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Oman offers magnificent sights and experiences for visitors.
From dreamy Cities and Towns to
historic Castles & Forts,
stunning
Natural Wonders,
amazing Wildlife and spectacular
Adventure opportunities, the Sultanate
has surprises galore to woo the intrepid traveller.
Cities & Towns
MUSCAT
Muscat is Oman's financial and trade centre. Hamad bin Said took
Muscat as Oman's capital from Rustaq between 1779–1792 and this
has never since been contested. Today, under the leadership of
His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, Muscat has improved beyond
recognition, but has never lost its pride in its heritage and
culture. The capital area is a prime example of intelligent and
aesthetic development, blending the ancient and modern.
The shining prosperous city of today has amongst its successes:
state-of-the-art hospitals, superior educational establishments,
a major port – Mina Qaboos, Seeb International Airport alongside
a national airline carrier–Oman Air, a TV and radio network and
its own stock market– Muscat Securities Market. The Governorate
is home to 27.1% of the country's total population according to
2003 census.
Years ago, Muscat was walled in. However, the wall is now
replaced by a stone moat, which the Omanis call Al-Hosn or the
fortification. Parts of the original wall still remain in which
are located the three main access gates to the city: Bab al
Matha'eeb, the Greater Gate and the Lesser Gate.
Muscat has a number of beautiful beaches such as Qurum Beach,
Bandar Al-Jissah and Yeti. Public gardens and parks are
everywhere with Qurum Natural Park, Riam and Kalbouh being the
most popular.
Famous landmarks include Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Muttrah
Souq, the forts of Al-Jalali and Al-Mirani which flank his
Majesty's colourful and elegant Al-Alam Palace, Burj As-Sahwa,
Clock Tower Square, and Al-Bustan Palace Hotel; a building of
great eminence throughout the Arabian Peninsula.
Every year, the Muscat Festival draws crowds of visitors to
enjoy the exhibitions and events which the Muscat Municipality
organises.
SALALAH
The city of Salalah, the administrative capital of Dhofar
Governorate, lies on the Arabian Sea, around 1,040 km from
Muscat. The city has been subject to many historical and
archaeological studies over the years and evidence has been
found in the form of writing, inscriptions and signs indicating
that a number of different civilisations have succeeded each
other here, such as the ruins of Al-Blaid and Samhuram ancient
cities. The city is also home to Nabi Ayoub (Jacob) Tomb, housed
in a small distinctive doomed building surrounded by green hills
as well as the Tomb of Prophet Omran.
Not all the sights in Salalah belong to the past, however. The
city contains stunning beaches and steep, mountainous
landscapes. The city has also a number of springs such as Ain
Sahnawt, Ain Rzat and Ain Hamran, around which the parks and
gardens were setup. Salalah is quickly developing as a tourist
resort and is attracting a number of international hotel chains
like Hilton and Crowne Plaza.
Port Salalah, completed in 1998, is anticipated to become one of
the world's most important container terminals.
SOHAR
Sohar was the main city of trade centuries ago. The city is
renowned for its copper deposits, and archaeological evidence
points to copper extraction being carried out 5,000 years ago.
There are still three copper mines in operation in Sohar with
over 18 million tons of copper deposits.
The city is an attractive region for tourists due to its clean,
safe beaches and the plethora of archaeological features. One of
the first references to 'Sohar' is in the work of historian,
Yaqut Al-Hamawi who implies that the city took its name in the
6th century AH from a descendent of Noah: Sohar bin Adam bin Sam
bin Noah.
When the Palestinian Arab scholar Muqadisi visited the city in
the 10th century AH, he described it as a "flourishing city with
a large number of people living there. It is a beautiful city
with a comfortable life ...and its mosque overlooks the sea ...
the Mihrab changes colour because it is covered in copper...”
Sohar Castle is one of the most prominent features in the city,
alongside the magnificent roundabouts and beautiful public
parks. Sohar is under tourist development and a number of deluxe
hotels have now been built. A new port is under construction in
the city, being built at a cost of OMR 120 million, and it will
be home to the largest oil refinery in the Sultanate. Sohar has
many wadis with running water, such as Wadi Hibi, Wadi Ahin and
Wadi Al-Jizzi.
NIZWA
The oasis city of Nizwa, the largest in the interior province,
was the capital of Oman in the 6th and 7th centuries AH. Today,
it is a diverse, prosperous area, which has many agricultural,
historical, governmental and recreational aspects. Nizwa Castle,
located in the town proper, is an imposing structure. With its
connections to the root of Islam, Nizwa has a number of
important mosques, such as Nizwa Mosque; a Friday mosque
heralded as a 'beacon of science', So'al Mosque; built in the
2nd century AH, and Al-Shawadhana Mosque which is located in the
district of Aqr.
