Adventure travel in Oman: Sailing

Sailors are well catered for in Oman: little surprise, as the country’s ancient capital Sohar was the birthplace of Sinbad the Sailor. West of Muscat, the Millennium Resort Mussanah (www.millenniumhotels.com) offers a private 54-berth marina managed by reputable local firm Oman Sail (www.omansail.com). Boat rentals, sailing instruction and yacht charter are all available. At the nearby Wave (www.thewavemuscat.com), Almouj Marina is home to a 300-berth port. From here It is a short sail to the Dimaniyat Islands nature reserve. Oman Charter (www.omancharter.com) organises bespoke sailing holidays, island-hopping day trips and – uniquely for the region – bareboat yacht charter.

There’s plenty of serious sailing for spectators to enjoy too. The Extreme Sailing Series (www.extremesailingseries.com) – a kind of Formula 1 on the open sea – kicks off its annual yearlong competition, which takes place in eight locations around the globe, from Muscat each February. And every November, around three-dozen sailing yachts compete in the Dubai to Muscat Race (www.muscatregatta.com), navigating the Straits of Hormuz en route.

Discover more about Oman: www.omantourism.gov.om

Bringing the Arabian Sea to life

Oman’s waters are brought to life by coral, crabs and colourful fish bringing the Arabian Sea to life. Whether it’s deep-sea diving or paddling pool depths, there is an underwater world waiting to be explored that can be appreciated from both above and below the water.

In sharp contrast to the arid environment that lies above, there is a multicoloured scene laid out below. The intricate structures of the coral reefs are expertly manoeuvred by Arabian angelfish, lion fish and silver fusilier fish, to name just a few of the 900 species that swim amongst the waters. 

Musandam on its own has more than 25 dive sites and in particular may attract some experienced divers who are in search of some invigorating drift diving. As commercial fishing is not allowed in this area of water, the volume of marine life is boosted substantially and it’s not unusual for divers to encounter most turtle species and a number of shark species. Favourite snorkel and dive spots include the Dimaniyat Islands nature reserve (a UNESCO world heritage site), Bandar Khayran and Fahal Island.

As the saying goes ‘there’s bigger fish to fry’ and in Oman’s case around a quarter of the world’s 88 species of cetaceans have been spotted in the coastal waters off Oman. Large groups of dolphin shoals are frequent visitors to the shores of both Muscat and Musandam and in a stunning display a group of over 2000 long-beaked common dolphins have been seen churning the surface of the water as they travel. Bryde’s whales are the most common whale species as are a group of Arabian Humpback Whales - the only group in the world that doesn’t migrate and can often be spotted off the coast of Salalah. A few lucky ones have even made sightings of Sperm whales!

The waters are also home to many different species of turtles, thousands migrate annually to lay their eggs on the shores of Oman. The arduous work of digging holes in the sand to bury their eggs lays the foundations to one of the most watched and loved moments of the year, for conservationists and tourists particularly, as the eggs hatch and baby turtles begin their dangerous journey to the waters edge. The Masirah is the largest nesting ground for the Loggerhead turtles in the world and Omani culture proudly protects this area with a week dedicated to conservation-focused activities. 

The rich waters of Oman are an oasis of calm overlaying an unimaginable underwater world. [ CLICK TO TWEET ] The outstanding preservation and cultivation of the marine life creates every diver’s dream. But there is only one way to truly find out for yourself, take to the waters and see!

Beauty Has An Address – Oman.

