ISLANDS Al Dar Islands Take a water taxi from Sitra out to Al Dar and experience island life for real. There’s a 400m sandy beach, huts and chalets to hire, kids’ zone, activities area, food and bar, dolphin watching, fishing trips and more – or you could just take the rays! Don’t forget, you’ll need your passport or ID when you’re leaving Bahrain. Tickets, including the boat ride, are BD5 on weekdays and BD8 at the weekend. Kids aged five to 15 pay BD2 and BD4. Call 17 704-600. Hawar Islands Lots of native wildlife, including one of the world’s biggest colonies of Socotra Cormorants, make this a great place for nature lovers. However, if you just want a beach break, you can enjoy that here too. There’s a hotel which offers all-inclusive stays with a welcome bus tour, water sports, swimming pools and slides, meals and boat transport. Or you can also take a day trip from Durrat Marina on Friday and Saturday for BD20 per person. Call 17 641-666. Jerada A real desert island this. Jerada is actually a tidal sand spit, which disappears at high tide – so, you’ll definitely need to know the right times to go. You’ll also need a boat to get there, private if possible, but there are a few companies offering trips. The water around it is crystal clear and shallow and it’s a perfect place to cool off on a hot, sunny day. Just make sure you bring provisions as there really is nothing there! PUBLIC Budaiya Beach Park Lots of entertainment and a nice, usually clean, beach. There’s a kids’ play area and ball courts nearby plus a view of an island palace. This beach is very popular with local Bahrainis and can become quite crowded at weekends and holiday times but access is free and there’s a good stretch of sand and open water. Abu Subh Beach Also known as Diraz Beach, this a long stretch of sand where you will find good parking, kids’ play area and mobile trucks selling food, ice creams and more. Quiet early morning, it is popular with dog walkers and runners. Also, a favourite haunt for locals and there’s a great family atmosphere at weekends. Karbabad Just at the back of the busy Seef district and facing Nurana Island, this stretch of beach is not so much a place for swimming but does have a great range of evening and weekend entertainment from bouncy castles to quad bikes a. It’s also popular with the local horsey fraternity so you may well see members of the Bahrain Cowboys there and, on very special days, you might even spot the animals of Bahrain’s mounted police taking a dip. Dry Dock Beach A smallish stretch of sand in the industrial area at ASRY, this is popular on weekends with both migrant workers, who live nearby, and locals from Hidd and the surrounding areas. It’s more of a picnic spot but people do take to the water sometimes, particularly early morning. It’s a nice relief from the built-up area round about. When using public beaches please be aware of modesty requirements and be prepared to cover up in T-shirt and shorts, even when swimming. Al Dar Islands Hawar Islands Jerada Budaiya Beach Park Karbabad Dry Dock Beach lifestyleoutandabout www.bahrainthismonth.com March 2019 83
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy Mjk0MTkxMQ==