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One of Bahrain's favourite short getaway locations, Al Dar Islands, will reopen to visitors tomorrow with a refreshing new look for a perfect day out on the beach.
Just a five-minute boat ride from the main land, the renovated beach resort spanning a total area of 1km radius, boasts a list of activities to compliment the summer sun including jet skis, fishing, pearl diving and dolphin trips.
On arrival, visitors will be invited to enjoy a dip and relax on one of six shaded double beds available for hire or to sit back and enjoy the view at one of the shaded seating areas.
Islands manager Mohammed Slaise said: "Before closing down for work, we were receiving around 300 visitors which became too crowded and hard to manage.
"The management has decided on a new policy of limiting customers to 150 per day based on a first come-first serve basis to provide better service and more room for everyone."
A new shower block has been built with changing rooms as well as outside shower spots.
The resort features two air-conditioned restaurants as alongside an outdoor barbecue area.
For sport lovers, the beach area has a volleyball court and children can enjoy the facilities in a play area.
Trips on 'banana boats' around the island are also being penciled in.
The reopening forms part of a BD2 million Al Dar Islands Resort project, which is being developed by Rashid Investment Holdings.
Plans have been drawn out to include 30 chalets and a restaurant on a separate part of the islands to entice city dwellers for a more serene and stress-free getaway.
Shaikh Hassan bin Rashid Al Khalifa, managing director of Al Dar Islands, said: "We have already built one chalet and by the end of the year hope to complete four more. We are looking at different designs for each chalet as well as the number of rooms. If all goes well, we will also build chalets on stilts over the water."
The 45 sq/m chalets will include a bedroom, sitting room and bathroom and include air-conditioning and TV.
Shaikh Hassan explained that rates would start at BD100 for a night and special packages would also be on offer.
He said: "We also hope to build our own corals reefs later on. We are facing delays in completing the project because we have to get our own water and electricity supplies and it takes three times more time to do that here than on the mainland.
"The best thing about the chalets will be the rustic sea views they offer. It is a great escape from the crowded city.
"The project will also benefit tourism in Bahrain by helping to attract visitors to experience real desert island life."
Rate for a return taxi to the islands is BD10 for adults and BD5 for children 16 and below.
Fishing trips are priced at BD120 for three hours for six people while dolphin trips cost BD6 per person for one hour.
Pearl collecting rates are BD20 per person for two-hour and include an entry to the islands. The jet skis will be available for BD8 for 15 minutes, BD15 for half an hour and BD30 for an hour per head for individuals over 18.
Visitors need to show an ID at the coastguard point before the boat ride to the islands.
