With an incredible 560 kilometers of breathtaking coastline, warm Gulf waters, and year-round sunshine, Qatar has established itself as a premier destination for beach lovers and adventure seekers alike. The country’s diverse beaches cater to all preferences, whether you’re looking for vibrant social scenes, serene natural escapes, or family-friendly spots.

From luxurious beach clubs to hidden gems untouched by crowds, each location offers a unique experience that showcases the natural beauty and cultural richness of Qatar. Get ready to unwind, explore, and discover the perfect beach getaway!

Doha Sands Beach Club

Your Oasis of Fun!
Dive into a vibrant atmosphere at Doha Sands Beach Club, where lively music and sun-soaked relaxation await. Enjoy exclusive access with every West Bay hotel booking through Discover Qatar. Indulge in delicious snacks from various kiosks, lounge on comfy sunbeds, and dance to the beats of talented DJs. The club also hosts themed events and beach parties, making it perfect for both families and nightlife enthusiasts.

• Activities: Water sports, beach games, and live DJ sessions enhance the beach experience.
• Family-Friendly: Designated kids' areas with activities ensure fun for all ages.
• Dining: A variety of food options from local cuisine to international favorites.

Opening Hours: 10 AM – 5 PM
Amenities: Snack kiosks, sunbeds, showers, and restrooms.

Al Maha Island

Entertainment Meets Luxury!
Al Maha Island is a sprawling 230,000 square meters of fun, featuring attractions like Lusail Winter Wonderland and the upscale Nammos Beach Club. Experience world-class dining with options from Zuma to casual eateries like Pura Vida, ensuring a delightful blend of leisure and excitement. The island also offers water sports, beach cabanas, and live entertainment events throughout the year.

• Attractions: Lusail Winter Wonderland for family-friendly entertainment and seasonal festivities.
• Dining Options: From fine dining to casual eateries, there's something for every palate.
• Water Activities: Jet skiing, parasailing, and snorkeling are among the available options.

Highlights:

• Dining Options: Fine dining and casual eateries
• Activities: Water sports, winter wonderland attractions, and beach clubs.

Fuwairit Beach

Nature’s Gem!
Fuwairit Beach boasts powdery white sands and crystal-clear waters, ideal for kitesurfing and beach volleyball. This beautiful beach is also a nesting site for Hawksbill sea turtles from April to July, providing a unique touch of nature’s wonder. The beach is surrounded by scenic dunes, making it a perfect spot for photography and nature walks.

• Activities: Kitesurfing lessons available for beginners.
• Wildlife: Observe nesting turtles and various bird species in their natural habitat.
• Scenic Views: Ideal for sunset watching and photography.

Distance from Doha: 1.5 to 2 hours by car
Activities: Kitesurfing, beach volleyball, turtle watching.

Khor Al Adaid Beach

A Unique Retreat!
Known as the Inland Sea, Khor Al Adaid Beach offers a tranquil escape with stunning dune landscapes. Experience the magic of shifting sands and breathtaking sunsets in this serene environment. It’s a popular spot for camping, picnicking, and off-road driving, offering a chance to explore the nearby desert.

• Activities: Dune bashing and guided desert tours available.
• Camping: Designated areas for overnight camping under the stars.
• Photography: Stunning landscapes make it a favorite for photographers.

Distance from Doha: 80 km, best accessed by 4x4
Activities: Dune bashing, camping, stargazing.

Al Shamal Beach

Family-Friendly Fun!
Stretching along the Shamal Corniche, Al Shamal Beach features shallow waters perfect for children. With ample amenities like shade structures, fixed benches, and washrooms, it’s the ideal spot for a relaxing family day. The beach is also a great place for picnics, beach games, and exploring nearby historical sites.

• Amenities: Family-friendly facilities include picnic tables and playgrounds.
• Historical Sites: Nearby archaeological sites add educational value to your visit.
• Water Safety: Lifeguards on duty during peak hours ensure family safety.

Distance from Doha: 97 km, about 1.5 hours by car
Amenities: Family-friendly facilities, picnic areas, and playgrounds.

