Natural Reserves

The Kingdom of Bahrain is making tremendous efforts to protect and preserve the environment and natural resources, as well as preserving the biological diversity in which humans live, in order to ensure the continuity and sustainability of the natural balance. All nature reserves are protected according to the Environment Law.

Al Areen Reserve

The Kingdom of Bahrain was early to realize the rapid decline of many native wild animal populations in the region and the urgent need to implement safety measures that could ensure their survival. The establishment of AlAreen Wildlife Park and Reserve was as a response by the Kingdom of Bahrain to the conservation of wildlife in the region.

Al Areen Wildlife Park covers an area of 5.4 square kilometers and is the first project of its kind in the region. It aims to preserve endangered rare Arab animal species and protects all types of animals and plants that distinguish Bahrain’s desert environment.

Located in the west of the centre of the island of Bahrain, Al Areen consists of two parts. The first covers an area of 4 square kilometers dedicated to preserving the wildlife of the desert environment in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Access to this nature reserve is restricted, except for specialists and researchers, veterinarians and the animals’ keepers. The second section, which is the park, covers the area of 3 square kilometers and is devoted to preserving and multiplying Arabian animals and birds in particular. Collective, and individual visits to the park are allowed in the company of qualified guides.

View Al Areen Reserve on the map

Hayr Bulthama Reserve

The word “Hayr” in Bahraini culture means a site for pearl diving and is in the form of a high ground underwater, and no part of it appears above the water surface. The Hayr Bulthama Reserve is located 70 km north of Muharraq and covers an area of 7.8 square kilometres. With an average depth of 12 meters, Hayr Bulthama is not as deep as neighboring areas. However, it is relatively deeper compared to the overall Bahrain's territorial waters, where maximum depth reaches 69 meters. Hayr Bulthama was announced as a protected marine area in 2008.

Arad Bay Reserve

The Arad Bay area covers an area of 0.5 square kilometers, the reserve contains the tidal environment in which important living creatures live and contribute effectively to the marine ecosystem and serve multiple species of resident and migratory birds in the lake.

Arad Bay is one of the most important coastal mangrove reserves in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The mangrove trees have been planted in a thoughtful way in order to enhance the cohesion of the soil and provide a safe haven for small fish.

The park includes the largest public walkway in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The walkway provides a good opportunity for practicing walking within a beautiful landscape.

Arad bay park is free to visit and is open 24 hours every day.

View Arad Bay Reserve on the map

Tubli Bay Reserve

Tubli Bay was approved as a nature reserve by the government of Bahrain in 1995. This was then followed by the Ministerial order on the prevention of reclamation and reconstruction in Tubli Bay. The reclamation and construction were regulated according to a set of conditions in the sanctuary covering a total area of 13.5 square kilometers. Tubli Bay was declared a protected reserve within the sites included in the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Convention). Currently, the Tubli Bay is declared as a full nature reserve.

View Tubli Bay Reserve on the map

Hawar Islands Reserve

Hawar islands and the territorial sea surrounding them are a protected area. The Hawar Islands Reserve is approximately 26 kilometers southeast of Ras El Bar, the island of Bahrain. They include six major islands, in addition to more than 30 small ones, with a total area of about 51.4 square kilometers.

Hawar Islands has a pristine environment with no urbanization which attracted many species of birds that live and breed at different times,

The Hawar Islands were also listed among the reserves included in the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Convention).

View Hawar Islands Reserve on the map

Mashtan Island Reserve

Mashtan Island is located east of Bahrain Island and north of Hawar Island, and covers an area of about 2.5 square kilometers. The Mashtan Island and the areas surrounding it are important for the biodiversity in the Kingdom of Bahrain, as there are many important marine plants in it of which seven different kinds have been identified. The island also homes many marine creatures and wild salt-tolerant plants that are considered part of the innate heritage vegetable in kingdom.