# A Wetland Wonder on the Edge of the Desert > Where the sea meets the desert: we explore Qatar's unique natural oasis and the surprises hidden within the Al Thakira mangrove reserves. - URL: https://langandtrip.com.ua/en/article/vodnobolotnoe-chudo-na-kraiu-pustny/ - Language: en - Published: 2025-09-25 - Categories: Leisure, Tours, Qatar, Relaxation, Seas & Oceans, Forests --- On the northeastern edge of Qatar's sweeping desert, the rocky, beige plains give way to a vast stretch of lush greenery and winding waterways. Along a tidal estuary, pencil-like roots poke up from the muddy ground, delivering oxygen to the dense thickets, while countless crabs scuttle back and forth from their protruding burrows. The Al Thakira mangrove reserves are among the most precious natural sites in this Gulf nation, and one of the most popular escapes for city dwellers looking to get away from urban life, as well as for tourists in search of a green retreat. These protected forests are home to Avicennia marina, also known as the grey or white mangrove, which has become the dominant species in the region. Sitting on the boundary between Qatar's land and sea, the mangroves provide a valuable habitat for many species of coastal and marine fish and crustaceans, along with a refuge for flamingos, herons and other seasonal birds. "Mangroves are one of the most important ecosystems in this region," says Mehsin Al Yafei, a professor of marine ecology at Qatar University and a well-known environmentalist. He explains that mangroves act as a natural defence against rising sea levels and coastal erosion, sustain biodiversity, and help keep fish stocks high by supporting marine life. "We've just identified more than 30 species of fish in these mangroves," Al Yafei says. "There are several species of crab here, more than one kind of shrimp, squid, everything comes to feed in this area." ## Take a Kayak Out ![](https://test.langandtrip.com.ua/wp-content/uploads/de_import_uploads/june-article-image-133-1-2025.jpg) The mangrove zone, located north of the city of Al Khor and roughly 60 kilometres from the bustling capital of Doha, is easy to reach by car, just keep in mind that the trip involves a couple of kilometres of off-road driving. Once you arrive, the best way to explore the lush scenery (at high tide) is by kayak or paddleboard. There are several tour operators and travel companies to choose from, and their services can be booked in advance. All of them provide instructors, equipment and life jackets at a typical cost of 240 Qatari riyals ($65) per tour, with children aged five to 11 paying half price. ## Purple Island ![](https://test.langandtrip.com.ua/wp-content/uploads/de_import_uploads/june-article-image-133-2-2025.jpg) Another favourite option is a visit to the nearby mangroves of Jazirat Bin Ghanim, widely known as Purple Island. Traditionally a transit point that was also used by pearl divers and fishermen as far back as 2000 BC, Purple Island takes its name from the reddish-purple dye that was produced centuries ago from the shells of a local mollusc. According to Qatar Museums, excavations have uncovered a mound of shells containing the crushed remains of nearly three million individual sea snails of the species Thais savignyi, along with large ceramic vats that were likely used to soften the crushed molluscs. "You can still find plenty of these snail shells on the island," says Meraj M. Quraishi of 365 Adventures, one of the companies offering both morning and afternoon trips to the mangrove zone. "Another reason for the island's name is the abundance of purple flowers that bloom every spring." With a long wooden walkway connecting the island to the beach and a few small hills of limestone rock, this family-friendly spot is perfect for leisurely walks at low tide, watching marine life and birds (during the Qatari winter). You can also get there by car, but bear in mind that you'll need to bring your own supplies, as the island has no facilities. ## Carbon Storage ![](https://test.langandtrip.com.ua/wp-content/uploads/de_import_uploads/june-article-image-133-3-2025.jpg) Over the years, the area has been the focus of several volunteer clean-up efforts aimed at removing solid waste such as plastic and glass, and raising awareness about the importance of mangrove ecosystems, especially in a region where the harsh desert conditions severely limit plant growth. Scientists have long pointed to the benefits mangroves bring to biodiversity, including their ability to act as filtration systems that improve water quality by absorbing pollutants, as well as their key role in the fight against climate change thanks to their high rates of carbon dioxide sequestration. "Per unit of area, mangrove forests store three to four times more carbon than any land-based ecosystem," says Daniel Murdiyarso, principal scientist at the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR). "That's why keeping mangrove forests intact and restoring degraded ones is essential to mitigating the effects of climate change." ## Mangroves That "Deserve to Be Protected" ![](https://test.langandtrip.com.ua/wp-content/uploads/de_import_uploads/june-article-image-133-4-2025.jpg) Worldwide, mangroves cover an area of less than 15 million hectares, roughly the size of Greece, across more than 120 tropical and subtropical countries, according to UNESCO. The organization warns that these ecosystems are disappearing three to five times faster than the overall rate of forest loss around the globe. The UN agency estimates that some countries lost more than 40% of their mangroves between 1980 and 2005, in many cases due to coastal development, changing land use and large-scale commercial fish farming. Mangroves have come under heavy pressure in Qatar too, where Al Thakira is now the last such ecosystem of real note. "We've lost most of the coral reefs in the region, we've lost most of the seagrass; I hope we can protect the mangroves that remain," says Al Yafei, welcoming the country's conservation efforts, including replanting work, to safeguard its ecosystems, and with them its future generations. Murdiyarso echoed the call. "The tiny strips of Qatari mangroves (...) mean a great deal in the context of Qatar's vast desert," he says. "They deserve to be protected, especially from the city's expansion. Look at the water birds; they won't come if the mangroves are removed, because the ecosystem services will be destroyed."