Top 7 Ultimate Ideas in Oman: Travelling With Kids

1. Wild camping and dune-exploring in Oman’s desert interior

2. Top five Omani campsites with kids

3. Oman’s fairy castle forts from Nizwa to Khasab

4. GPS geocaching in Oman

5. Hunting down hidden wadis and secret caves

6. Family travel through the gentle monsoon season

7. Wildlife spotting: the Arabian Oryx Sanctuary, turtles nesting at Ras Al-Jinz, scouting out dolphins and whales, etc.

Discover more about Oman: www.omantourism.gov.om

Top 5 New Openings in Oman: Places To Visit

In Muscat, Oman’s first oceanarium and aquarium are currently under development alongside the city’s cruise terminal. Permanent exhibitions will showcase coral reefs, tropical fish native to the Arabian Sea and sharks. Sections will also be dedicated to the amphibians, reptiles and birds that populate the country’s tropical coastlines.

Muscat's Natural History Museum is currently undergoing extensive renovation and expansion. The museum houses fossil remains dating from an incredible 260 million years ago, as well as prehistoric animal teeth and whale skeletons.

Muscat’s Ghalyas Museum of Modern Art will be opening six new areas: this additional exhibition space will allow the museum to exhibit pieces from their permanent collection that have never been on show to the general public.

A new, 13,000m2 National Museum is due to be completed in Old Muscat. Opposite the Al Alam Palace, its displays will cover Omani history from prehistoric times to the present day. A twisting helical staircase will connect the museum's ground-floor halls and first-floor historical galleries, and will be lined with exhibits detailing more than 10,000 years of rich archaeological history. An incredible 1,672 artefacts have been restored over the past two years in preparation for the museum’s opening. 

The Oman Botanic Garden, a new world-class development to celebrate, research, cherish and protect the unique plants, environment and botanical heritage of Oman is located just outside Muscat and is a long-term project.
The 420ha project is currently under construction; when complete it will be the largest botanic garden in the Arabian Peninsula. Visitors will experience the diverse habitats of Oman, investigate the orientation center, explore the site, discover traditional Omani skills at the craft village, learn at the field studies center, buy Omani plants at the plant shop and much more. To follow its development path see www.omanbotanicgarden.com.

Discover more about Oman: www.omantourism.gov.om

New Openings in Oman

Here’s a breakdown of new openings and events throughout the country, occurring from later this year through 2016.

And with plans for completion by 2016, the new Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC, www.omanconvention.com) is set to become a true architectural landmark for Oman. The eco-friendly complex will be one of the first constructions in the world to be certified by LEED, an internationally recognised green building program. The OCEC will overlook the surrounding wadi, a natural reserve for many of Oman’s exotic bird life. Indoors, it will feature a tiered auditorium seating 3,200 people, two ballrooms and more than 22,000 square metres of exhibition space – all perfectly suited to host large-scale conventions, exhibitions and business events.

A new national railway company is also being developed in Oman. This project is the largest within the country’s transport sector. It will connect Muscat, Duqm Port and Salalah, covering over 1,000km and will likely go on to link the country with other Gulf States such as Kuwait and Yemen. Passenger trains are projected as travelling at speeds of up to 200km/hr.

Airport Expansion: The new terminals at Muscat International Airport in their final phases will have some of the best in the world, first of its kind technology and systems in place. The airport which currently handles about six million passengers a year, will have the capacity for 12 million passengers when the terminal expansion is completed this year. The new terminal at the Salalah International Airport is designed for a capacity of six million passengers. It will be built in four stages, with the first stage envisaged for completion in 2014. Stage one will expand the airport's passenger capacity to one million passengers a year.

Discover more about Oman: www.omantourism.gov.om 

5 Fast Facts About Oman - O to V

Omanisation: The Omanisation program has been in operation since 1988, training Omani personnel to replace skilled expatriates. There is a fixed Omanisation ratio in various areas of the private sector as stipulated by the Ministry: transport, storage and communications 60% Omanisation; finance, insurance and real estate 45%; industry 35%; hotels and restaurants 30%; wholesale or retail trading 20% and contracting 15%.

