From April to September, the cooler waters off the northeast coast of Qatar provide the perfect location to see large numbers of whale sharks that gather to feed close to the surface.
Located just off the coast of downtown Doha, Banana Island is the perfect escape from the city with a wide range of accommodation options. Adding to the vast outdoor activities in the region, Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara has partnered with Discover Qatar to provide once-in-a-lifetime excursions to view these gentle giants of the ocean on a dedicated high-speed catamaran.
You’ll be able to view one of the largest congregations of whale sharks that can be found on the planet and the biggest fish in the ocean. The unique expedition to view these majestic creatures includes a whale shark expert who is on board to help educate guests, along with a professional photographer to capture the experiences.
What to Expect
Upon arrival in the area where the sharks are found, the slow-moving creatures can be viewed for two hours from the front and back deck of the catamaran, before the cruise back to the shore. A whale shark expert is provided by Discover Qatar to help answer any questions and guide guests through an interactive lecture. Photography will be provided so the participants can immerse themselves in the experiences without any concern that they will not have the perfect images of the trip to view later. During the excursion, a continental breakfast and sandwich buffet lunch are served, along with other snacks and a selection of hot and cold drinks.
The resort’s luxurious catamarans are spacious, comfortable and equipped with wall mounted TVs and WiFi, providing exclusive services and exceptional and memorable experiences. This excursion departs five times a week from Al Ruwais Port in the north of Qatar and can be booked by visiting www.whalesharksofqatar.com
For something a little tamer, Banana Island just announced the reopening of its surf pool. After a full renovation, this pool adds to the wide selection of watersport activities available at the resort. Features includes two wide surfing lanes simulating ocean waves, with private surfing lessons available and the lanes bookable exclusively for friends and family. With every surf session given under strict supervision with one of the resort’s trained team members, working to the highest standards of safety. The surf pool is open from 10.00 am until 10.00 pm and advanced booking is required.
