Best Water Activities to Do in Oman
Spread across one of the longest coastlines in the Arabian peninsula at 2092 km The Sultanate of Oman is bordered by three bio geographically distinct water bodies: the Arabian or the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman also known as the Oman Sea, and the Arabian Sea.
So it is no wonder that while exploring Oman, some time dedicated to the water activities is a must. Despite all the great land activities, it is a must to discover our Omani ocean's beauty.
Dolphin watching
Discover a wonderful experience of getting close to dolphins and whales in the water when you visit Muscat in Oman. The Dolphin watching tour timing can vary but most tours tend to be about two hours. Dolphins are spotted in Muscat throughout the year and so too do the dolphin tours operate throughout the year. Visitors can take upon a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience the ethereal feeling of watching these creatures dance along with the waves. Along with watching the dolphins, visitors also have a chance to enjoy the scenic beauty of Muscat Coastline on these tours.
There are many different types of dolphins and whales spotted in Oman. The most frequently sighted dolphin species around Muscat are spinner dolphins who are oftentimes joined by the long-nosed common dolphins,and can be spotted riding the waves in a mixed group. But on a less regular basis are Bryde’s Whales, Humpback Whales, Risso’s Dolphins, Bottlenose Dolphins, False Killer Whale and the occasional Killer Whale group, among others. Spinner dolphins are also commonly spotted in Muscat which delight the viewer because of their spinning leaps.
When dolphins are in a playful, social mood they can be extremely tactile with one another and be spotted playing games. This playful time is when they are most likely to interact with humans and will often seek out boats to surf along with. These playful creatures are incredibly intelligent and curious creatures and the dolphins occasionally come over to greet visitors.
Snorkelling and Diving
The Sultanate of Oman contains over 530 km2 of coral reefs spread across three bodies of water making it no surprise that its waters are a divers paradise. These coral reefs around Oman support over 100 species of coral and 579 species of reef fish, as well as one of the largest fisheries economies in the region. Diving and Snorkelling in Oman should be right there on top of your to-do list, especially Snorkelling or Diving at the Daymaniyat Islands, a Nature Reserve protected by the Omani government. The area has crystal clear waters with the warm water making for amazing visibility most of the time particularly during the winter months when the temperatures are cooler and less plankton are in the water. At times during the period of October to May the visibility can be up to 30 metres. The waters can range between twenty three degrees Celsius in winter and up to thirty two degrees in the summer.
The marine life all around Oman but particularly at Daymaniyat Island, is full of life and colours. There are many hard and soft corals that will stun you and the area is populated with colourful, tropical fish, Nudibranchs, reef fish, different types of turtles, Sharks including Zebra and Black Reef Shark, a variety of rays like Stingrays or Cowtail ray and much more marine life to explore. The dive sites at Ad Daymaniyat Islands are ideal for both newly certified divers as well as advanced divers, with a host of dive sites to choose from, ranging in depth up to thirty metres.
Snorkelling enthusiasts leisurely explore the stunning vistas of Oman underwater beauty while watching the marine life go about their usual
Sunset dhow cruise
Discover the magic of ancient Arabia when you explore the shoreline on a traditional handcrafted wooden Dhow, a one- or two-masted Arab sailing vessel, usually with lateen rigging which can have slanting, triangular sails. Hop aboard these in the evening for a Sunset Dhow cruise, where you will enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the coast of Muscat. The tours can vary in timing but are generally around two hours and include many exciting sights and experiences. Enjoy the picturesque beauty of Oman seashore over the pristine waters of Oman’s capital area with spectacular views of some landmarks. The Dhows can pass by Al Bustan Palace Hotel, the Sixteenth-century Al Mirani Fort, Jalali and Al Alam Palace amongst other sights. The most exciting part of this twilight trip is watching the sunset from the deck of traditional Omani Dhow.
Go Kayaking or jet-skiing
Water sport enthusiasts can visit one of Oman's popular beaches to experience these fun activities. Qurum beach is among the more popular beaches for watersports but there are other beaches and organisations that offer visitors the opportunity to take part in thrilling water adventures like zipping the churning waters on a jetski or calmly paddling through the peaceful seas on a kayak in the Arabian Sea. Some may also be interested in night kayaking which is a completely different experience surrounded by the towering mountains backlit with city lights, the clear starry sky above and the rustling of the paddles and fishes in the distance and if you're lucky you may be fortunate enough to catch the water glow with bioluminescence in the dark.
Deep-sea and game fishing
There are a range of options for those who are interested in deep sea or game fishing also with tours being arranged for the same. Southern Oman, in particular, has one of the most sensational fishing you’ll experience not only in the number and variety of fish but their sheer size also is phenomenal. The waters around the Al-Hallaniyah Islands in Southern Oman are possibly the best spot on the globe to catch a 50kg plus Geet, with massive beasts tipping the scales at 70kgs.
So when are you headed out to try these?