Ramadan: Ramadan is the holy month of fasting during which Muslims abstain from eating, drinking and smoking during daylight hours. As a sign of respect, visitors are also required to refrain from publically indulging in these activities between sunrise and sunset. As of 2007, the Oman Government permits tourists staying at selected hotels to purchase and consume alcohol after sunset (from 7pm - 2am) in allocated restaurants. Most international hotels have been granted permission to serve alcohol during Ramadan, including Radisson SAS, Grand Hyatt, Shangri-la Barr Al Jissah Resorts & Spa, The Chedi, Inter-Continental Hotel and the Crowne Plaza.

Regions: Oman is divided into nine main regions – Muscat, the administrative and commercial capital, Al Batinah, Al Dhahirah, Al Dakhiliyah, Al Buraymi, Al Sharqiyah, AlWusta, Dhofar and Musandam. Each of the regions is then divided into smaller wilayats to assist in the administration process.

Religion: Islam is Oman’s official religion; other faiths are also respected.

Visas: Visitor visas are available at all air, land and sea arrival points for citizens of over 50 countries including European Union, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Japan. Visas on arrival for these countries cost RO 5 and are valid for ten days or R.O 20 which is valid for one month. Those countries not valid for a visa on arrival must obtain a visa before travel. For the latest information please go to www.omanairports.com. Further information can be obtained from the Oman Embassy. (Tel 020 722 50001)

Discover more about Oman: www.omantourism.gov.om

10 Fast Facts About Oman - E to L

Electricity: The electrical system is based on 220/240 AC volts with British-type plugs.

Facilities for the physically challenged: Most hotels and public places provide facilities and make special arrangements for physically challenged visitors.

Getting around: Oman has a modern network of roads and motorways. Several car-hire companies offer a range of vehicles, including four-wheel drives for visitors who are heading off-road. Taxis are the easiest way to get around Muscat. It is best if you agree on the fare beforehand, as taxis are not metered. Most hotels can arrange transport for guests, including limousines or bus services for larger groups. The world’s fastest diesel-powered passenger ferries, the Shinas and Hormuz catamarans (www.nfc.om), link Muscat directly with Oman’s northernmost peninsula, Musandam. They are the first of a fleet of five high-speed vessels that will improve access to more remote areas of Oman for residents and tourists alike.

One of the most popular ways to see Muscat is aboard one of the city’s new Big Bus Tours (www.bigbustours.com). Tourists and locals alike may explore the city on double-decker buses. The hop-on, hop-off tours stop at 12 Muscat landmarks, including the Royal Palaces, Muttrah Souk and the new Royal Opera House.

Getting there: Muscat International Airport is located 30km from Muscat city centre. It offers both international and domestic flights. Flying from Heathrow, award-winning national carrier Oman Air (www.omanair.com) offers daily, 7 hour, non-stop direct flights from London to Muscat. Oman Air is also the country’s domestic airline, offering 42 flights a week to Salalah in Dhofar, and daily flights to Musandam (Khasab Airport). Many other international airlines fly into Muscat, including British Airways (direct), Gulf Air via Bahrain, Etihad Airways via Abu Dhabi, Emirates Airlines via Dubai and Qatar Airways via Doha, as well as Kuwait Airways, Lufthansa and Swiss Air. Qatar Airways also fly’s to Salalah via Doha. 

Government: Oman is known formally as the Sultanate of Oman. The country is an absolute monarchy ruled by Sultan Qaboos bin Said, who ascended to power in 1970 and his appointed cabinet.

Health: While tap water is safe for drinking, most Omanis opt for locally bottled mineral water. Most hotels have medical help available and the country possesses a modern medical infrastructure in terms of private and government medical facilities.

Hotels: Oman currently offers over 12,792 rooms including many three, four, five and one six-star properties including leading hotel brands: Ritz-Carlton Al Bustan Palace, Shangri-la Barr Al Jissah, Grand Hyatt Muscat, Intercontinental Muscat, Crowne Plaza, The Chedi among others. This is set to increase to 19,415 by 2015.

