Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara Partners with Discover Qatar To Launch ‘The Whale Sharks of Qatar – Daily Explorer’ Excursion And Reopens Renowned Surf Pool

Doha, Qatar – June 2022: Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara has partnered with Discover Qatar to provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience to view one of the largest congregations of whale sharks that can be found on the planet.  A dedicated high-speed catamaran takes guests of Discover Qatar and Banana Island on the newly launched, unique, excursion to view the biggest fish in the ocean. 

From April to September, the cooler waters off the north-east coast of Qatar provide the perfect location to see large numbers of whale sharks that gather to feed close to the surface. Upon arrival in the area where the sharks are found, the slow-moving gentle giants can be viewed for two hours from the front and back deck of the catamaran, before the cruise back to the shore. A whale shark expert is provided by Discover Qatar, to help educate guests about these majestic creatures through an interactive lecture, with a professional photographer also on board to capture guests’ experiences on camera. During the trip, a continental breakfast and sandwich buffet lunch are served, along with other snacks and a selection of hot and cold drinks. 

Discover Qatar is collaborating with Banana Island to offer this unique experience for residents and travellers to Qatar. The resort’s luxurious catamarans are spacious and comfortable and are equipped with wall mounted TVs and WiFi, providing guests with exclusive services and exceptional and memorable experiences.

The new whale shark excursions depart five times a week from Al Ruwais Port in the north of Qatar and can be booked by visiting www.whalesharksofqatar.com  

In addition, Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara announces the reopening of its surf pool. After a full renovation, the surf pool once again adds to the wide selection of watersport activities available at the resort, adding to the fun and memorable moments on the island. Guests can now enjoy two wide surfing lanes simulating ocean waves, with every surf session given under strict supervision with one of the resort’s trained team members, working to the highest standards of safety.

Private surfing lessons are available and the lanes may be booked exclusively for friends and family. The surf pool is open from 10.00 am until 10.00 pm and advanced booking is required.

Located just off the coast of downtown Doha, Banana Island is the perfect luxurious escape from the city offering a wide range of accommodation options and vast facilities for guests to enjoy. 

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Editor’s Notes:

About Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas

Anantara is a luxury hospitality brand for modern travellers, connecting them to genuine places, people and stories through personal experiences, and providing heartfelt hospitality in the world’s most exciting destinations. The collection of distinct, thoughtfully designed luxury hotels and resorts provides a window through which to journey into invigorating new territory, curating personal travel experiences.

From cosmopolitan cities to desert sands to lush islands, Anantara connects travellers to the indigenous, grounds them in authentic luxury, and hosts them with passionate expertise. The portfolio currently boasts over 40 stunning hotels and resorts located in Thailand, Maldives, Indonesia, Vietnam, China, Cambodia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Seychelles, Mozambique, Zambia, UAE, Qatar, Oman, Tunisia, Portugal, Spain, Hungary, Italy and The Netherlands, with a pipeline of future properties across Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

For more information on Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas, please visit www.anantara.com

Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/anantara; Twitter and Instagram: @anantara_hotels

About Discover Qatar

Discover Qatar is the Destination Management Company (DMC) for the Qatar Airways Group.

We strive to make our home stand out on the world stage as a premium tourist destination and we take immense pride in developing and showcasing the best experiences available in Qatar.

We have built an excellent network of partnerships which enable us to offer 

An exceptional and comprehensive selection of hotelsA unique range of tours and excursionsPrivate and coach transfersStopovers, long and short stays to ensure every customer is able to experience Qatar at its best.A growing range or sporting events.

Unlike many DMC’s we are unique in that we serve both B2C and B2B customers as well as local residents. So whether it is a direct customer or a tour operator customer we have the capability and knowledge to help anyone with their planned trip to Qatar. 

For more information on Discover Qatar, please visit www.discoverqatar.qa 

Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/discoverqatar/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/discoverqatar/ and LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/company/discoverqatar 

About Minor Hotels

Minor Hotels is a global hospitality group operating over 550 hotels, resorts and residences in 56 countries, pursuing its vision of crafting a more passionate and interconnected world. As a hotel owner, operator and investor, Minor Hotels fulfils the needs and desires of today’s global travellers through its diverse portfolio of eight hotel brands – Anantara, Avani, Elewana Collection, NH, NH Collection, nhow, Oaks and Tivoli – and a collection of related businesses. Minor Hotels is rapidly accelerating its global growth ambitions, aiming to add more than 200 hotels by the end of 2026.

Minor Hotels is a proud member of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world's largest alliance of independent hotel brands, and participates in the GHA DISCOVERY loyalty programme.

For more information, please visit minorhotels.com and connect with Minor Hotels on Facebook and LinkedIn.

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