Qatar Tourism has launched ‘Whale Shark Tours’ for the 2025 season, in collaboration with Discover Qatar, the destination management company of Qatar Airways.
Announced during a launch event held at Place Vendome, Whale Shark Tours will run from June to September, 2025. It will provide residents and visitors with a unique opportunity to experience one of Qatar’s most remarkable natural wonders – whale sharks in their natural habitat.
Qatar’s northern waters are home to one of the world’s largest aggregations of whale sharks. Through this initiative, Qatar Tourism seeks to foster ecotourism while ensuring the marine environment remains undisturbed.
In addition, it equips visitors with educational insights into the migratory patterns, biological characteristics and ecological importance of whale sharks in the marine ecosystem. Qatar’s conservation efforts to protect these endangered animals will also be highlighted.
The launch of the Whale Shark Tours has been made possible through close coordination from both the private and public sectors, including Qatar Energy, the Ministry of Municipality, Mawani Qatar, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Qatar Airways, and the General Directorate of Coasts and Borders Security.
These partnerships play a key role in enhancing the tour’s operational framework while contributing significantly to enhancing the service delivery and overall visitor experience.
Omar Al Jaber Director of Shared Services – Qatar Tourism
“We are proud to welcome the return of the Whale Shark Tours, one of Qatar’s most distinctive ecotourism experiences. This initiative highlights our dedication to sustainable tourism and showcases the richness of Qatar’s marine biodiversity. Our preparations for the upcoming Whale Shark Tours have been greatly strengthened by the valuable contributions of our government and semi-government partners, whose collaboration reflects a shared commitment to delivering an exceptional and environmentally responsible visitor experience.”
The tours, operated by Discover Qatar, offer a unique adventure aboard a premium catamaran, led by expert marine guides.
Since its first launch in 2022, the tour has attracted more than 1,200 visitors, with sightings of over 600 whale sharks during a single excursion, providing guests with an immersive journey – to witness these 20-foot gentle giants, feeding in the warm, plankton-rich waters of the Al Shaheen Marine Zone, approximately two and a half hours from Ruwais Port.
Qatar stands out as one of the few destinations in the world that delivers a distinctive program to study and safeguard whale sharks. This initiative will strengthen its position as a leading destination for sustainable marine tourism.
