10 Best Adventure Sports in Qatar

Dune bashing in Qatar is one of the best ways to experience the country's unique desert landscapes. You can either rent a dune buggy or hire an experienced driver with a 4WD who will take you to Khor Al Adaid. This UNESCO-recognised nature reserve is well-known for its picturesque beaches with crystal-clear waters and golden sand dunes. Keep in mind that dune bashing is an adrenaline-fuelled activity that’s not suitable for the faint-hearted.

The warm turquoise waters of the Arabian Gulf are home to incredible marine life, so it comes as no surprise that scuba diving is a must-do in Qatar. Besides heading out to artificial reefs, you can enjoy a pleasant diving experience at the Macadeen shipwreck by taking a chartered boat. You’ll find many centres in Qatar that offer diving lessons for both beginners and experienced divers. Some of Qatar’s most popular scuba diving companies are Poseidon Diving Center and the Qatar Scuba Centre.

If you want to experience the adrenaline rush that comes with rock climbing, Qatar has several options. Home to extraordinary rock formations, Bir Zekreet is located on the west coast of Qatar and is a great place for rock-climbing. If you’re interested in bouldering, visit Musfur Sinkhole, a cave in Umm Al Shabrum. Families or those who prefer staying indoors can opt for the Galaxy Sports at Ezdan Mall in Al Gharafa.

Skydiving is one of the most adventurous things you can do in Qatar. Companies like Skydive Qatar have an excellent safety record and offer professional instructors who can teach everything there is to know about skydiving. After you jump out of a plane in Doha, you can enjoy spectacular views of a futuristic metropolis surrounded by a vast desert.

Kitesurfing is an excellent water sport to try in Qatar and many places in the country offer ideal conditions for this adventurous activity. Located just a short drive from Doha, you'll find Fuwairit. Unlike most beaches in Qatar, Fuwairit is easily accessible and attracts many kite surfers. There’s also Zekreet, a huge lagoon with shallow waters located just an hour's drive from Doha. This enclosed bay is an ideal spot for beginners. Some of the other popular kitesurfing locations in Qatar include Al Mafjar, Sumaysimah, and Al Aaliya Island. Kitesurfing season in Qatar runs from January to June.

There are many places in the world where you can have close encounters with camels, but Qatar takes things to the next level. You can either watch a camel race or enjoy a ride over the sand dunes in Qatar. Visit the Al Shahaniya Racetrack, which organises competitive domestic and international tournaments and offers visitors an opportunity to see prized camel races. If you want to ride a camel to admire the fascinating desert landscapes, a typical package includes a 1-hour-long camel ride, hotel transfers, and refreshments like Arabic coffee and tea.

When you’re out in the desert, quad biking is a great activity to enjoy. Similar to dune bashing, quad biking in Qatar is suitable for both experienced riders and beginners, though novices usually stick to the flat terrain and leave the steep dunes to the pros. Sealine Beach is one of the most popular destinations for quad biking in Qatar. There are numerous outlets where you can rent quads.

A combination of snowboarding and water skiing, wakeboarding has become a very popular activity in Qatar over the last couple of years. If you're a beginner, you’ll be happy to hear that this water sport is quite easy to learn. Located near Pearl Qatar, Diplomatic Club is the best destination in Doha to try wakeboarding. There's also Qatar Water Sport on the private beach of the InterContinental Doha, which is run by water sports enthusiasts who can make your wakeboarding adventure a memorable experience.

Thanks to its geographical location, Qatar offers ideal conditions for sailing year-round. With the help from the Regatta Sailing Academy, sailing the waters of the Arabian Gulf has never been easier. The highly experienced instructors offer a variety of certified sailing courses for all ages and abilities. A wide variety of boats and yachts can also be hired from Boat Lagoon Yachting.

If jet skiing is what you’re after, you’ll be happy to hear that Qatar offers many jet-ski safari tours. You can enjoy magnificent views of places like Pearl Qatar and the Corniche with a group of fellow thrill-seekers or opt for a solo journey with a jet ski.