Island State of Mind: Five Ways to have a proper Bahrain Summer By Hungry FiFi

Bahrain in summer is not for the faint-hearted. It is hot, bright, sticky and occasionally feels like you have opened an oven door and decided to live inside it. And you know what? It is one of my absolute favourite times of the year. The roads are a bit quieter, plenty of resident’s travel and the days feel slower in the best possible way.

But here’s the thing: there are plenty of ways to summermaxx your Bahrain summer. With a little planning, a lot of sunscreen and a handy swimsuit, here’s how to make the most of it.

Escape to Jaradah Island

Few things feel more like a holiday than heading out to Jaradah Island. This tiny sandbank appears and disappears with the tide, which only adds to its magic. One minute you are on a boat leaving Bahrain behind and the next you are standing in clear turquoise water wondering why you ever complain about summer.

Book a boat, pack plenty of drinks, bring snacks, towels, hats and enough sunscreen to cover a small army. It is the closest you will get to that “secret island” feeling without needing a passport, boarding pass or emotional support airport croissant.

Have Breakfast by the Water

Summer in Bahrain is all about timing. The trick is to get out early, enjoy the morning light and retreat before the sun starts behaving.

Breakfast by the water is one of the easiest ways to feel like you are on holiday without actually going anywhere. Head to somewhere like Naseef in Muharraq, GB Cafe at the Fort or Biba in Bahrain Bay, or any spot where you can sit with a coffee and look out at the sea. There is something wonderfully civilised about starting the day with eggs, fresh bread, a good coffee and a view. Add a breeze and suddenly you are basically in the South of France. Sort of. With better karak nearby.

Kayak Through the Mangroves

For something a little more active, kayaking in Bahrain’s mangroves is a brilliant summer adventure. It is peaceful, beautiful and gives you a completely different view of the island. Please email us if you would like to add or correct a listing. You glide through the water, move between the mangrove trees and spot some of the birdlife that makes this ecosystem so special. The mangroves are home to more than 200 recorded bird species. Go early in the

morning or closer to sunset, when the light softens and the heat becomes slightly less dramatic.

Go for a Sunset Drink

If summer days are for hiding indoors, summer evenings are for emerging outdoors holding something cold! A sunset drink is one of Bahrain’s most underrated pleasures. Find somewhere with a view, order a cocktail (or mocktail) and watch the sky change colour. Whether you head to a hotel terrace, a beachside spot or a rooftop, the ritual is what matters. Sit. Sip. Exhale.

A Pool Day, Your Way

Finally, there is the pool day. And here I believe in offering two equally valid routes. If budget allows book yourself into somewhere fabulous, a pool day at Raffles, a hotel day pass, a private cabana, a staycation somewhere. Especially as plenty of places have special rates for residents in the summer months. If budget does not allow, create your own poolside theatre. Buy a fun and elaborate inflatable, from canopy loungers with shade and cup holders to oversized noodles, floating hammocks, cabana-style islands and even giant food shaped floats. Personally, I support anything that lets you bob about in water while holding a cold drink and avoiding responsibilities.

Bahrain summer may be intense, but it also has its own rhythm. You do not have to leave the island to enjoy it. You just have to remember that you live on one.

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