Al Hashemi Marine Museum

Al Hashemi Marine Museum, Kuwait City — A Practical Guide to Kuwait’s Giant Dhow and Maritime Heritage

The Al Hashemi Marine Museum sits beside the Al-Hashemi II—the largest wooden dhow ever built—on the waterfront next to the Radisson Blu Hotel in Rumaithiya/Salwa, Kuwait. The dhow holds an official Guinness World Record and functions as a conference and events venue; the adjacent gallery space showcases models, artifacts, and Kuwait’s seafaring legacy.

### Fast facts (verified)
– Location/Plus Code: 832Q+HP2, Rumaithiya, Kuwait (adjacent to Radisson Blu Hotel, south of central Kuwait City).
– Coordinates: 29.3013932, 48.0892718.
– Signature feature: Al-Hashemi II dhow (Guinness-record holder; approx. 80.4 m long × 18.7 m wide).
– Use today: Maritime museum + event/conference venue (the dhow houses a conference center/ballroom used for large functions). Hotels

> Accuracy note: Opening hours and access can change, especially when the dhow and surrounding spaces are booked for private events. Always confirm availability with the on-site team before visiting. Some listings indicate free entry; verify current policy directly. Contact: +965 2567 3000.

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## Why this museum matters

Kuwait’s modern story was written on the sea—regional dhow building, pearling, and trade shaped communities long before oil. The Al-Hashemi II is both a tribute to that era and a feat of contemporary craft: a record-setting wooden ship built with traditional techniques, commissioned by the Marafie family, and completed as a landmark next to the Radisson Blu.

Inside and around the museum you’ll typically find large-scale model dhows, curated displays, and interpretive material that connect the dots between vessels like baghlah, boom, and sambuk types and Kuwait’s maritime economy. (The hotel and local features coverage explicitly call out the museum presence next to the dhow.)

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## What you’ll actually see

– The Dhow Itself (Exterior + Event Interior): Al-Hashemi II’s scale is the headline: an 80-meter-class handmade wooden ship with ornate joinery and an events interior used for conferences, weddings, and cultural functions. You’ll observe the hull’s sweeping lines, towering stern, and decorative carving. Access to the interior depends on event schedules and permissions.
– Maritime Museum Galleries: Adjacent exhibits focus on Kuwait’s seafaring heritage, including model ships and historical context—useful for understanding dhow types and their roles in the Gulf trade and pearling eras.

> Outdated/variable data to flag: Third-party tourism pages sometimes publish fixed hours or “always free” claims. These can be inaccurate or out of date. Treat them as tentative and confirm by phone before you go.

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## Planning your visit

### Getting there
The museum/dhow complex stands beside the Radisson Blu Hotel on the coast in Rumaithiya/Salwa. Many ride-hailing or taxi drivers will recognize “Radisson Blu Kuwait” and “Al-Hashemi dhow.” The site’s Plus Code (832Q+HP2) is also widely accepted by map apps. Hotels

### Hours & access
– Check same-day availability due to frequent private functions in the dhow/conference center. Hotels
– Some directories state free entry to the museum; confirm current policy by phone as fees and access policies can change. +965 2567 3000.

### Best time to go
Aim for weekday mornings when event schedules are lighter (based on venue use patterns published by the hotel/meetings pages). If you’re a photographer, softer coastal light early or late in the day flatters the dhow’s wooden detail. (Photography rules can vary inside event spaces; ask on arrival.) Hotels

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## Context that enriches the experience

– Guinness World Record: Al-Hashemi II appears in the 2002 Guinness World Records as the largest wooden dhow. You’ll see length/beam figures cited with slight variation due to different measurement conventions; the record lists approx. 80.4 m × 18.7 m.
– Commission & Build: The dhow was commissioned by Husain Marafie; planning began in the 1980s with construction in the late 1990s. It was built using traditional caulking and carpentry, but it was never intended to sail; it functions as a permanent, on-land landmark and venue.
– Conference Center Role: The Radisson Blu identifies Al-Hashemi II as a key part of its 2,650 m² meetings portfolio, with capacity for large events—a major reason public access fluctuates. Hotels

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## Practical tips (evidence-based)

1. Call before you go. Because the dhow is an events venue, walk-in access to interior spaces is not guaranteed. Use the published hotel/museum contact to confirm same-day access. Hotels
2. Expect security/etiquette protocols. When events are underway, certain areas may be restricted; follow staff guidance and signage. (This is routine for conference venues per the hotel’s meetings pages.) Hotels
3. Study the dhow types beforehand. Knowing the differences between boom, baghlah, and sambuk makes the model displays more meaningful; the hotel’s cultural features and museum write-ups emphasize these traditional categories.

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## Nearby for a half-day itinerary
Pair your museum visit with waterfront stops in Salwa/Salmiya (shopping and dining hubs) or loop north toward central Kuwait City landmarks like Kuwait Towers—a straightforward coastal drive from the Radisson Blu area. (Route planning depends on traffic; verify live conditions.) Hotels

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## Essential details (to copy into your notes)

– Place: Al Hashemi Marine Museum (by Al-Hashemi II dhow)
– Address/Plus Code: 832Q+HP2, Rumaithiya, Kuwait (Radisson Blu Hotel, coastal side)
– Phone: +965 2567 3000 (for access and current policies)
– Claimed access policy: Often reported as free; confirm before visiting.
– What’s unique: Guinness-record wooden dhow; museum focused on Kuwaiti maritime heritage and dhow-building tradition.

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### Final accuracy flags
– Hours & ticketing: Third-party listings show conflicting times and fee info. Treat all such details as subject to change; rely on direct confirmation.
– Interior access: The dhow’s ballroom/conference role means parts of the complex may be closed to public viewing during events. Plan accordingly. Hotels

This guide contains only information supported by published sources at the time of writing; where data varies among sources, that variance is explicitly called out above.