Nizwa is famous for its bustling souq where tourists can buy
exquisite copper and silver jewellery and other craft items. The
souq is situated next to the castle and was renovated in the
1990's, costing OMR 2.5 million. The design of the souq
compliments the castle in every way, and has been constructed
using same traditional materials. In 1993, Nizwa won the award
of 'Organisation of Arab Cities'.
There are around 90 afalaj in the area, the most important being
Falaj Daris; the life maintainer of Nizwa gardens and the water
supplier for all domestic purposes. The Wadi Tanuf Dam,
completed in 1989, is designed to increase the supply of
subterranean water which feeds the afalaj of Daris and Tanuf.
The increased supply has led to an expansion in the agricultural
area. The dam is 135 m long and is located on the watercourse of
Wadi Tanuf which is famous in the Middle East for its mineral
water.
SUR
The main city and administrative centre of A'Sharqiyah Region,
Sur is an ancient port and seafaring town that lies on the east
coast 310 km from Muscat. Portuguese, who ruled the Gulf in the
16th century, occupied Sur until it was recaptured by Nasser ibn
Murshid, first Imam of Al-Ya'aribah dynasty, in the 17th
century.
The name of Sur is thought to be derived from the city of Sur in
south Lebanon (Tyre). Sur played a major part in the trade
between Oman, East Africa, and India. A variety of goods were
imported and exported through its port. It was one of the
renowned centres for shipbuilding in the country, with great
ocean going, high-sterned baghala and ghanja ships in continuous
production. The division between Oman and Zanzibar in 1861, and
the arrival of the British India Steam Navigation Company which
operated between India and the Gulf, had a deleterious effect on
the trading activities of the port, which thus affected the
shipbuilding industry. Seven boatyards are now operated by the
private sector, and craftsmen still use the traditional methods
of shipbuilding to create ocean-going vessels. However, the tall
ships are no longer made.
The Sur Maritime Museum charts the history of shipbuilding in
the town. With its strong seafaring connections, it is hardly
surprising that the legendary sailor, Sinbad, is thought to have
originated there. A replica of the type of boat Sinbad sailed is
situated in the Al-Bustan roundabout in Muscat.
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Castles & Forts
The country's landscape is punctuated by over 500 hilltop forts
and castles, with distinctive regional architecture, that are
monuments to a turbulent and fascinating past. They also offer
insights into the lifestyles of their original inhabitants and
traditional Omani craft and arts.
Many of these have been painstakingly restored, or are in the
process of restoration. Following is a list of the major castles
and forts of the Sultanate.
NIZWA CASTLE
Set amid a verdant spread of date palms, Nizwa Castle is a
powerful reminder of the town of Nizwa's invincibility through
turbulent periods in Oman's long history. The town of Nizwa has
a strategic location at the crossroads of vital caravan routes
linking interior, Muscat and Dhofar regions. Nizwa was declared
the capital of Oman in the 17th century during the reign of Imam
Sultan Bin Saif Al-Ya'arubi, who built and used the castle as
his headquarters.
The most striking feature of the castle is the central tower–a
colossal 150-feet-diameter circular tower soaring 115 feet above
the rest of fortification, complete with battlements, turrets,
secret shafts, false doors and wells.
4 cannons now remain on the tower's summit, down from a total of
24, which once served as the castle's main firepower provided
complete 360-degree coverage of the countryside around.
NAKHL CASTLE
Located in Al-Batinah region, the castle sets on top of a
200-metre rocky prominence in the foothills of the Western Hajar
Mountains, overlooking the extended verdant palm farms of Nakhl
countryside which gave the castle its name.
The castle is believed to be dated to pre Islamic period and was
restored in the 3rd & 10th century A.H. during the reign of Bani
Kharous and Ya'aribah Imams, respectively. The gate, fence and
towers were built during the reign of Imam Said bin Sultan in
1834. In 1990, restoration work began, using traditional
building materials and period furnishings.
RUSTAQ CASTLE
The castle nestles at the foot of Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar edging Al-Batina
plain. It was first built upon Persian ruins circa in 13th
century (around 1250 AD) but the current structure was
re-established by the first Imam of Al-Ya'aribah dynasty between
1624-1649.
