Why a tiny, water-scarce archipelago became a major point of international legal contention

Countries & Cities · Published 30 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Located just one nautical mile from Qatar but ten from Bahrain, the Hawar Islands are a desert archipelago defined by shifting sands and complex borders. Though mostly owned by Bahrain, these islands have been the subject of intense territorial disputes, unique ecological protections, and a landmark international court ruling.

The Hawar Islands consist of 36 distinct landmasses, though their exact count has fluctuated in historical records, with some early surveys identifying only eight or nine major islands. These formations are largely products of sedimentation and accretion, resulting in many smaller islets that are little more than exposed bedrock covered in sand or shingle. The largest island, Hawar, dominates the group, covering over 41 square kilometers of the total 54.5 square kilometer land area.

The archipelago's history is marked by a long-standing sovereignty dispute between Bahrain and Qatar. Despite being physically closer to the Qatari mainland, the majority of the islands were awarded to Bahrain following a 2001 International Court of Justice judgment. A notable exception is Jinan Island, located to the south, which was determined to be separate from the main group and placed under Qatari administration. Today, the islands are part of Bahrain’s Southern Governorate, with the exception of Jinan, which falls under Qatar’s Al-Shahaniya municipality.

Beyond the legal battles, the islands serve as a vital ecological sanctuary. They were designated a Ramsar site in 1997 and host significant populations of wildlife, including Arabian oryx, sand gazelle, and dugongs. The archipelago is particularly renowned for its birdlife, having been named an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International. In 1992, researchers recorded a massive breeding colony of Socotra cormorants, with estimates ranging from 200,000 to 300,000 adults, representing the largest known concentration of the species globally.

Human presence on the islands remains minimal and highly controlled. Historically, the islands lacked reliable fresh water, a challenge that persists today despite the use of desalination technology and imported supplies. While the main island features a hotel and a security presence, most of the archipelago is restricted. Access is primarily facilitated by a 25-kilometer ferry route from Manama, with the islands occasionally attracting interest for their potential as a specialized tourism destination.

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