Hold onto your hats, fellow adventurers, because I'm about to take you on an oceanic journey like no other! Last week, I had the privilege of joining Discover Qatar's Whale Sharks cruise tour, and let me tell you, it was a breathtaking experience from start to finish - probably the best one I’ve had so far since I moved to Qatar last November.

As we set sail from the picturesque coastline of Qatar from Al Ruwais Port, I couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement building inside me. Our seasoned crew made sure we were all comfortable and ready for the adventure of a lifetime.

We finally set sail after everyone settled into their seats! And after about 2 hours of cruising and sailing, trying to locate the largest fish in the sea, the moment we'd all been waiting for—our first encounter with the gentle giants of the seas, the whale sharks, finally happened! We witnessed hundreds of these magnificent creatures breaching the sea surface from a distance.  We got as close as we could, to the point where they were gracefully swimming alongside our vessel; their colossal size and beauty left me in awe.

One thing to note is that this tour is designed with utmost respect for these majestic beings and their natural habitat. Discover Qatar places a high value on sustainable tourism and responsible interaction with wildlife. So, no swimming or diving with the whale sharks here! Instead, we got to witness their splendor from the safety of the cruise ship, as our knowledgeable tour guide shared captivating insights about these gentle giants as well as a documentary that detailed everything from their habits and feeding patterns to an overview of the on-going research being carried out.

The moments spent observing the whale sharks were surreal. Their serene presence, coupled with the vivid blue backdrop of the sea, created a scene straight out of a nature documentary. And trust me when I say, I’m totally grateful for having a professional photographer on board to capture all these moments!

But the tour wasn’t just about whale sharks. Qatar's coastline offered us more surprises, with playful dolphins dancing through the waves; the marine life here is simply mesmerizing!

On our way back to the port. I began thinking to myself how Discover Qatar's Whale Sharks Cruise Tour not only allowed us to witness nature's wonders up close but also instilled a profound appreciation for marine conservation and responsible tourism.

Unfortunately, Discover Qatar have just been informed that the area in which the Whale Sharks of Qatar tour was scheduled to operate, is no longer accessible to tourists.