Al Thakhira Beach

Serene Sanctuary!
Located 35-40 km from Doha, Al Thakhira Beach is a perfect spot for swimming and sunbathing, surrounded by Qatar’s largest mangrove reserves. Enjoy picnics and barbecues in this peaceful setting, where you can also engage in birdwatching and explore the unique mangrove ecosystem.

• Eco-Tours: Guided tours available for birdwatching and mangrove exploration.
• Picnic Areas: Designated spots for family gatherings and barbecues.
• Water Activities: Kayaking through the mangroves offers a unique perspective of nature.

Distance from Doha: About an hour’s drive
Activities: Swimming, picnicking, birdwatching.

Al Ghariya Beach

Island Paradise!
Al Ghariya Beach, situated northeast of Qatar, offers pristine sands and lush greenery. Ideal for outdoor activities and weekend camping, this beach is a favorite among locals and tourists alike. The shallow waters are safe for children, making it a great family destination.

• Camping Facilities: Designated camping areas with amenities for overnight stays.
• Outdoor Sports: Volleyball and beach soccer are popular activities.
• Exploration: Nearby islands offer opportunities for snorkeling and exploring marine life.

Distance from Doha: 80 km, accessible by 4x4
Activities: Camping, water sports, beach games.

Al Wakrah Beach

Family-Friendly Escape!
Al Wakrah Beach is perfect for families seeking a relaxing day by the sea. With excellent facilities, including gazebos, children’s playgrounds, and sports courts, it’s a great spot for fun and relaxation. The beach also features a scenic promenade lined with cafés and restaurants offering a variety of cuisines.

• Dining Options: A variety of eateries along the promenade serve diverse cuisines.
• Sports Facilities: Volleyball courts and soccer fields are available for active families.
• Scenic Walks: The promenade is perfect for leisurely strolls and sunset views.

Distance from Doha: 30 km via Ras Abu Abboud Expressway
Amenities: Gazebos, playgrounds, and dining options.

Al Aaliya Island

Snorkeling Paradise!
A hidden gem for snorkeling enthusiasts, Al Aaliya Island is surrounded by vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life. Enjoy a peaceful day in nature, perfect for family outings and adventure seekers. The island's untouched beauty and clear waters make it ideal for a day of exploration.

• Snorkeling Gear: Rentals available on-site for ease of access.
• Fishing Opportunities: Ideal spots for fishing enthusiasts to explore.
• Eco-Friendly Practices: Conservation efforts in place to protect marine life.

Travel Method: 30-minute boat ride from central Doha
Activities: Snorkeling, fishing, and nature walks.

Zekreet Beach

Picturesque Solitude!
Zekreet Beach features stunning limestone formations and a tranquil atmosphere, ideal for camping under the stars. Explore unique geological features while enjoying the serene landscape. The beach is also known for its breathtaking sunsets and is a great spot for photography and nature lovers.

• Geological Features: Explore unique limestone structures and rock formations.
• Camping: Designated camping spots for a night under the stars.
• Wildlife Watching: Spot diverse wildlife, including migratory birds and local fauna.

Distance from Doha: 90 km, accessible by standard or 4x4 vehicles
Activities: Camping, photography, exploring rock formations.

Mafjar Beach

Cultural and Natural Beauty!
Mafjar Beach combines clean sandy shores with the remnants of an abandoned village, offering a unique experience. Perfect for families, this beach provides excellent facilities for a day of fun. Visitors can explore the historical ruins while enjoying activities like snorkeling and picnicking.

• Historical Exploration: Wander around the remnants of the old village for a glimpse into the past.
• Snorkeling: Clear waters provide great visibility for underwater exploration.
• Picnic Areas: Well-equipped spots for family gatherings and meals by the sea.

Distance from Doha: Drive north on Shamal Road, approximately 2.5 km from the last roundabout
Activities: Snorkeling, exploring ruins, picnicking.

Dukhan Beach

Idyllic Getaway!
On the west coast, Dukhan Beach offers a serene escape with dramatic landscapes. Known for its camping spots and water sports, it’s an excellent weekend destination for families and friends. The beach features soft golden sands and is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing by the shore.