The castle has 4 towers and contains several structures, which
were used for housing, storage and defence. Rustaq Castle is
penetrated by Falaj Al-Sa'eghi and contains several wells,
Bayadha mosque, and the tomb of late Imam; Sultan bin Seif. The
Castle was restored in 1986.
SOHAR CASTLE
The Sohar Castle is one of the most prominent features in the
city of Sohar and was built between the 13th and 14th century AD
by the 'Emirs of Hormuz'.
Imam Nasser bin Murshid Al Ya'arubi managed to conquer and expel
the Portuguese from the castle, which was used since then as the
administration centre for the rulers of Al-Bu Said dynasty.
An escape tunnel runs from inside the Fort to the Wilayat of
Buraimi, 10 km to the west. It was used as a route to obtain
reinforcements and supplies during sieges. The castle features a
museum located inside it.
BAHLA CASTLE
Located in Bahla; Ad-Dakhliyah region, the Bahla Castle is one
of the oldest remaining strongholds in Oman and has been listed
by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1988.
The Bahla Castle is a walled triangular-shaped building, with
its wall stretching for 12 km surrounding the old town of Bahla.
The main structures of the Castle are located on a high land in
the eastern corner, with some parts are thought dated back to
the Pre-Islamic period. The Castle encompasses 132 watchtowers
with guardrooms.
Bahla Castle witnessed three renovation periods: the first was
during Nabhani reign (830 AD), the second was during the reign
of Imam Nasser bin Murshid Al Ya'arubi (1624 AD), and the third
was during the reign of Imam A'zan bin Qais Al-Bu Said (1868
AD). Restoration has been recently completed.
THE TWIN FORTS
Flanking His Majesty the Sultan's Al-Alam Palace are
the so-called Twin Forts: Al-Jalali and Al-Mirani. The Twin
Forts in conjunction with the veritable defences of the Fort of
Muttrah and a host of fortified structures and watchtowers along
the rocky ridges of the bay, made Muscat virtually impregnable.
They collectively supplemented the old city's natural defences
offered by the massed rows of rocky hills fringing the bay.
The forts were originally built by Portuguese in the early of
the 16th century, and more fortifications and towers were added
towards the latter half of the century. Upon the edifice's
capture by victorious Omani forces in 1650 AD, the Forts were
gradually rebuilt and strengthened to take their present form.
Now, proud monuments of that glorious era of Omani gallantry and
its martial heritage, the forts resemble a grand museum set in
an authentic, but grandiose ambience.
JIBRIN FORT
Located in Jibrin town in Wilayat Bahla; Ad-Dakhliyah
region, Jibrin Fort resembles a remarkable blend of defensive
architecture and sophisticated artistry. It consists of three
floors and 55 rooms, and is penetrated by Falaj Jibrin.
The Fort is considered one of the most impressive forts in the
Sultanate and the details and carvings in the rooms and
balconies are most elaborate. Finely painted flowers and symbols
are found on the ceilings in the 'living' rooms. This exquisite
palace was built by Bala'rab bin Sultan Al-Ya'arubi (1680-1692
AD). The tomb of Imam remains within the Fort. The Jibrin Fort
was restored and furnished in 1982.
KHASAB FORT
A picturesque stronghold situated on the inner cove of
Khasab Bay in Wilayat Khasab–Musandam, the Khasab Fort was built
in the 17th century by Portuguese seeking dominion over regional
maritime trade.
Within its low crenulated walls, the fort contains a large
central tower which is anticipated to pre-date the fort itself.
It was restored in 1989.
AL-KHANDAQ FORT
Located in Hamasa town in Welayat Buraimi;
Adh-Dhahirah Region, the Al-Khandaq Fort sets an excellent
example of an entrenched stronghold in Oman.
The use of a defensive trench or "dry moat" is an ancient
strategy which was employed in the protection of Omani cities,
castles and fortresses since before the arrival of Islam. It was
restored in 1994.
MIRBAT FORT
The old incense port of Mirbat in Dhofar is the site of
one of the last battles in the world involving conventional
attack and defence from a fortress. The documented and
fiercely-fought battle at Mirbat Fort was a milestone in the
Dhofari insurrection of the mid 1970's. It was restored in 1991.
BAYT AN-NAMAN
The construction of Bayt An-Naman is among the many achievements
of the political and economic renaissance that took place under
the rule of Ya'aribah Imams. Serving as a rest house for
distinguished travellers and elites, this country stronghold
continued to be used until a few decades ago.
