By Nafisa Maleah
You’ve heard of the famous beaches of Khairan, Marina and Al Kout. But there are many hidden gems that Kuwait’s coasts have to offer. With the crowds brought about by the summer season, people who frequent these lesser-known spots like to keep them secret. Kuwait Times spoke with three people who all declined to share where their favorite beaches were.
Sarah Al-Khatib, an Egyptian resident, explained: "I don’t share its location because I like the privacy – there’s not a lot of public beaches that are always both clean and quiet”. She outlined safety as one of the reasons. "As a woman, I don’t always feel comfortable at crowded beaches. But because barely anyone goes to this beach, I can dress freely and relax,” Khatib said. Her favorite summer activity is watching the sunset at the beach, adding that "it’s like my own little slice of heaven”.
Leen Darbnasser, a Syrian resident, prefers to escape the crowd flocking to Kuwait’s coast. Located within Messila, she describes her favorite beach as a haven. "I use this beach as an escape from the world and my problems – it helps me clear my mind”, she said. "Since it’s so calm and quiet, you can go there and read a book, tan, relax and sit comfortably with your friends without worrying who’s around you”, she added.
Miriam Engen, a Kuwaiti-Norwegian, stumbled across her favorite beach by chance. "When I was visiting a resort, I found it right next to the private beach and realized that it was public”, she said. Engen added that one of the reasons she frequents the beach is because unlike some of the more crowded public beaches, "it’s quite clean and there are lots of bins scattered around so you can throw your trash easily”.
Kuwait Times visited the three beaches to give readers a glimpse of why people chose to keep their locations hidden. The ambience and cleanliness were akin to private beaches, featuring clear blue waters and spotless golden sands. It was hard to believe that they were all public beaches with no entry fees. Even during peak hours in the morning and afternoon where it tends to be the busiest, they were still relatively empty with only a few people around.
Darbnasser’s beach of choice was completely empty, making it the perfect tranquil spot. At the other two beaches, a handful of people could be seen taking a dip in the cool waters, tanning and setting up chairs or tents. The surrounding buildings and trees covered the beaches, providing a sense of security. Overall, their serene atmosphere makes them the perfect place to spend the hot summer months.
Do you know a beach so good that you keep it secret? If not, consider exploring Kuwait’s coasts to find a hidden gem of your own.