• Camping Spots: Designated areas for overnight camping with facilities.
• Water Sports: Opportunities for snorkeling, swimming, and fishing.
• Scenic Views: Dramatic cliffs and sunsets make it a photographers' delight.

Distance from Doha: 90 km, roughly a 45-minute drive
Activities: Camping, watersports, swimming.

Each of these stunning beaches offers a unique experience, ensuring that your time in Qatar is filled with relaxation, adventure, and unforgettable memories. Whether you're seeking family-friendly fun, thrilling water sports, or tranquil solitude, Qatar's beaches have something for everyone. Plan your visit today and create lasting memories by the sea!

For the first time, Air New Zealand’s iconic koru logo will land in Nova Scotia, as the airline’s latest Airbus A321neo forgoes its usual route through the Middle East, opting for a transatlantic trek fueled by shifting global tensions and logistical opportunity.

When Air New Zealand acquires new aircraft from Airbus’s German factories, delivery flights have traditionally threaded through aviation hubs in the Middle East and Asia common pitstops include Oman, Malaysia, and Australia. But ongoing hostilities and rising risk near Iran and Israel have forced the carrier to chart an entirely different path.

This week, the carrier’s shiny new A321neo (registration ZK-NNI) will swap its routine desert stopovers for the unfamiliar runways of Halifax, Canada, marking a historic first for the airline.

The geopolitical tremors shaking the Strait of Hormuz led Air NZ to reroute. While the skies above Dubai and Doha still thrum with flight traffic, the airline’s chief safety and risk officer, Nathan McGraw, says the ongoing unpredictability in the region isn’t worth the gamble.

“We continuously conduct risk and safety assessments for our flights and with the ongoing uncertainty in the Middle East, and some airspace restrictions, we made the decision to fly the aircraft home via Canada and the United States,” says McGraw.

Choosing North America wasn’t just about safety. Air NZ has daily operations in North America, giving the carrier a reliable support network for its newest jet.

Some delivery flights in recent years have stopped in Gander, Newfoundland—the small Canadian airport immortalized in the musical Come From Away. This time, Halifax gets the nod. McGraw points to Swissport, a trusted ground handler already stationed in Halifax, and the carrier’s existing presence in Vancouver, as logistical reasons for the switch.

Navigating the North Atlantic’s buzzing flight paths, Air NZ relies on advanced planning software to map the most efficient route. “It’s like a highway in the sky, with several lanes of traffic,” McGraw explains. “Our tool, FlightKeys, picks the best track factoring in winds, fuel, and traffic, helping us cross over safely to Halifax.”
The new route stretches 21,078 km—about 1,000 km longer than the familiar Muscat-to-Auckland journey. That solitary stretch means burning an additional 2.7 tonnes of fuel. “We’ll be carrying a full tank for each leg—except the shortest, between Samoa and Auckland,” states McGraw.

Getting the plane home takes nearly a week due to mandatory rest periods. The trip starts with four pilots from Hamburg to Halifax, then three pilots cover the remaining legs, stopping in Vancouver, Honolulu, Apia, and finally landing in Auckland. Alongside the crew, only engineers and a programme manager hitch a ride, as the jet’s empty cabin speeds climbs and eases logistics.

As the A321neo arcs over unfamiliar North American skies and touches down in the maritime chill of Nova Scotia, Air New Zealand reaffirms its deep commitment to safety—even if it means rewriting the flight plan. With its homeland in sight at the end of a longer journey, this latest delivery flight is a high-tech testament to adapting in an unpredictable world.

Qatar Navigation (Milaha) and Qatar Airways Group have cemented a strategic alliance by signing a five-year agreement for comprehensive warehousing and logistics services—a key milestone in the collaboration between these two national champions of Qatar. Under this partnership, Milaha will deliver end-to-end supply chain solutions encompassing warehousing, inventory management, and distribution support, leveraging advanced logistics technologies and real-time visibility tools tailored to Qatar Airways Group’s evolving needs.