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Natural Wonders
From the ancient fjords of Musandam, to the lush green hills and
waterfalls of Dhofar, from the deep wadis to the peaks of the
dramatic Hajar Mountains, across the drifting desert dunes of
A'Sharqiyah (Wahiba) Sands and the untameable Empty Quarter, to
the endless unspoilt beaches along the Arabian Sea: the
Sultanate of Oman is a country rich in diverse natural beauty.
All just waiting to be explored...
Desert
Ash-Sharqiyah Sands (also known as Wahiba Sands) offer the
visitors a ‘romantic desert experience’ in the accepted sense of
the word. The rolling sand dunes, varying from deep red to a
rich honey colour sands, stretch as far as the eye can see.
The sands stretch for 180 km from north to south and 80 km from
east to west. They consist of grains of various eroded rocks and
marine sediments blown into the area.
Driving through the Wahiba Sands requires skill, boards for
digging out and a long tow rope in case one gets stuck. It is
recommended thus to take one of the organised tours from Muscat
which are led by knowledgeable guides.
Wadis
A wadi is a dried up riverbed found in the mountain valleys.
Wadis come into their own after heavy rains, when the rivers
start running again and the vegetation is restored. However,
some wadis have year-round running water, with deep, cool pools
in which it is quite safe to swim if the currents are slow as in
Wadi Bani Khalid (A'Sharqiyah). On the whole, wadis are only
accessible with a four-wheel drive vehicle, as the terrain can
be extremely bumpy.
Wadis are green, lush oases of palm trees, grasses, and
flowering shrubs. The villagers often take their cars down for
washing and groups of people have great fun splashing around in
the clean water. It is always safest to visit wadis in a group
or with a tour guide. Although they are beautiful places, they
are often remote and car breakdowns can happen to anyone.
Visitors must also be on the alert for rain clouds, as sudden
downpours can lead to flash floods, which are highly dangerous
when in the gorges. Some of the popular wadis in Oman include:
WADI DAYQAH
Known as the Devil's Gap, Wadi Dayqah was described by explorer
S. B. Miles in 1896 as "the most singular piece of earth
sculpture in Arabia". The wadi runs through a narrow winding
vertical-sided canyon that looks as though the mountain has been
split in two. The walls soar to 1,700 metres and close in to 12
metres in some places.
When it rains, the waters of the surrounding wadis and
tributaries drain and pour through the canyon that can sweep
away everything in its path. Swimming, or at the very least,
deep wading, is usually necessary, especially when crossing deep
pools and channels that lie beyond the huge boulders. The
alternative would be to scramble around these boulders.
WADI DARBAT
The most popular wadi in Dhofar, Wadi Darbat is a place of true
natural beauty with caves, pools, waterfalls, wildlife and lush
green vegetation. The wadi has also a number of gorgeous caves
that have been cut by the wadi, leaving them in halves.
WADI SHAB
Wadi Shab is 76 Km from Quriyat–Muscat. The road to the
wadi dips as it crosses the bed of the ravine and rises steeply
on the other side where the houses of Tiwi cling to the cliffs.
At the mouth of the wadi is a single beach dotted with fishing
boats.
Water flows all year round. The wadi runs through a narrow gorge
with date plantations, restful pools and lush vegetation.
Oleander bushes attract butterflies and the singing of the birds
is delightful.
Mountains
AL-JABAL AL-AKHDAR
At about 10,000 feet above sea level, Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar (The
Green Mountain) is the highest peak in the Eastern Hajar
mountains and one of the highest points in the Sultanate. The
thrilling views from the Jabal, as well as its balmy climate,
are among the qualities that distinguish it as one of the top
tourism spots in Oman.
The summer does not exceed 30°C on the Jabal, while in winter
the temperature can plunge below 5°C. The Jabal receives an
annual average of 303 mm of rainfall. The higher planes of the
mountain are densely populated with lush vegetation comprising
fruit trees, flowers and shrubs, which give rise to the name.
Some 54 nuclear communities sprinkled over different levels on
the mountain, have clusters of farms growing pomegranates,
apricots, peaches, cherries and walnuts.
The Desert Rose whose sweetly scented flowers are used in the
making of rose water is unique to the Jabal. A great part of the
Jabal consists of woodland, with Junipers, constituting the
dominant species. Their leaves, soaked in locally made massaging
oils, are very effective for the treatment of muscular pain and
headache. Another commonly occurring tree in the woodland
section of the Jabal is the Thorn Bush (Acacia Tortilis) whose
leaves and pods provide livestock with regular fodder.
