ATV
From Alhannah
Dune bashing on ATV (All Terrain Vehicles) is a popular sport here and surprisingly fun. ATV's can be rented cheaply by the hour.
Cost Prices are based on the engine size. Small ATV's (suitable for children and light adults) can be had for QR70 per hour. Larger ones go up to QR220 per hour (engine size 250 cc). Bargaining is a must as it has been reported that people have bargained the larger Quads down between 160-180 for an hour.
If you have a trailer hitch, you can rent ATV's from the last gas station you will pass on the right on the way to Sealine. "Doha Reports" suggest that the prices may be as low as 500 QR for a full day, but this is unconfirmed.
Where Drive south-east from Doha towards Al-Masaeed. From Al-Massaeed, drive east towards the Sealine Beach Resort. There are many vendors lined up on the side of the road particularly near the Oil Refinery. It is possible, even recommended to drive the car off-road to the vendors cabin. Sand is firm and driveable but watch out for rocks and soft spots.
Notes Payment is cash only. There are no facilities. Take plenty of water, and sun-screen. Falling into the sand is a unique experience. I ended up with sand all over.
Fortunately the Sealine Beach Resort, with excellent shower facilities (bring your own shampoo) is just a few kilometers further south.
Dune Bashing Tips
Never go alone! Like all sports, dune bashing carries with it a certain amount of risk, and it is always best to have a companion who could drive back to the road in case of an emergency. Also, two heads are better than one when it comes to deciding what is safe vs. what is not, and finding the way back to the road after you've been cruising the dunes for hours.
ATV's have four wheels but it will pay to treat them like motorcycles. Particularly when going up or coming down steep dunes. Use your body weight to counterbalance the tilt. Do not carry backpacks or extra stuff and drive sensibly and safely. Lesson learned the hard way :)
Remain within line of sight of your party. Secure all items in pockets so that they do not fall out in case you have a spill. Be particularly careful of car keys etc. Sand on the dunes is very soft. There is almost no hope of finding a dropped article after a post-spill roll down the side of a Dune.
Best time to go is in early afternoon around 2 PM. The drive to Al-Masaeed takes approximately 45 minutes and to the Sealine Beach Resort another 15-20 minutes.
