Doha Sunset Dhow Cruise – A Great Way To Spend An Hour?

Doha is a city where the traditional and the modern mix and one of the ways to experience this is on a sunset dhow cruise.

Sitting on the east coast of the Qatar Peninsula in the Persian Gulf, the sea has always shaped Doha’s story, whether from its pearl-diving past to its glittering skyline that now rises along the Corniche.

During my stopover in Doha I joined an hour-long sunset dhow cruise to see the city from the water and experience its quieter side. In this post, I’m sharing my honest review of that cruise. I’ll tell you what it’s really like, what to wear and whether it’s worth fitting into your itinerary. I’ll also share what I did afterwards, so you can decide if a sunset dhow cruise deserves a place in your Doha plans.

What is A Dhow?

The word “dhow” is a generic term for traditional sailing vessels with one or two masts with triangular sails (lateen sails). Originally a Swahili word, it is thought that dhows were invented by Arabs or Indians and used for fishing or trading. They were used extensively along the East African coast and were even referenced in Greek texts as far back as 600 BC.

They still transport goods today and dhow cruises are popular with tourists in some African and Middle Eastern locations including Doha. A traditional dhow is also pictured on the One Qatari Riyal bank note.

Most dhows are now motorised however, so don’t expect too many billowing sails!

Where Do You Find Dhows In Doha?

There are dhows moored all along the Corniche in Doha so you will have no problem seeing one!

The Corniche is a 7 kilometre long boulevard running alongside Doha Bay. The must see Museum of Islamic Art is located at its southern end and the pyramid shaped Sheraton Hotel at its northern.

From the Corniche you have an amazing panoramic view over Doha Bay and the Doha skyline. 

Which Sunset Dhow Cruise Did I Choose?

If you decide to add a sunset dhow cruise to your Doha itinerary, then you can either negotiate directly with the various dhow operators located at or near the dhow harbour on the Corniche or you can book online ahead of time as I did.

Unfortunately, the cruise I booked no longer appears to be available. This cruise however is very similar both in terms of itinerary and price:

I chose a 1 hour cruise option without hotel pickup. Alternative options including dinner with or without hotel pickup are also available. These typically last for between 1.5 and 2 hours.

What You Can Expect From A Sunset Dhow Cruise

Obviously, I didn’t experience a dhow cruise with dinner so I can only speak as to my experience of the 1 hour cruise I did book. I would expect other cruises to offer a similar experience.

My hotel, Golden Tulip Doha, is located close to the Corniche so I walked to the meeting point. If you don’t plan to walk and didn’t include the transfer option, make sure to leave enough time to get to the meeting point by the allotted time.

As you’d expect, tickets are checked before the cruise starts. A bottle of water was included…much needed in the Doha heat!

The dhow itself is quite large with onboard seating around its curved edges. The two images below show the decks on different dhows. The dhow with the red benches was the one I was on for my sunset dhow cruise.

The centre of the dhow is left clear allowing you to get up and move around. The water was pretty calm so most of us did get up at times throughout the cruise. No life vests were worn or offered.

There was no formal commentary as such, but the guides were more than happy to answer questions. They also willingly took photos and videos if you wanted them, perfect for any solo traveller!

Twinkly lights and loud onboard music mix with the chatter of the guides and guests and all of a sudden, it’s dark! The Doha skyline lights up in an incredible display of neon colour. Keep a look out for these well known tall buildings, some of which are shown in the images below:

• Doha Tower
• Tornado Tower
• Al Mana Tower
• World Trade Center Doha
• Al Bidda Tower

And before you know it, you’re on your way back to the starting point on the Corniche!

What To Wear On A Dhow Cruise

Unless there is something specifically mentioned when you book or the evening looks like it will be chilly, I would wear the clothes you’ve spent the day exploring in.

I joined my dhow cruise in October. It had been mid-30s Celsius during the day and the evening temperature was still relatively warm. I didn’t take a jacket or any additional cover up with me.

If you’re wondering what to wear in Doha, check out my post 13 of the Best Things to Do in Doha where I answer this frequently asked question.

Is A Sunset Dhow Cruise Worth It – The Pros And Cons

Although deciding whether to join a sunset dhow cruise is not the most important decision you’ll likely make, it’s still worth weighing up the pros and cons.

1. the cons

• Doha Bay was fairly calm but there’s always a risk of motion sickness (I can feel sick at times but this was fine!)
• a free bottle of water is included but snacks weren’t for sale (remember, it’s only for an hour though!)
• sunset only happens once a day so if you miss the departure you have book for the next day

2. the pros

• you get to see Doha from a different perspective
• you can opt for just the one hour long cruise which won’t take up much of your time in the city
• it’s social and offers the chance to meet other visitors
• there will be a welcome cool breeze!

Overall, I believe the pros outweigh the cons so yes, a sunset dhow cruise is definitely worth including in your trip to Doha.

Sunset cruises are popular so if your time in Doha is short you may want to consider buying your tickets in advance. You can check availability and book here:

My Post-Cruise Recommendation

Once your dhow returns to its departure point, in the case of the cruise I took it was on the Corniche, my advice is to head to Souq Waqif.

The Souq is much more lively in the cooler evenings and there is a lot to see and do. For those, like me, who do not join the dinner cruise, my advice is to dine at one of the restaurants at the Souq. I ate there both nights I was in Doha, first at Damasca One and on my final night at Parisa. Both were very good, but for an unbelievably opulent venue, I highly recommend Parisa. Check out the images in my post 13 of the Best Things to Do in Doha.

Final Thoughts

I recommend including a sunset dhow cruise in your Doha itinerary, even if you are short on time. From boarding a traditional wooden dhow to watching the neon-lit Doha city skyline come alive after dark, this experience captures the balance of old and new that defines both Doha and much of the Middle East. It’s an easy way to slow down, even briefly, and see the city from a different angle. The cool breeze is a definite bonus!

If you need any further help in planning your visit to Doha, do check my Resources page.

Disclaimer – Information correct at the time of writing but do check before visiting.