Khor Al Adaid (Inland Sea)

Khor Al Adaid, usually called the Inland Sea, is Qatar's most dramatic natural landscape. It lies in the far south-east of the country, near the border with Saudi Arabia, between 60 and 80 kilometres from Doha, where a tidal inlet of the Gulf reaches deep into a field of sand dunes. The area is a protected nature reserve and is on UNESCO's Tentative List for World Heritage status.

There are no paved roads, so the only way in is by four-wheel drive across the dunes, some of which rise to about 40 metres. For most visitors that means a desert safari with a licensed operator, who drives the dunes with you as passengers, a ride that is often called dune bashing. The reward is the view from the dunes down to the water, where the sea meets the sand.

Once there, activities include sandboarding, quad biking and camel rides, and many trips include a swim or simply time on the beach. The tide shapes the experience: the sea advances across the sand in the morning to form the inland sea and pulls back in the evening. Wildlife includes fish, turtles, crustaceans, flamingos, ospreys and other birds, and oryx and gazelles are sometimes seen. Overnight beach camping is popular, and sunrise is the best time for wildlife.

The trip suits adventurous couples, groups and families with older children; anyone who suffers from motion sickness or back problems should mention it to the operator, as dune driving is bumpy. Do not attempt the drive yourself without off-road experience and a second vehicle. The cooler months are the most comfortable for a safari, and summer trips are best kept to late afternoon. Bring sun protection, water and something warm for winter evenings in the desert.

Ask your operator how long the trip lasts and what is included before you book, as half-day and overnight options are both common. If you bring your own fishing gear, you can fish from the shore. Several of the Doha tour companies listed in our tours section run desert safaris to the Inland Sea, so compare what each one includes.