Springs are the main source of water supply for inhabitants,
with the entire breadth of the area being linked with a network
of aflaj. There are many ancient settlements in the Jabal, but
the stone hamlets in Dhan Al-Bisateen are the most popular.
JABAL HARIM
At 2,087 m, Jabal Harim is the highest peak in
Musandam. Along the ridge are breathtaking views down into the
wadis and foothills. Small settlements precariously balance on
the mountain sides where every possible piece of land has been
utilised. Green fields are enclosed by stone walls which protect
the crops from livestock and trap precious water that runs off
the rocky surface. The mountain people grow their crops in the
rainy season, usually from December to March. In spring the
range of wildflowers is surprising for such seemingly barren
area. Tiny Iris and Gladioli can be seen along with many other
varieties.
Caves
There are many caverns in Oman and the country is home to one of
the largest caves in the world recently discovered; Taiq Cave,
which is 250 m in depth, 300 million m3 in size. It is thought
that the cave was formed as a result of several chambers
collapsing due to erosion. Other caves of interest include:
AL-HOTI CAVE
Located in A'Dakhliyah region, the cave is a 2.7 km tunnel which
runs in a north-south direction through the Hajar Mountains and
comprises an underground cavern and subterranean lake system.
There are many offshoots to the main tunnel, but so far, only
approximately 5 km have been charted by experienced cavers.
Beware of the main bath though.
The subterranean lake is home to unusual species of aquatic
animals such as Blind Fish which sense their way around the lake
with feelers. The main lake within the cave system is around 800
m long, but please do not be tempted to swim in the waters and
disturb the delicate eco-system.
The main chamber of Hoti Cave is around the size of the ballroom
of Al-Bustan Palace Hotel and contains some magnificent cave
formations, stalactites, stalagmites, and columns which have
evolved over millions of years. These beautiful structures are
delicately coloured in shades of pink, yellow, gold, beige and
grey.
MAJLIS AL-JIN
The second largest subterranean cave chamber known in the world
– big enough to fit ten jumbo jets into the floor space and tall
enough to stack them four high. Situated on a plateau of Jabel
Bani Jabir (A'Sharqiyah), the entrance is through one of three
inconspicuous openings in the ground. The longest drop into the
cave is 158 metres and not to be undertaken without specialist
equipment and expertise.
Beaches
With a coastline of 1,700 km, Oman offers some of the cleanest,
most stunning beaches a visitor could hope to see. Weekend
picnics and barbeques are popular on Oman’s beaches. Many coves
are perfect for snorkelling and with fairly gentle shelves, are
good for children. Popular beaches in the Capital Area include:
QURUM BEACH
Starting below the Crowne Plaza Hotel stretching
around Qurum area, the beach is well set up for visitors and has
a number of picnic areas and palm shades.
When the tide is low, one can take a 4 km walk towards the
Embassies' area in Shati Al-Qurum. Approximately half way along
this stretch of beach is the Muscat InterContinental hotel.
Around this area are many jet ski rentals.
BANDAR JISSAH
Located near Qantab, on the way to Al-Bustan Palace Hotel. The
bay is quite secluded and the rocks at the foot of the cliffs
can be good for exploring when the tide is out. Snorkelling is
popular here. There is also a children's playground and snack
shop. The beach is the home of Oman Diving Centre.
AS-SAWADI BEACH
The Sawadi region is home to some of the most
beautiful long, white beaches in the north of the Sultanate and
off this peninsula are As-Sawadi Island and Dimaniyat Islands,
which host many migratory birds and breeding turtles.
A wide variety of recreational pursuits and water sports are
offered by As-Sawadi Beach Resort located in the area, such as
jet skiing, waterskiing, banana boat rides and turtle watching
as well as snorkelling trips.
Built on the summit of As-Sawadi Island is a watchtower. Access
to this watchtower is by means of a steep and long flight of
stairs. There are shelters on this island erected by the
municipality for the benefit of picnickers.
OTHERS
In addition to Muscat beaches, Oman's coastline is
rich with wide bays, rocky caves and inlets. Dolphins and
turtles are often seen close to the shore in some areas, and the
lagoons are resting spots for many migratory birds along the
coastline.
The characteristics of the beaches differ however from one area
to another: some are rocky and shingled; others are of clean,
white sand such as Khaluf (Al-Wusta) and Al-Ashkharah; the jewel
of the eastern Sharqiyah. Some beaches have a landscape
scattered with rocks of spectacular forms and colours shaped by
erosion as in Ra'as Duqm (Al-Wusta) and Ra'as Al-Hadd (A'Sharqiyah).
