Qatar is a mesmerizing country in the Middle Eastern region which is blessed with so many natural wonders. From scenic beaches to exquisite islands, lush green parks to sky-high skyscrapers, Qatar is a great destination to explore on a holiday. With no dearth of luxury, Qatar has everything extravagant to offer to the tourists. The islands in Qatar are picturesque and promises a plethora of leisure activities with top-notch facilities for the comfort of visitors. Whether it's trying out the thrilling adventures or basking on the sandy areas with exotic flora and fauna, the islands here promise a soul-satisfying experience to everyone who loves nature and adventure.
Top 9 Islands In Qatar
Qatar is brimmed with so many beautiful islands. Stroll through this list of famous islands in Qatar to enjoy the mesmerizing beauty of nature.
1. Purple Island (Al Khor Island)
If you are looking for a tranquil escape in Qatar, then Purple Island can be your ideal option which is also one of the most famous Qatar islands. It is also known by the name of Jazirat bin Ghanim or Al Khor Island and is located on the northeastern coast of Qatar in Al Khor away from the city’s hustle-bustle. It is a great place to enjoy water sport activities. Kayaking can also be enjoyed here to spot the exotic variety of flora and fauna through the mangroves plantation for which it is famous. One can also spot fossils, different fishes, flowering plants and a lot more which makes this island a true delight for nature admirers.
Located at just an hour’s ride from Doha, Purple Island is green in color which is contrary to its name. It is a great place to spend some serene moments with your partner or family and feel the bliss of nature. Located in close proximity to the island is a resort where an ostentatious and comfortable stay can be enjoyed. The island also houses a 3000 BC old archaeological site which is the oldest site in Qatar making it a worth-visit place for all the history buffs. Findings have shown that the island was a site of production of a dye which was purple in color hence the name Purple Island.
Location: Northeast Qatar
How to Reach: It is very easy to get to the Purple Island from Doha. Take a cab from Doha and reach Purple Island through the Shamal Highway and reach here in 50 to 60 minutes.
Suggested Read: Top Places To Visit In Qatar On Your Next Trip
2. Banana Island
One of the best islands in Qatar, Banana Island is a man-made scenic island built on the Persian Gulf. If you are looking for a secluded place surrounded by immense picturesque landscape then Banana Island is the place to be. The island is a private property of the Anantara Resort that has amazing features. Water Villas with a sea view or pool view is the most intriguing part of this resort. It can be reached in around 30-minutes or even less from central Doha via a boat.
Banana Island in Qatar is a crescent-shaped island which also features a wooden swing where you can take some Instagram-worthy shots. Myriad water sports in Qatar can be enjoyed on the island like diving, kayaking, banana boat ride, snorkeling and paddle-boarding. In order to experience extravagant luxury and a comfy stay to enjoy the beauty of the island to the fullest, we recommend you to book a day or long stay at the Banana Island Resort by Anantara. A rejuvenating wellness and spa retreat can also be witnessed in this resort while soaking the picturesque views.
Location: 23919، Doha, Qatar
How to Reach: One can take a luxurious catamaran ferry from Doha Corniche and reach the island in 30-minutes.
3. Al Safliya Island
The list of islands in Qatar would be incomplete without the mention of Al Safliya Island. It is a small island located off the coast of Doha and offering stunning vistas of the surrounding landscape. This place is a heaven for adventure fanatics and people who love nature. There are no facilities available at this island and one needs to come well-equipped with their own facilities in order to enjoy completely on this secluded island. It does have some wooden umbrellas and a few pergolas for people to enjoy the shade and lay all day on the beach.
In close vicinity to the island lies the Pearl-Qatar Island which is another fascinating island in Qatar. Reaching this island from Doha takes around 30 to 40 minutes. Some of the best exhilarating adventures that can be enjoyed here are paddleboarding, kayaking, banana boat ride, jet skiing and a lot more. Enchanting views of the Doha’s skyline can also be witnessed from this island especially during the sunset.
Location: Off the coast of Doha, Qatar
How to Reach: One can take either a dhow ride or a speed boat ride from Doha Corniche or the Pearl to reach Al Safliya Island.
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4. The Pearl-Qatar
The Pearl-Qatar is a luxurious man-made island in Qatar which is spread in a whopping area of 4,000,000 square meters. It is one of the best islands in Doha that offer the most luxurious retreat to everyone. The island is home to extravagant malls, ostentatious villas, luxury towers, fine-dining restaurants, catchy marinas, plush and chic boutiques and a lot more. It also has canals which give it a feel of Venice along with myriad options for entertainment.
It is the only place in Qatar where the foreigners can buy their own residential property in the country. It is the only place in Qatar where foreigners can buy their own residential property in the country. In fact, there are many Qatar hotels for couples on their honeymoon here. The island is equipped with all the modern amenities making it a great place to settle down with your family to enjoy luxury. Witness the mesmerizing views of the waterfront from the island and bask on the enthralling beaches to enjoy the tranquil bliss of nature. One can enjoy a fine-dining experience at any of the waterfront lined cafes and enjoy stunning views of the sea. For all the shopaholics, there are chic boutiques and malls here where one can shop for high-end brands.
