Leave the high-rises and busy streets of Doha behind to enjoy a day of family play on this beach north of the city.
On Qatar’s eastern coastline, visit Simaisma Beach, a long, wide stretch of sand with playground facilities for kids and barbecue and fly-fishing opportunities for all. Stroll along the beach to look for shells and watch seabirds as they flit among the mangroves dotting the shoreline.
Most of the family activities here happen on the beach rather than in the water. Kids can enjoy hours of fun in any of three covered playgrounds and on play equipment in the sand. Goals and nets are available for beach soccer and volleyball games.
Bring supplies to prepare a meal using the barbecue grills. Relax in the shade of one of the cabanas dotted along the length of the beach. Washrooms and showers are available to remove sand at the end of the day.
The beach has a very long and shallow shelf, meaning swimming is possible only at high tide without a very long walk toward the sea. A long stone jetty stretches out from the midpoint of the beach, with a launch for Jet Skis or boats from the far end of the pier. At low tide, drive out onto the jetty or walk in the shallow water from the beach to go fly-fishing in the boat channel next to the pier. Queen fish, needlefish, halfbeaks and bass swim in and out of the channel.
Take advantage of the photo opportunities here. A sunrise over the Persian Gulf is particularly striking with mangroves framing the view or seabirds reflected in glistening sand as waves recede.
Travel by car for 40 minutes north from the Souq Waqif in Doha or ride a bus for around an hour to reach Simaisma Beach. Free parking is available next to the central playground. Beach access is also free. Visit the mosque at the southern end of the beach and the green space of Simaisma Park just inland from the beach. The luxurious Simaisma, A Murwab Resort, is a 20-minute walk north along the sand.
Wear modest beach clothing, with shirts for men and non-bikinis for women preferred. Note that some beach times are reserved only for families.
