Al Ghariyah Beach

Al Ghariyah Beach is a free public beach with calm, shallow water on Qatar's north-east coast in Al Shamal Municipality, about 80 km north of Doha just past Fuwairit. It suits campers and families looking for a quiet half day by the sea, with the ruins of an 1885 village and cup-mark carvings close by.

Al Ghariyah lies in Al Shamal Municipality on the northeast coast, just beyond Fuwairit. Its name comes from ghar, the Arabic word for cave, after the many low hills around it pitted with small caves. Being on the coast, the village had no direct access to good groundwater, and its people traded fish and pearls with neighbouring settlements for water.

About 100 members of the Al Buainain and Al Jehran tribes founded the village in 1885 after leaving Al Wakrah following a dispute with Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani. The settlers later moved to Qatif, and in 1908 the British official J. G. Lorimer described Ghariyah as deserted, with a ruined fort. It was later repopulated and opened its first formal school in 1957, but in the mid-20th century, like other northern coastal villages, it was abandoned again when diesel pumps drained its aquifer.

Remains of buildings from the 17th to the mid-19th century survive near the shore. Jebel Ghariyah, a low wind-worn ridge about 200 metres long and 5 metres high, carries cup-mark carvings, which some scholars think were used for board games such as mancala.

The beach is a favourite camping spot, and the Scout and Guide Association of Qatar holds a desert camp here. Sea turtles nest on this coast from late spring to early summer, and the ministry monitors the nests. Al Ghariya Resort, with coastal villas, has been built nearby as part of government efforts to promote the area.

The public beach has no entry fee and only basic facilities, so bring water, shade, food and rubbish bags. A four-wheel drive helps on the sandy tracks. The cooler months are the main camping season, and turtle nesting areas may be fenced off in season; keep well away from marked nests.

The drive from Doha takes one to 1.5 hours north on Al Shamal Road, then east to the coast; a 4x4 helps on the sandy tracks to quieter spots, and there is no public transport. The beach is soft sand with no boardwalks, shops or lifeguards. Turtle nesting runs roughly from April to July, when parts of the coast are patrolled and protected. November to April is the comfortable season, and summer is extremely hot.

Visit Qatar lists Al Ghariya among the country's public beaches for its green spaces and shallow water, and recommends it for camping and beach games with family or friends. It also notes that many public beaches in Qatar are going through enhancement projects and that most free beaches have no lifeguards.