Al Thakira Mangroves

The Al Thakira mangroves grow along the shallow lagoon beside the coastal town of Al Thakhira, about 7 kilometres northeast of Al Khor and roughly 60 kilometres north of Doha. Together with the mangroves of Al Khor, they form the largest mangrove area in Qatar.

The forest is made up of grey mangrove, Avicennia marina, one of the few trees able to grow in the salty, hot waters of the Gulf. The trees send up breathing roots called pneumatophores from the mud and help protect the coast from erosion.

The channels shelter crabs, small fish and other marine life, and the area is important for birds, including herons, flamingos and cormorants, especially during winter migration. The water is shallow and calm, which makes it popular for kayaking and paddleboarding.

Several local operators rent kayaks and run guided trips from the shore. Trips are best timed with high tide, as low tide can leave parts of the channels too shallow to paddle.

There is no entry fee to the shore area. Bring sun protection and water, and avoid stepping on the roots or disturbing nesting birds. The cooler months from November to March are the most comfortable for a visit.

Size of the mangroves and the 2006 nature reserve

The mangroves cover roughly 1,392 hectares along the shore and inlet shared by Al Thakhira and Al Khor, the densest mangrove habitat in Qatar. In 2006 the government declared the Al Thakhira Nature Reserve, which takes in about 14 square kilometres of mangroves, the island of Umm Al Far, stretches of coast, wadis and salt flats.

The reserve status is the reason the trees here are in better condition than on most of the Gulf coast. Paddle along the main channels and keep off the mud between the roots, where crabs and young fish shelter.

Crabs, wading birds and nesting turtles

Mud crabs are the animals most visitors see, scuttling across the banks at low water. Herons, egrets and terns feed in the channels all year, and migrating birds add numbers in winter. Sea turtles nest on the beach in late spring and early summer, so stay off marked nesting stretches at that time. Umm Al Far is known locally for safi, a rabbitfish prized in Qatari cooking.

Al Thakhira's pearling and fishing past

Al Thakhira is a small coastal town with about 6,200 residents in 2021. It was founded by Al Muhannadi families who moved from Al Khor, and its people lived from pearling and fishing until the oil era. Its beach runs for about 10 km, much of it salt flat. The mangroves are about a 60-minute drive from central Doha, so leave early to paddle in the calm morning water before the heat and wind build.