Hidden places in Al Khor & Al Thakira

Al Khor, about 50 km north of Doha, has Al Farkiya family beach, the footbridge walk to Purple Island and, nearby at Al Thakhira, the best mangrove kayaking in Qatar. It makes an easy half-day or full-day trip.

No. The roads are paved, and the dirt track to the Purple Island parking area is usually fine for a normal car in dry weather; just avoid soft sand.

Since 2020 the ministry has reserved Sundays and Wednesdays for women and children under 10, from 7am to 10pm, with families welcome on other days. The beach is open daily from 7am to midnight.

From October to April, around high tide and ideally in the morning. See our Al Thakhira kayaking guide for how tours work.

There is no metro to Al Khor, and although a taxi or ride-hailing car can bring you from Doha, finding one for the return is difficult. Drive, book a tour or agree a pick-up time in advance.

Archaeologists found remains of a purple dye industry on Jazirat Bin Ghanim dating back around 3,000 years, when dye was made from sea snails.