Al Bahiyah Reef

Al Bahiyah is Qatar's premier natural reef system, a broad shallow platform of Porites coral heads and brain corals stretching north from the Qatar peninsula in water ranging from 4 to 18 metres. Hawksbill turtles are a near-guaranteed encounter on morning dives, often found resting under coral overhangs or actively feeding on sponges. The reef's proximity to Doha has made it the focus of Qatar's growing scientific monitoring program, and coral health here serves as a bellwether for the entire southern Gulf system.