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There has always been a strong link between Kuwait and the sea, and it is this link which has shaped the distinctive character of today’s Kuwaitis and had constituted the main source of income in ancient times.
Although today the picture is very different with urban expansion and rapid modernisation, the link with the sea is still a cherished memory of the past for the Kuwaitis.
The 290-km coast can be divided into two main parts:
- Extending along the Arabian Gulf and
- Extending around the Kuwaiti Bay and Khor Subiya.
Most of the former area is characterised by sandy beaches, while the second area, 70 km in length, is characterised by mudflats, especially in the shallow northern area in the Bay of Kuwait where the maximum wave height is 16 cm opposite Kuwait city.
There are six seaports located at the following locations:
- Shuwaikh
- Doha
- Ahmadi
- Mina Abdallah
- Shuaiba
- Al-Zor.
There are some special anchorage points used by companies and individuals besides the above mentioned ports. There are also 20 anchorage points for small boats. Eleven per cent of the beaches are assigned for tourist recreation and entertainment and 40 per cent of the shoreline is utilised by special establishments and nationals for private villas and chalets, whilst 35 per cent of the beaches, mainly in the northern part, are as yet pristine.
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