Khor Al Adaid, the Inland Sea

Khor Al Adaid, the Inland Sea, in the far south of Qatar near the Saudi border, is the country's most spectacular natural sight, a rare and beautiful phenomenon where the desert meets the sea. Here, towering, ever-shifting golden sand dunes roll right down to the edge of a tranquil, shallow tidal inlet of the Arabian Gulf, creating a mesmerising landscape of sand and water recognised for its importance as a natural reserve. Reached only across the dunes by four-wheel drive, the classic experience is an exhilarating dune-bashing safari, followed by the serene beauty of the inland sea, sunset over the dunes and desert camping under the stars.

What you actually see

• The inland sea - the tidal inlet cradled by desert dunes.
• The rolling dunes - the towering golden sand meeting the water.
• The dune-bashing safari - the thrilling four-wheel-drive ride.
• The desert camping - the sunsets and stargazing camps.

When to go

November to March, the cool season, for comfortable desert conditions, as the summer heat is extreme; sunset and overnight camping are the most magical times, when the dunes glow and the stars emerge. It is reached only by four-wheel drive across the dunes, so a guided safari or tour is essential.

Honest expectations

Reaching the inland sea requires an experienced driver and four-wheel drive across the dunes, so it is done on organised safaris rather than independently, and the popular dune-bashing rides, while thrilling, are not for those prone to motion sickness; some sites near Doha can get busy. For the genuinely rare and beautiful spectacle of towering desert dunes rolling down to a tranquil sea, though, along with the thrill and serenity of the desert, Khor Al Adaid is Qatar's natural highlight.

Nearby

The southern desert and the city of Doha are the gateways.