Sandboarding at the Sealine Dunes

Sandboarding at the Sealine dunes is a sand-surfing activity on the tall dunes around Sealine Beach near Mesaieed, about 60 km south of central Doha in Qatar. Participants stand or lie on a board and slide down the lee face of a dune, then walk or are driven back to the top. It is almost always sold as part of a half-day desert safari rather than as a standalone session: Golden Adventures lists sand-surfing and quad-bike add-ons, and other QTA-licensed operators include a 30-60 minute stop within a four to six hour trip. Safari packages cost about QAR 220-330 per person (about USD 60-91), and no separate sandboarding price is published. No previous experience is required. Fitness needs are modest, but climbing dunes in soft sand is tiring in the heat, and the activity is best suited to children and adults who can walk uphill on loose sand. Age and health limits are set by each operator, and people with back, neck or knee problems should avoid steep runs. Boards are supplied by the operator, while visitors bring water, sunglasses, light clothing that covers the shoulders and either closed shoes or bare feet for the sand. Guides demonstrate the stance, choose suitable slopes and keep participants away from steep drop-offs, and the 4x4 convoy carries radios and first-aid supplies for evacuation if someone is injured. Falls onto soft sand are common and usually harmless, though sand in the eyes and sunburn are frequent complaints. The season is October to April, when sand is not hot enough to burn skin. Summer midday sand temperatures, strong winds and dust haze should be avoided. Photography is encouraged, but camera equipment should be protected from sand.