Jet Skiing Out to a Desert Island in 110 Degrees Heat for the Best View of the Doha Skyline

Qatar: A Gateway to an Unconventional Journey

August 2022: Qatar, a small oil-rich kingdom in the Persian Gulf, was the starting point for a two-week journey through Pakistan, Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, Dubai, and Bahrain. Though just a peninsula jutting out from Saudi Arabia, Qatar has leveraged its wealth to become a major player on the world stage.

Navigating the Last Vestiges of Covid Restrictions

Unlike the other countries on my itinerary, Qatar was the only one still clinging to Covid restrictions—a long, confusing list of entry requirements that made travel unnecessarily complicated. It was also one of the last places I had visited in ages that still enforced a mask mandate, both indoors and outdoors.

Even Qatar Airways, the airline I flew from LAX to Doha, had an absurd policy—masks required in Economy but not in Business or First Class. Apparently, Covid only existed among the poor. Yet, despite the regulations, no one—including the flight attendants—actually wore a mask, and thankfully, I didn’t have to endure 16 hours of masked discomfort.

Upon arrival, I quickly realized that Qatar wasn’t actually enforcing any of its requirements. It felt as if the rules were left in place purely for show, possibly as a marketing move to create a perception of strict Covid safety ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup.

With the bureaucratic nonsense behind me, I was eager to explore this hyper-modern Gulf state before continuing on to the more unpredictable parts of my journey.

Location of Qatar

Qatar’s Vision for the Future: Beyond Oil and Into the Global Spotlight

Like Dubai and other Gulf nations, Qatar is rapidly transforming its economy, shifting from oil dependency to real estate, finance, and global events. In just a few years, Doha’s skyline has erupted with innovative skyscrapers, many boasting bold, futuristic designs that symbolize the country’s ambition and wealth.

The World Cup: A Grand Investment

In a bid to attract global recognition, Qatar hosted the FIFA World Cup, building eight new stadiums, some of which were designed as temporary structures. After the tournament, a portion of these stadiums were dismantled and donated to African nations, a move blending extravagance with strategic generosity.

Reshaping the Gulf: Man-Made Luxury Islands

Qatar has also followed Dubai’s lead in land reclamation, dredging the Persian Gulf to create artificial islands with extravagant residential developments. These islands, shaped into intricate and unnatural formations, cater to elite investors and luxury seekers, reinforcing Qatar’s push to become a global hub for finance, tourism, and high-end living.

Through ambitious construction, international events, and strategic urban planning, Qatar is positioning itself as more than just an oil-rich Gulf state—but a modern economic powerhouse with global influence.

Last Alcoholic Beverage for the Next Few Weeks

Scorching Arrival in Qatar: No Escape from the Heat

When my friend John and I arrived in Qatar, we were greeted by an instant wall of heat and humidity as soon as we stepped out of the airport. The 110°F summer heat, thick with humidity, was as extreme as anywhere I’ve ever been—it felt like stepping into a furnace.

Seeking Relief at the Hilton Beach

In an attempt to escape the oppressive heat, we headed straight to our hotel—a Hilton on the beach—for a cold drink and a swim in the Persian Gulf. But there was one problem:

The Persian Gulf was just as hot as the air.

Instead of the refreshing dip we had hoped for, the water felt like a giant bathtub, offering no relief from the suffocating heat. It was a stark reminder that in Qatar’s summer, there’s no real escape from the relentless temperatures—except for air-conditioning and cold drinks.

Swimming in the warm Persian Gulf Waters at Our Hotel Beach

Sunset Over Persian Gulf

Jet Skiing to Al Safliya: A Scorching Ride to a Deserted Paradise

After our sweltering swim in the Persian Gulf, we decided to make the most of the water and rented jet skis to explore Al Safliya Island.

Just off the coast of Doha, this deserted island is a long strip of golden sand surrounded by stunning turquoise waters, offering a peaceful escape from the city’s futuristic skyline. As we tore across the Gulf at full speed, the Doha skyline loomed behind us, a striking contrast between modern luxury and untouched nature.

Upon arrival, we found ourselves completely alone, with nothing but the sound of the waves and the distant hum of our jet skis. With tropical-colored waters all around and the iconic skyline in the distance, it was the perfect way to experience Qatar’s mix of urban sophistication and raw beauty.

Navigating the Heat and the Shallows

Strangely enough, jet skis weren’t available early in the morning, when the temperature was still bearable. Instead, we had to wait until 10 AM, when the full force of the Qatari heat was already upon us.

Though Al Safliya is just a few miles offshore, we reached it in about 10 minutes at full throttle. Before setting off, we loaded up on water and took the owner’s number in case of a breakdown—getting stranded in the brutal Persian Gulf heat was not an option.

However, reaching the island wasn’t as simple as expected. Shallow sandbars and reefs encircled the island, making navigation tricky. Unable to dock directly onshore, we had to park the jet skis in waist-deep water and wade barefoot to land—a painful mistake. Sharp rocks and coral beneath the surface turned every step into a delicate balancing act.

Worth the Effort

Despite the minor obstacles, setting foot on the soft sand of this deserted island was more than worth it. The blazing heat, the empty shoreline, and the unobstructed view of Doha’s skyline made it feel like we had discovered our own private oasis—even if the journey there had been a little rougher than expected.

Me at Al Safliya Island

A Close Call and a Final Tour of Doha

On the way back from Al Safliya Island, we accidentally skidded past the security perimeter of the Prince’s Palace, immediately drawing the attention of Coast Guard patrols enforcing the restricted waters. In the middle of the commotion, we flipped the jet ski over, adding to the chaos. Fortunately, we recovered quickly and avoided any real trouble, but it was a stark reminder that even a simple jet ski ride in Qatar can turn into an unexpected adventure.

Later that afternoon, before heading to the airport, we decided to make the most of our remaining time. We paid our taxi driver for a short tour of Doha, taking in a final glimpse of the city’s ultramodern skyline, extravagant shopping malls, and bustling souks before catching our flight.

Doha: A City Still Under Construction

As we explored Doha, it was impossible to ignore the relentless construction. New high-rises—many still vacant—stood everywhere, while cranes stretched across the skyline, signaling even more development to come. Though Doha is quieter and less chaotic than Dubai, the similarities were striking—rampant construction, extravagant wealth, and an undeniable sense of artificiality.

On our way to the airport, we passed one of Qatar’s newly built World Cup stadiums, a symbol of the country’s ambition to make a global mark. We also caught a glimpse of the private airport terminal built exclusively for the King, a reminder of the opulence that defines life for Qatar’s elite.

From Hamad International Airport, we boarded our Qatar Airways flight to Islamabad, ready to leave the glittering Gulf behind and begin the next chapter of our journey—Pakistan and Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.

Qatar had been a whirlwind—a place of luxury, extreme heat, futuristic ambition, and old-world traditions colliding. It was the perfect prologue to the adventures that awaited in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Dubai, and Bahrain.