Location: Off the coast of Doha’s West Way, Qatar
How to Reach: The best way to reach the Pearl-Qatar is by taking a taxi and it will take around 20 minutes to reach the island. Other options like metro and public buses are also available which are comparatively cheaper.
5. Old Palm Tree Island
The list of famous islands in Qatar would be incomplete without the mention of Old Palm Tree Island which is nestled in the picturesque location in the center of Doha Bay. One can enjoy truly divine views of the Doha Corniche, waterfront promenade and the exemplary monuments of Doha including the MIA. Earlier the island was barren and was just popular for offering stunning views but now it has been equipped with quite a few facilities including the seafood restaurant. It is very easy to get to this island from Doha in a dhow boat and it takes just 10 minutes to reach the island. The island also features facilities for children like playing area and other leisure activities. One can also find sailboats, fishing boats, camel and horse racing activities on the island.
Location: In the middle of Doha Bay, Qatar
How to Reach: The best way to reach the island is by taking a dhow ride from Doha Corniche and reach the island in a few minutes.
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6. Al Aaliya Island
One of the best offbeat islands in Qatar is the Al Aaliya Island which is nestled off the coast of Al Daayen to the north of the Pearl-Qatar. It is the best island to try out snorkeling, thus many people who love this adventure visit the island frequently by booking flights to Qatar. One can reach this island in around 25 to 30 minutes and spend some time in tranquility here. It is also a great place to enjoy fishing and get quality fishes. It is brown in color and a great place to enjoy some private time and get close to nature. The island is spread in an area of about 1.8 km and has rocky deposits with the sand surface.
Location: Eastern side of Doha, Qatar
How to Reach: Take a boat ride from Doha to Al Aaliya Island and reach here in around 25 to 30 minutes.
7. Shura Awa Island
A little island of tranquility, Shuru Awa Island is located away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Surrounded by turquoise blue waters and golden sand beach, the island is a great place to enjoy a walk on the soft sand while enjoying the enchanting natural beauty of the place. The island is around 1 km long dotted with green bushes and rocky hills. It is also blessed with the exotic coral reef which one must definitely explore on their trip to Shura Awa Island. It is also home to some migratory birds who come here during the time of season change.
Location: Off the coast of Qatar
How to Reach: One can take a boat from Doha and reach the island in 1 hour as it is located close to Diynah Island
8. Ishat Island
Ishat Island is one of the top islands in Qatar which is spread in an area of approx. 20 square kilometers on the southeastern part of Qatar. The scenic location and the pleasant weather of this island makes it an ideal place to enjoy some time in tranquility. In order to take a break from the hectic work life and to escape into the bliss of nature, people come to this island to relax and enjoy some leisure time. Guided tours to this island are also arranged by different travel operators. The island is surrounded by various rocks and three islets.
Location: South-eastern part of Qatar
How to Reach: A boat ride from Doha will take you to the Ishat Island
Suggested Read: Discover Qatar With The Most Historical Places in Qatar
9. Halul Island
One of the finest islands in Qatar located about 80KM to the northeast of Doha, Halul Island is a fine location to experience the tranquility of hilly terrains and shoreline. The significance of the island is extremely high considering the fact that it is a strange space and loading terminal for oil from the nearby surrounding areas. In fact, one of the main bases of the Qatari Navy is located in Hakul itself. One can visit here to witness the fine hilly terrains of the region.
Location - 80 KM Northeast of Doha
How To Reach - Travelers can hire a bus from any popular location of the country to reach the offshore of Halul
If you are looking for a tranquil escape into nature then we recommend you to visit these stunning islands in Qatar. It is very easy to get to these islands from Doha via a boat ride. Offering a secluded, divine and a refreshing experience to everyone, Qatar islands come as a boost of energy to a tiring soul who is looking for a fresh start in life. We hope this list of best islands in Qatar would be of little help to you in planning your Qatar holidays in a hassle-free way.
Islands In Qatar FAQs
The easiest way to reach the Banana Island from Doha is to take the luxurious catamaran from Doha Corniche which is provided by the Banana Island Resort. It takes 30 minutes to reach the island from here.
The Pearl-Qatar is located at a distance of around 27.5 km from the Hamad International Airport and it takes approximately 30 minutes to cover this distance.
There are so many amazing things which tourists can enjoy on their trip to Purple Island like kayaking through mangroves, spotting flora and fossils, exploring 3000 years old archaeological site, waters adventures and a lot more.
Banana Island is famous for its Instagram-worthy spot which is the wooden swing, the luxurious resort by Anantara to enjoy a lavish stay and also for water sports adventures.
Pearl-Qatar is a great place to enjoy luxury in every nook and corner. One can enjoy shopping from the high-end malls and boutiques, enjoy adventures on beaches, stay in lavish villas or relish a dinner in fine-dining restaurants with scenic views.
One can try various exhilarating adventures at Al Safliya Island like paddle boarding, kayaking, banana boat ride, jet skiing and various others.
Al Khor Island is famous for the exotic variety of flora and fauna. There is also a 3000 BC old archaeological site which can be explored. It is also quite famous for its mangrove plantation, so kayaking through it one of the adventures to try at the Al Khor Island.
Shuru Awa Island is definitely worth visiting as the island is heavenly beautiful with turquoise-colored waters, golden sandy beaches and exotic variety of coral reefs.