The Khawrs of Dhofar coast possess many unique features such as
the rocky outcrops on the beach of Mughsayl that contain many
blowholes which burst dramatically during high tide; a unique
phenomenon not found anywhere else in Oman. These Khawrs are
valuable resources with an abundance of wildlife, and have been
thus declared a natural reserve.
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Wildlife
Oman has a surprisingly varied wildlife, both on land and in the
surrounding waters. Strict laws have been established to ban
hunting as a number of indigenous animals have now become
endangered, such as the Arabian Leopard and the Arabian Oryx.
Nature Reserves have been set up throughout the Sultanate to
protect the natural habitats of mammals like the Leopard, Oryx,
Gazelle, Taher, Ibex, Desert Foxes and Wild Cats.
As-Saleel Park is a nature reserve located in the town of Al-Kamil
Wal-Wafi (A'Sharqiyah), and was established to protect gazelles
and plantations of Samr and Ghaf trees (Acacia tortilis and
Cineraria).
Jiddat Al-Harasis Reserve is home to the Arabian Oryx and the
area is listed on the World Natural and Cultural Heritage
register by UNESCO.
The warm waters are home to 22 species of Whale and Dolphin.
Oman is a member of the International Whaling Commission and
follows the Convention of International Trade in Endangered
Species (CITES) guidelines in preventing the trade of endangered
animals.
Sea turtles are attracted to Oman's shores and turtle breeding
reserves are located at Ras Al-Hadd and the Dimaniyyat Islands.
Oman has a profusion of exotic marine life and some of the best
dive sites in the world. In particular, the Hallaniyat Islands
and the Dimaniyyat Islands offer chances to see beautifully
coloured tropical fish and unusual hard and soft corals.
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Adventure
DIVING
With 1,700 km of coastline, and clean, unpolluted waters, Oman
is one of the best kept secrets in the diving world. There are a
number of dive agents who will arrange trips to the numerous
coral reefs surrounding the Sultanate. The diving available in
Oman provides adventure and enjoyment with dramatic wall
drop-offs to scenic coral lined fjords, ranging in depth from
6–40 metres.
Oman has good sea conditions with an average visibility of 20-30
metres. There are many superb dive sites around the capital
area, including Cemetery Bay, Fahal Island and Dimaniyyat
Islands. The sea-life is abundant regardless of chosen site with
a variety of hard and soft corals present and shoals of fish
everywhere. The diving is easy diving with good intact corals
and a spectacular range of fish, with possibility to see
dolphins on the way to the dive sites. In April 2003, an old
86-metre-long armed vessel–Al-Munassir was sunk to function as a
wreck.
Night dives are popular and divers are often astounded by the
amount of phosphorescence found in Oman's night-time waters.
During the winter months, the sea temperature drops to 20-25°C
and one may require a 5mm wetsuit. During the summer months, as
the sea temperature rises, a 3mm wetsuit will suffice.
DOLPHIN WATCHING
Dolphins are popular in Oman's coastal water and
whales are occasionally seen. Fahal Island is a good site to
spot dolphins in hundreds roaming around or following the tuna.
Spinner, Common and some Bottlenose dolphins are the main types.
Orcas playing round the island have been reported twice in 2002.
SURFING
One of the best places to surf in Oman is Masirah Island,
reached only by ferry from Sana on the mainland. The ferry times
depend on the tides, but there are usually four trips each day.
The ferry takes around one hour to reach the island and it is
then a drive of approximately 15 minutes to the eastern side
where the surf breaks.
The size of the surf depends on the time of the year, but 4-6
feet is normal. Masirah is also an ideal area for Windsurfing,
particularly during the Khareef (monsoon season–June to
September). Visitors can camp on the clean, unpolluted beaches
and purchase essential provisions from the local shops.
KAYAKING
New Kayaking opportunities in the warm waters of Oman are ideal.
Kayaking tours are available among the fjords of Bander Al-Kheran
in Muscat. It is also possible to only rent single or double sea
kayaks with optional glass bottom.
FISHING
You can enjoy catching Barracuda, Red Snapper, Rainbow Runners
and more in the best fishing grounds of Oman. Groups of up to 10
people can be accommodated, with up to 4 people fishing at any
one time. Game Fishing is also available. Its trips are
organised in the Arabian Sea; home to the Sailfish, Yellow Fin
Tuna and a lot more. With 2 rods out at a time, people can
rotate turns, max 7 people fishing. If the tuna are running then
you had better get in shape already.
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