Rides in Doha

Rides from Doha begin with a drive south. Mesaieed, an oil port that was Qatar's only deepwater harbour for more than twenty years, lies some 40 km down the coast. Beyond the refineries Sealine Beach marks the start of the sand. The city has its own, smaller rides. The Corniche runs seven kilometres round the bay, with the West Bay towers across the water, and The Pearl, a reclaimed island of nearly 4 sq km, lies 350 m off West Bay.

Doha rides tours come in three kinds. The desert safari goes south in a 4x4 for dunes, sandboarding, a camel stop and the Inland Sea, where a swim is possible when sea and weather allow. The combination day uses the morning for the city, linking Souq Waqif, Katara, West Bay, The Pearl and Lusail Marina, then drives out to the dunes. The third is a guided tour of the city by motorbike, for riders who would rather see the skyline than the sand. A desert safari timed for cruise passengers starts at the port.

Practical. Heat decides the city rides: January afternoons reach about 23C and July ones 42C, and a motorbike or an open vehicle gives no shade, so go early or choose the cooler months. The sun is constant: Doha logs about 245 hours of sunshine in January, roughly eight a day, so sunglasses and sun cream matter in winter too. At the desert edge sand and dust are the nuisance, so carry a scarf and keep the phone in a bag. Winter evenings turn cool, and a light jacket helps on the dunes after sunset. The metro and taxis cover the city, but nothing public runs to the dunes.