The small, natural, deserted island of Al Safliya is located in the Persian Gulf, off the coast of Doha, the capital of Qatar, and to the south of The Pearl man-made archipelago. It is 3 miles (4.8 kilometres) north of Ras Abu Aboud (Cape Abu Aboud) and can be reached in ten minutes by boat from The Pearl or about 30 minutes from the Doha Corniche. Approximately 2 miles (3.2 kilometres) long from east to west, the island is very narrow and curved. Its low, sandy terrain is dotted with tufts of grass. Only thirty-five covered wooden shelters have been installed on the beach in its southern part to allow visitors and water sports enthusiasts to relax in the shade.