A wooden boat, the skyline and the sunset — the Doha experience that suits everyone.
Dhows are the wooden sailing boats that carried Qatar's pearl divers; today they carry visitors around Doha Bay, and there is no better way to see the skyline. Cruises come in three flavours. Here is how they differ and which to book.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Departs | Corniche dhow harbour |
| Sunset cruise | 2 h, from $35 |
| Dinner cruise | $60–90 |
| Private | 10–25 guests |
| Best months | Oct–Apr |
The three types
| Sunset cruise | Dinner cruise | Night / party cruise | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Departs | 16:30–17:00 | 19:00–19:30 | 20:30–21:00 |
| Duration | 2 h | 2.5–3 h | 2 h |
| On board | Refreshments, Arabic coffee, dates | Buffet dinner, soft drinks | Music, shisha, drinks (no alcohol) |
| Price | From $35 | $60–90 | $40–60 |
| Best for | Everyone; photographers | Couples, groups | Younger groups, celebrations |
What you see
The boat loops the bay: the Museum of Islamic Art on its island, the Corniche crescent, West Bay's towers lighting up, the Pearl Monument and the Sheraton pyramid, then back past the dhow harbour as the call to prayer sounds. Sunset behind the old town, blue hour over the skyscrapers.
Tips
- Book the sunset slot in winter — it sells out at weekends.
- Sit on the upper deck for photos, lower deck for shade and the breeze in summer.
- Bring a light layer from November to February.
- Combine with the souq afterwards — it is a five-minute walk from the harbour.
Private charters
A whole dhow for a birthday, proposal or corporate group takes 10–25 people, with catering and a route of your choice — ask us for a quote with your date and numbers.
About the boats
Dhows are teak-hulled, hand-built boats from a tradition that stretches to India and East Africa; Qatar's were pearling and trading vessels until the 1930s, and Al Khor still builds them. Cruise dhows are 20–30 metres, motorised, with two decks, cushioned seating, toilets and a covered lower deck. They are stable — seasickness on the bay is almost unknown.
Month by month
| Season | Sunset time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nov–Feb | 16:45–17:15 | Cool; bring a layer; busiest, book ahead |
| Mar–Apr, Oct | 17:30–18:00 | Warm, ideal |
| May–Sep | 18:15–18:40 | Hot; night cruises from 8 pm are the better option |
Dhow vs yacht
- Dhow: shared, cheap ($35), traditional, the Corniche loop; no swimming.
- Yacht: private, from ~$330 for 2 hours, faster, can go to sandbars and islands to swim.
- For a first evening in Doha, the dhow; for a celebration or a hot day, the yacht.
Food and drink on board
Sunset cruises serve Arabic coffee, karak, dates and light snacks; dinner cruises offer a buffet of mezze, grilled chicken and lamb, rice, salads and Arabic sweets, with soft drinks and water. There is no alcohol on any dhow. Vegetarian options are always available; tell us about allergies when booking.
BookableSunset Dhow Cruise DohaTwo hours on the bay at golden hour, refreshments and an onboard host. From $35, hotel transfer optional.Book the cruiseFAQs
From the dhow harbour on the Corniche, between the Museum of Islamic Art and Souq Waqif. Some private charters leave from The Pearl marina.
