Diving, Surfing & Kayaking
With 3,165 km of coastline and clean, unpolluted waters, Oman is one of the best kept secrets in the diving world.
Diving in Oman provides adventure and enjoyment with dramatic wall drop-offs and scenic coral lined fjords, ranging in depth from 6-40 m. Oman enjoys good sea conditions with an average visibility of 20-30 m. Diving is relatively easy. During winter months, the sea temperature drops to 20-25 C° and a 5 mm wetsuit may be necessary. In summer, as the sea temperature rises, a 3 mm wetsuit will suffice. Night dives are popular and divers are often astonished by the amount of phosphorescence found in Oman's night-time waters.
There are several superb dive sites around the Capital Area, including Fahal Island, the Damaniyyat Islands and Cemetery Bay.
Whatever the choice of site, underwater life is abundant; a variety of intact hard and soft corals and a spectacular range of fish can be seen. The trip to the site is often rewarded by the sight of dolphins.
A number of diving agents operate in the Sultanate, and can arrange trips to the numerous diving sites along the shores of the Sultanate.
One of the great places to surf in the Sultanate is Masirah Island. The height of the surf depends on the time of year, but 4-6 feet is normal.
Masirah is also an ideal spot for windsurfing, particularly during the Khareef (monsoon season; June to September). Visitors can camp on the clean, unpolluted beaches and purchase essential provisions from local shops.
The island is reached only by ferry from the village of Shanna on the mainland, a trip taking roughly one hour. Ferry times depend on tides, but there are usually four crossings a day. Once docked, it is a 15-minute drive eastbound to where the surf breaks.
The warm waters of Oman are ideal for this sport and kayaking tours are available around the inlets of Bander Al-Khiran close to Muscat. It is also possible to rent single or double sea kayaks with optional glass bottoms.
Desert Safari
The Omani desert is a large expanse of sand dunes extending 200km from the mountains of the Eastern Hajar down to the Arabian Sea. The best known of these is Sharqiyah Sands (formerly known as the Wahiba Sands) with its dunes rising to an imposing 200m.
Desert adventures in Oman offer many experiences: camel-riding, dune-driving, sand-boarding or just sitting around a campfire under the stars in the traditional Bedouin style. Watching the sun set over a pristine desert landscape is an awe-inspiring experience in itself, but once the sun has drifted below the dunes and the desert skies have darkened, a blanket of stars is revealed, unlike anything most city dwellers have ever seen before.
Camel Racing
The camel is a vital part of the fabric of Omani society. It is part of a highly valued tradition, which accounts for the great importance of camel racing in this part of the world.
Omani people take pride and care in raising their camels and no expense is spared in their diet and training. Camels are carefully bred for racing and undergo intensive training in order to compete at national and international levels. Pedigree camels are given names reflecting their respective abilities and endurance, and partake in long distance races held on specially built race tracks across the Sultanate.
The races are normally held on public holidays and during the annual National Day celebrations. As with horse races, camel races are arranged by Oman Equestrian Federation (OEF). Some regions and wilayats also organise their own local races.
OEF Camel Race Calender
Ash-Sharqiyah - 11 Jan - Al-Qabil
Al-Batinah - 19 Jan - Al-Musanaah
Camel Race - 31 Jan - 1 Feb - Jaalan Bani B. Ali
Camel Race - 13 - 14 Feb - Thumrait
Dhofar & Al-Wusta - 23 Feb - Muhut
Annual Race - 7 - 8 Mar - Sohar
Bird Watching
Oman is internationally known for its birdlife, attracting avid bird watchers and ornithologists from all over the world. According to the Oman Bird Records Committee, more than 460 different bird species have been recorded in Oman, out of which 80 species have been classified as resident, while the rest are migrant and seasonal species.
Oman offers a unique opportunity to watch birds from Europe, Africa and Asia in one spot. During their annual migrations in spring and autumn, millions of birds pass across the length and breath of Oman and an impressive variety can be seen in Muscat Capital Area. These migratory periods coincide with the cooler weather between October and April, the best time to watch birds in the Sultanate of Oman.
Some of the common resident species one expects to see in and around the Capital Area include herons (Striated and Western Reef), Ospreys, Swift Terns, Laughing Doves, Egyptian Vultures, and Indian Rollers.
Common migrant and seasonal species include Cattle Egret, Little Stint, Greater Flamingos, Caspian Gulls, Spotted Flycatchers, Grey Heron, Dunlins, Sandwich Terns, Red and Green shanks, Ruff and White Wagtails.
Bird-watching Sites
In the Capital Area, good locations for bird-watching are within easy reach of all the major hotels. Some of these hotels, such as the gardens of the Muscat InterContinental and Al-Bustan Palace hotels, are in fact good starting points for spotting birds.
Qurum Natural Park with its rich variety of resident birds in their natural habitat is another easily accessible location. However, Al-Ansab Lagoon is undoubtedly the best place for bird watching, not only in the Muscat area but probably in the entire Sultanate.
Outside the Capital Area, birding locations abound from Musandam in the north to Dhofar in the south.
In Musandam eagles are to be found in large numbers. In Al-Wusta region the Arabian Oryx Sanctuary provides an excellent opportunity to watch desert species, notably the Spotted Sand Grouse, Golden Eagle and Houbara Bustard.
Masirah Island in A'Sharqiyah region is the home of thousands of birds especially in winter. Species too be seen here include flamingoes, seagulls, terns and herons.
With its diverse terrain, monsoon rains and lush vegetation, the Governorate of Dhofar is a paradise for birds, particularly African species.
Most sites are an hour’s drive from Salalah, with Al-Mugsayl and Rawri beaches being the most popular. Many resident species can also be seen in and around the springs of Ain Razat and Ain Hamran.
Bird-watching Tours
Some tour operators arrange bird-watching tours. Muscat Diving and Adventure Centre offers bird-watching tours under the guidance of Hanna & Jens Eriksen, co-authors of "Bird-watching guide to Oman" and world-renowned bird photographers.