The partnership highlights a mutual commitment to operational excellence and superior service quality, reinforcing Milaha’s standing as the preferred logistics partner for major entities in Qatar and the region. Qatar Airways Group selected Milaha after a competitive evaluation process, impressed by Milaha’s robust digital infrastructure, integrated systems, and consistent track record in providing reliable and customer-centric logistics solutions.

Cutting-edge technologies, including automated inventory tracking, data-driven performance analytics, and sophisticated warehouse management systems, will underpin seamless coordination and enhance service delivery across Qatar Airways’ supply chain. This technological edge represents a significant step forward in creating resilient, efficient logistics operations aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030’s goals of building world-class, technology-enabled, and sustainable supply chain capabilities.

Milaha Group CEO Fahad bin Saad al-Qahtani expressed pride in the partnership, emphasizing the foundation of mutual trust and a shared vision for service excellence. He highlighted the agreement’s role in positioning Milaha as a strategic enabler of national connectivity and global competitiveness through dependable logistics solutions. Meanwhile, Qatar Airways Group CEO Badr Mohammed al-Meer noted that the collaboration strengthens supply chain resilience and supports the airline’s global expansion, further contributing to the nation’s vision for sustainable growth.

This long-term agreement not only deepens the strategic alliance between two of Qatar’s flagship companies but also underscores their dedication to innovation, infrastructure investment, and human capital development. Together, Milaha and Qatar Airways are driving forward Qatar’s ambitions to be a leading regional and international hub for logistics and aviation services, delivering world-class operational standards and continuing the nation’s journey towards economic diversification and sustainability.

Shares of Singapore Airlines (SIA) took a sharp tumble in early trading on July 29, plunging as much as 8.6 percent following the announcement of a steep 59 percent decline in the group’s first-quarter net profit for the financial year 2025/26. The stock closed down 7.4 percent at $7.04, marking the largest intra-day drop since August 2024, with heavy trading volume of 38.5 million shares.

SIA reported net profit of S$186 million for the three months ended June 30, down from S$452 million a year earlier. This sharp fall was driven primarily by lower interest income and significant losses shared from associates, chiefly Air India, in which SIA owns a 25.1 percent stake. Air India’s financial results were newly included from December 2024 after the full integration of Vistara into Air India, whereas they were absent from the prior year’s first quarter results, explaining part of the steep decline.

Despite the profit setback, the group recorded strong operational performance: total revenue rose 1.5 percent to S$4.79 billion, supported by record passenger numbers. SIA and its subsidiary Scoot carried a combined 10.3 million passengers in the quarter, a 6.9 percent increase year-on-year, with passenger load factor improving slightly to 87.6 percent as growth in traffic outpaced capacity expansion.

 However, passenger yields fell 2.9 percent due to intensified competition amid capacity increases by other airlines. Cargo revenue also declined amid falling yields and wider capacity over cargo demand.

Analysts pointed to the drag on SIA’s bottom line from Air India’s continued losses and the lingering impact from the Air India Flight 171 crash in June, which led to flight cuts and a reported 20 percent drop in bookings on domestic and international routes. Market reactions included downgrades by several analysts, with target prices lowered and warnings of potential further losses from Air India.

Nonetheless, some experts remain cautiously optimistic about SIA’s outlook, noting stabilizing passenger yields and ongoing strengths in brand, service, and innovation that should help the airline to navigate current market challenges and transition towards renewed growth.

In summary, Singapore Airlines faces near-term headwinds from associate losses and competitive pressure on yields despite solid travel demand and record passenger traffic, reflecting a mixed outlook amid volatile global and regional aviation market conditions.

The US Department of State has rolled out a significant update to its visa policies, tightening the rules for those seeking entry into the country. As of September 2, 2025, nearly all nonimmigrant visa applicants  including children under 14 and adults over 79   will be required to appear in person for a consular interview, a sharp reversal from the previous, more lenient waiver provisions.

Until now, many applicants could bypass the rigorous in-person interview step by qualifying for a visa interview waiver   often through an online eligibility screening, followed by the convenience of mailing in application materials rather than scheduling a visit to the Embassy.

