By air
Hamad (DOH), ~1 h by 4x4
Middle East · Qatar
Inland Sea, Qatar
Where the dunes meet the sea
Getting there
Best time to visit
November to March — mild
Don't miss
Khor Al Adaid
The Sealine dunes
Things to do
Dune drives
Swimming in the inland sea
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: LBM1948 · CC BY-SA 4.0
What to pack
Swimwear, sun protection
A quieter corner
Camping on the dunes overnight
Questions travellers ask
When should I visit the Inland Sea?
November to March, when it's mild. Bring swimwear and sun protection.
How do I get to Khor Al Adaid?
From Hamad (DOH) it's about 1 h by 4x4 to where the dunes meet the sea.
What can I do at the Inland Sea?
Take a dune drive, swim in the inland sea at Khor Al Adaid, and see the Sealine dunes.
Can I stay overnight at the Inland Sea?
Yes — camping on the dunes overnight is the hidden gem, with a camp barbecue for dinner.
About Inland Sea
- Desert
- Coastal
Where it is
The Inland Sea, Khor Al Adaid, is a tidal inlet of the Gulf in the far south-east of Qatar, on the border with Saudi Arabia, reached across high sand dunes south of Mesaieed and Sealine.
History
For centuries Bedouin herders grazed their camels on these dunes and fishermen worked the inlet, and the area has no permanent settlement. It is now protected as the Khor Al Adaid Nature Reserve for its rare landscape of dunes, salt flats and tidal water.
People
No towns stand on the Inland Sea; visitors come mostly from Doha on desert tours, and Qatari families camp on the dunes in the cooler months, a popular winter pastime. Arabic is spoken, and camps serve Qatari dishes such as machboos with Arabic coffee and dates.
Known for
- Dune drives in four-wheel drives
- Swimming where the dunes meet the sea
- Overnight desert camping
- Sandboarding on the high dunes
- Sunsets over the inlet
Did you know?
At Khor Al Adaid the sea reaches deep into a sand desert, with dunes running right down to the water's edge.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.