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Voykit pocket guide · Bahrain
Hawar Islands
Half-day boat trip from Manama for birdwatching and water sports, or stay one night at the resort. Not a base for sightseeing.
The Hawar Islands are a protected archipelago southeast of Bahrain, reachable only by a daily 45-minute boat from Manama. They are known for birdlife, clear water and the Hawar Beach Hotel. Most visitors go for a half-day or one night.
- Country
- Bahrain
- Best months
- Nov–Mar
- Avoid
- Jun–Sep (extreme heat, little shade)
- Stay
- 0–1 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- BHD
- Money
- Bahraini dinar (BHD, BD) is divided into 1,000 fils and pegged to the US dollar (BD 1 ≈ US$2.66); prices look small because one dinar is a high-value note.
- Daily spend
- Budget BD 20–30 (day trip, no bed) · Mid BD 50–80 (resort room, meals) · High BD 100+ (resort, watersports) (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Three networks: Batelco (Beyon), Zain and stc; tourist SIMs at BAH arrivals and malls, registered to your passport.
- Emergency
- Police / Fire / Ambulance 999
- Plugs
- Types G · 230 V · 50 Hz · UK three-pin sockets; adapters in any supermarket.
- Tipping
- Restaurant: Check for a service charge; if none, 10%.; Taxi / ride-hail: Round up or add BD 0.5–1.; Hotel porter: 500 fils – BD 1 per bag.; Driver or guide day: BD 5–10.
- Water
- Tap water is desalinated and treated; most residents drink bottled water, which is cheap.
- Toilets
- Western toilets in malls, hotels and petrol stations, with a bidet hose; mosques and older buildings may have squat toilets.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Boat transfer Manama–Hawar, return | BD 15 (check) |
| Resort meal (lunch or dinner) | BD 8–15 |
| Water (1.5 L) | BD 0.5 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- BAH · Bahrain International Airport
- About 1 h to Manama port, then boat
Typical fares
- Boat Manama–Hawar, return
- about BD 15 (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
On foot or by resort shuttle; the island is small. No public transport.
See and do
Known for
- Birdwatching (endemic species)
- Water sports (kayaking, diving)
- Hawar Beach Hotel resort
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Manama | Boat from Manama port, 45 min | About 1 h |
Sleep
- Hawar Beach Hotel
- The only accommodation on the islands; pool, restaurant, watersports gear hire.
- Manama
- Most visitors sleep in Manama and day-trip; boat departs from Manama.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | السلام عليكمas-salamu alaykum |
| Thank you | شكراًshukran |
| How much? | كم؟kam? |
| Water | ماءma' |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: 'As-salamu alaykum'; shake hands with men; wait for a woman to offer her hand; avoid: Hugging or kissing strangers
- Right hand: Eat, pass and receive with the right hand; avoid: Using the left hand for food
- Feet: Keep soles on the floor when sitting in a majlis; avoid: Pointing your soles at people
- Mosques: Visit outside prayer times, covered, shoes off; avoid: Walking in front of people praying
- Hospitality: Accept coffee and dates when offered; avoid: Refusing outright
- Politics: Listen; avoid: Discussing the ruling family, 2011, sectarian issues or the war with strangers
Scams and watch-outs
- Boat schedule may change with weather; confirm the day before.
- No shops or restaurants outside the resort; bring snacks and water.
- The islands are a nature reserve: do not disturb wildlife or take shells.
The islands are safe; the main risk is heat and sun exposure. Bring sunscreen, a hat and plenty of water.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Hawar Islands yet. Suggested stay: 0–1 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Birdwatching (endemic species)
- Water sports (kayaking, diving)
- Hawar Beach Hotel resort
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Hawar Beach Hotel official site: www.hawarbeachhotel.com
- Wikivoyage: Hawar Islands, revision 5278038 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5278038
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Hawar Islands
إلى هذا العنوان، من فضلك
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police / Fire / Ambulance999
English is widely spoken at the resort.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/hawar-islands). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.