That changes with the new directives, which supersede policies introduced just months ago in February. Now, only select categories of travelers will remain eligible to apply without the standard interview, marking a tightened security and verification protocol by US authorities.

There are exceptions to the tougher rules. The following applicants may still qualify for the interview waiver under specific criteria:

• Diplomats and Foreign Government Officials: Those applying under classifications such as A-1, A-2, C-3 (excluding certain attendants and staff), G-series, NATO categories, or TECRO E-1 for official or diplomatic missions.
• Renewals of B-1, B-2 Visas or Border Crossing Cards: Travelers renewing a full-validity B-1, B-2, B1/B2 visa, or Mexican Border Crossing Card within 12 months of expiration provided they were at least 18 years old when the last visa was granted. Additional conditions include applying from their home country or residence, a clean visa refusal history (unless previously remedied), and no signs of ineligibility.

Despite these exceptions, consular officers retain the authority to request an interview for any applicant at their discretion, further emphasizing the department's commitment to rigorous immigration screening.
For the vast majority of nonimmigrant visa hopefuls, planning an in-person Embassy visit will now be standard. The overhaul aims to enhance security, but it will also likely increase wait times and logistical demands for travelers and families seeking entry to the United States.

As always, applicants are advised to check eligibility during the online registration process. The site’s updated questionnaire will determine whether a person will be directed to schedule an interview or can proceed via the waiver program  now reserved for the narrow categories outlined above.

Visa seekers are urged to review the new guidelines thoroughly and prepare for in-person interviews as the default pathway to US entry starting this September.

Türkiye’s leading airports, Istanbul and Antalya, recently shattered single-day passenger traffic records amid ongoing rapid growth in air travel and tourism.

On July 26, Antalya Airport welcomed 225,118 passengers, surpassing its previous peak of 223,217 set in August 2024. The breakdown included 203,348 international and 21,770 domestic travelers. Antalya also handled 1,217 flights that day 1,074 international and 143 domestic matching its highest-ever number of aircraft movements. The surge followed the opening of new terminal facilities earlier in 2025, designed to accommodate increased demand in this popular Mediterranean tourist destination.

The very next day, July 27, Istanbul Airport reached an unprecedented 272,132 passenger movements in 24 hours the busiest single day ever recorded by a European airport. This historic milestone reinforced Istanbul Airport’s status as a European aviation powerhouse. The airport began simultaneous triple runway operations in April 2025, becoming the first in Europe with this capability and second worldwide after the U.S. This advanced infrastructure supports high traffic volumes and operational efficiency.

Istanbul Airport served nearly 80 million passengers in 2024, making it Europe’s largest and second-busiest airport. It also became Europe’s busiest air cargo hub last year, according to the Airports Council International Europe’s 2024 report. Moreover, weekly Eurocontrol data consistently ranks Istanbul Airport among Europe’s top airports by daily flights. The airport's passenger traffic in the first half of 2025 totaled around 39.1 million, with 8.1 million domestic and 30.9 million international passengers. Sabiha Gökçen Airport in Istanbul also recorded significant traffic, with over 22 million passengers in the same period.

Across Türkiye, the total number of air passengers reached approximately 108.8 million in the first six months of 2025, with domestic flights serving 46.6 million passengers and international flights 62.2 million. Key tourism hubs such as Antalya, İzmir, and Muğla collectively hosted about 23.9 million passengers in this period. Antalya Airport alone handled 9.57 million passengers in the first five months of 2025, underscoring its growing importance in Türkiye’s tourism infrastructure.

The country’s airports are also focusing on environmentally friendly operations to balance growth with sustainability. Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu emphasized the role of these airports in boosting Türkiye’s tourism and trade sectors while maintaining efficient and eco-conscious operations.

This context of expanding infrastructure, record-breaking passenger numbers, and strategic development highlights Türkiye’s increasing significance as a global aviation hub connecting Europe, Asia, and beyond. The combined growth at Istanbul and Antalya airports exemplifies the dynamic rise of Türkiye's air travel network poised for further expansion in the coming years.