Immerse yourself in Oman

Where to go… diving

Oman is scuba’s best-kept secret, with a coastline of teeming reefs, fascinating shipwrecks and remote isles where wildlife thrives undisturbed. You could find yourself finning beside leatherback turtles, bottlenose dolphins, and gigantic sea horses – and even, between September and October, in the company of whale sharks. The coast is dotted with dive centres, offering trips to Musandam, Mirbat, the Ad Daymaniyat Islands, Al Fahal (aka ‘Shark Island’) and the Al Munnassir wreck: all of them excellent sites, with especially good visibility from April to July. Liveaboards can take you further, of course, to little-visited coral reefs and bustling drop-offs – in hot pursuit of leopard sharks, puffer fish, manta rays and more.

Where to go… snorkelling

Divers don’t have all the fun: many of Oman’s marine marvels can be seen on snorkelling trips too. For especially calm water and colourful reefs, look to Musandam – the Omani enclave that is separated from the Sultanate by the UAE. This mountainous peninsula juts into the Strait of Hormuz, with countless coves and khayran (inlets) to explore, and is the focus of many conservation projects too. It’s worth spending a few days here, and exploring from one of the coastal resorts. Or, if time is tighter, head to the Ad Daymaniyat archipelago: it’s surrounded by vibrant coral and soft-sand beaches, and is just an hour’s sail from Muscat. If you've always wanted to swim with turtles, you’ll find them all along Oman’s coast – with hawksbills, olive ridleys, greens, loggerheads and leatherbacks spotted year-round.

Where to go...kitesurfing

With its long beaches, wild waves, and – from April to October – strong sea winds, Oman’s kitesurfing credentials are manifold. The scene is up-and-coming, but hotspots include Al Hail (a few minutes’ drive from central Muscat), Ras Al Hadd (near Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve – see below), and the ‘Sugar Dunes’ of Al Khaluf (some 350km further south). Kitesurfing schools tend to operate from Muscat, offering day trips and overnights along the coast. The beautiful island of Masirah, too, offers perfect conditions and totally deserted beaches, where the sand dunes spill into turquoise waters. The waves are so warm, you won’t need a wetsuit.

 Where to go… sailing

Historically, Oman is a nation of fishermen, pearl divers and sea traders – with marine traditions that date back 5,000 years. Unlike many of its Gulf neighbours, it is still wholly connected to the ocean, with fishing villages all along the coastline – though nowadays, their traditional wooden dhow boats are also used for recreation. Whether you’re on a sunset cruise from Muscat, or dolphin spotting in Musandam’s coves, a dhow trip is always glorious – even well into summer (June–August) when the sea breeze calms the heat. At watersports centres and seaside hotels, look out for yachting, windsurfing and parasailing too.

Where to go... Caving

From tiny crevices that only cave-divers can enter, to huge caverns right on the beach, Oman’s rocky coastline is full of spectacular grottoes. In Musandam, ask a local guide to show you the peninsula’s natural tunnels and swim-throughs: they’re best reached on snorkelling and diving trips, or a sea kayaking adventure. In Dhofar, Marneef Cave is a popular spot to visit on beach picnics and walks – while, on the cliffs nearby, the Mughsail blowholes erupt whenever the sea is rough. Close to Muscat, the Bar Al Jissah shoreline is also peppered with dramatic stone archways and coastal caves, and its soft-sand beaches are strewn with exotic shells.

 

Where to go… hiking

If you love your trails wild, your views expansive, and fascinating geology beneath your feet, you’ve come to the right place. In the Al Hajar mountain range, take a breath-stealing hike up Jebel Shams (the tallest peak in the country) which overlooks the mighty Wadi Ghul – known as the ‘Grand Canyon of Arabia’ for its spectacular kilometre-deep chasm. Look closely at the rock, and you’ll see it is dotted with countless small fossils, a reminder that it lay on the seabed over 70 million years ago. Other hiking highlights include Jebel Akhdar, for its lush farms and scenic villages (in March, the area’s famous Damask roses are in bloom); the cool Wadi Shab valley in Ash Sharqiyah, and the frankincense groves near Salalah.

 

Where to go… canyoning

Wadi Bani Awf is Oman’s natural waterpark – packed with fresh plunge pools, smooth rock waterslides and high diving platforms. It’s also known as ‘Snake Gorge’, for the twisting, narrow chasm that surrounds it: ideal for abseiling down, climbing up, or simply enjoying some midday shade. It’s located in the mountainous region of Ad Dakhiliyah, easily reachable on day trips from Muscat – though be sure to visit with an experienced guide. You’ll swim, splash and scramble through the canyon, with the option of braving some daredevil antics on the rocks that surround it. An exhilarating way to experience Oman’s inland beauty, even on hot summer days.

 

Where to go… climbing

From November to March, Oman’s weather is ideal for climbing – and there are routes and rocks for all abilities. Maybe you'll brave the mighty chasm of Wadi Ghul (a day trip from Muscat), the smaller sea-breezy peaks of Musandam, or the little-visited Dhofar mountains. Jebel Akhdar, known as the ‘Green Mountain’ for its fruit plantations and farms, has a via ferrata trail that can whiten the knuckles of even the most nimble climber, so lofty are its views of the Al Hajar peaks. Meanwhile, look closely at the craggy south face of Jebel Misht, and you’ll likely spot rock-jocks from all over the world: its 1,000-metre cliffs are the stuff of climbing legend.

 

Where to go… caving

Hidden beneath Oman’s mountains and wadis lies an incredible network of caves – including one of the largest chambers in the world, Majlis Al Jinn. Though it’s not open to the public, many of the nation’s other subterranean spectacles are, such as the two-million-year old Al Hoota complex. There are daily tours of its huge grottoes and lakes, including one waterway that’s almost one kilometre long – with sightings of bats, hunter spiders and rare underground fish. While no caving know-how is needed for Al Hoota, experienced explorers should head to Hoti Cave (near Al Hamra) and Muqal Cave (near Sur) – to crawl, climb and spelunk through the caverns and pools. 

 

Where to go… mountain biking

Mountain biking is a growing sport in Oman, but it already has trails to suit every ability – from easy jaunts through the low peaks around Musandam, to expert-level adventures on Jebel Shams and through Wadi Ghul. To find the best tracks, contact a specialist local operator: they’ll set you up with a great guide, trustworthy kit, and the ideal route for your experience level. In the Al Hajar region, many hotels offer day trips and bike hire – but it’s always best to explore with someone who knows the trails well, and can take you to the most exhilarating sections.

 

Where to go… desert camping

The Rub' al Khali, one of the world’s last unexplored wildernesses, covers the south-west corner of Oman – reaching into Saudi Arabia, Yemen and the UAE too. It’s known as the Empty Quarter, but as every wildlife lover knows, the desert is never empty: these shifting sands are home to Arabian foxes, sand cats, oryx and more. However, you don’t have to venture deep into the desert to find adventure: just south of the Hajar mountains, Al Sharqiya Sands' rose-coloured dunes are ripe for exploring, either on wild camping trips or a traditional Bedouin-style setup. Oman is home to some of the region’s most luxurious hotels, but nothing beats snoozing beneath its star-studded skies.