Sulaibikhat Bay

Sulaibikhat Bay is the shallow western arm of Kuwait Bay, and at low tide it exposes very large areas of mudflat that fill with waders: crab plovers, greater sand plovers, terek sandpipers and thousands of others feeding on the invertebrates in the mud. Mangrove has been planted along parts of the shore. It is one of the most important shorebird sites on the whole Gulf coast. Parts of the bay are protected as a reserve, though development pressure on the shoreline continues.

What you actually see

• The mudflats - very large areas exposed at low tide.
• The wader flocks - thousands of birds feeding on the exposed mud.
• The crab plovers - the distinctive black and white species of the Gulf.
• The planted mangrove - the stands established along parts of the shore.

When to go

November to March is the peak for waders. Low tide is when the flats and the birds are visible. Summer heat is extreme.

Honest expectations

Viewing is from the roadside and there are no hides. Birds are distant on the flats and a telescope helps. Development along the shore has reduced the habitat.

Nearby

Jahra Pool is west, and Kuwait City is east.