasts a month more to see these magnificent sea creatures in the northern coasts, Visit Qatar has posted on Twitter.
“Get up close to explore these majestic sea-dwellers in a comfortable cruise with all-inclusive amenities, food, beverages and great views,” the official social media tourism account of Qatar Tourism said.
Discover Qatar’s ‘Daily Explorer’ and ‘Private Charter’ itineraries, which allow guests to view the whale sharks for 2.5 hours from the vessel or via kayaks, offer an unforgettable experience without disrupting their natural habitat.
Discover Qatar stressed, however, that these tours “are subject to favourable weather conditions” but guests are usually notified 48 hours before departure.
The itinerary for ‘Private Charter’ starts at 5pm from the hotel and drives the guest to Fuwairit Kite Beach Resort. Yacht boarding is at 6.30am for a captain’s welcome, along with an overview of the yacht and its facilities before having breakfast.
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What you can expect • Blue water beaches & golden sand dunes |
According to Discover Qatar, sailing takes about 2.5 hours to reach the Whale Shark’s location. At 8.15am, guests will also be briefed about whale sharks via a presentation before the actual experience.
“Regardless of the riveting moniker, whale sharks impose no threat to humans, whether spectators or divers. They meander in warm and shallow sea waters of the Northern coasts of Qatar, located about 145 kilometres afar the shores of the capital city, Doha. Whale sharks appear in schools of over 100-150 fishes at a time,” VisitQatar noted.
Apart from the whale sharks excursions and other marine activities, Qatar also offers stopover packages for visitors who want to experience the country’s ‘golden desert’. These include desert safaris, camel riding, dune-bashing, camping at night with the family, and a visit to the inland sea and the rock formations at Zekreet, among other destinations and heritage sites.
Desert activities and tours have become increasingly popular for stopover visitors, which further boosts the country’s tourism and hospitality sectors, it is learnt.
For those who want to explore the city, VisitQatar suggests a dhow boat ride in order to “find the best views of Doha's iconic skyline.”
“Historically used for pearl diving and deep sea fishing, wooden dhows are now enjoyed by locals and visitors as a popular tourist attraction. This is definitely a must-visit activity when in Doha - you can book a dhow ride from Corniche and also indulge in a delicious traditional dinner to catch the skyline's sparkling lights,” VisitQatar noted.