Most recently the Juweira Boutique Hotel (www.juweirahotel.com) was designed by Egyptian architect Adel Mokhtar, this five-star resort is based at Salalah Beach. As well as more than 100 elegant guestrooms, the hotel boasts 21 luxury suites. All rooms and suites possess private sea-facing terraces. The Duqm City Hotel a 117 room business hotel equipped with comfortable rooms and business amenities opened its doors at the end of 2012 catering for business travellers seeking affordable and contemporary Omani hospitality along with the 4 Star, 200 room Duqm Crowne Plaza both ideally located from which to visit the Duqm Rock Gardens. A dozen eco-friendly luxury tents were added to Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve’s (www.rasaljinz-turtlereserve.com) accommodation options in early 2013. An 800-metre walkway links the spacious tents, located atop a picturesque hill, to the reserve’s Scientific and Visitor Centre.

Language: Arabic is the official language, but English is widely spoken.

Local Time: GMT + 4 hours

Location: The Sultanate of Oman is the third largest country in the Arabian Peninsula. The United Arab Emirates splits the country, with Oman’s northern Musandam Peninsula separated from the larger Omani mainland by approximately 100km. The warm waters of the Arabian Sea lap the country’s East Coast. 

Discover more about Oman: www.omantourism.gov.om

8 Fast Facts About Oman - A to C

Alcohol: Alcohol is served in licensed hotels, clubs, bars and international restaurants.

Awards: In May 2010 Khasab Fort, located in Musandam, was awarded a prestigious award for excellence at the Museums & Heritage Awards ceremony. In 2011, the country was awarded Business Destinations’ Best Destinations for Cultural Tourism in the Middle East 2011 Travel Awards. Muscat was coined Arab Tourism capital for 2012 by the Tourism Ministers of the Arab League Nations and named one of 2012’s top ten cities to visit by Lonely Planet. Condé Nast Traveller voted Oman one of 2013’s top holiday destinations to watch. The Guardian names Muscat DiveCentre as one of the top 100 holiday beach 2014. ABTA Magazine names Oman as one of the top 12 destinations to watch in 2014. In September 2014 Oman’s UK office won the Travel Bulletin Star Award as Star Middle East Tourist Board.

 

Business hours: Oman’s weekend begins on Friday afternoon and continues through Saturday, in line with the majority of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries: the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait. Government offices are closed the whole of Friday and Saturday. The Omani work week runs Sunday to Thursday. Banks, embassies and consulates are open from 8am to noon, Sunday to Thursday. Most shops and malls open from 9am to 1pm and 4pm to 9pm. During Ramadan, shops close later at night.

Climate: The coolest time to visit Oman is between October and April, with daytime temperatures between 25°C and 35°C and night time temperatures around 17°C to 19°C. The weather is hotter and more humid in summertime, which stretches from April to September. For year-round mild weather, head to the Southern Dhofar region, which also enjoy a refreshing monsoon season between June and September. Air-conditioning is the norm in vehicles and most buildings, including hotels, conference centres, exhibition halls and shopping malls.

Clothing: Lightweight summer clothing in cotton or blends is ideal most of the year. Sweaters or a light jacket may be needed for the cooler evenings. The dress code in Oman is comparatively relaxed, but legs and shoulders should be covered outside the hotels, where revealing and inappropriate clothing may be considered offensive

Currency: The rial (RO) is the Omani currency and is divided into 100 baisas. The rate of conversion is £1 = RO 0.65 or $1 = RO 0.39 as of August 2014. Banks and exchange bureaus are found throughout Muscat.

Credit cards: All major credit cards are accepted in major hotels, stores and larger shops. However, cash is primarily used in traditional souks, and bargaining power is increased with the ready availability of hard currency. ATM machines are available in some hotels, Muscat Airport, cities and larger towns throughout the country.

Customs: No customs duty is levied on personal effects brought into Oman. It is forbidden to import drugs and pornographic material. Duty free shops are available at Muscat International Airport on arrival and on departure. The shops sell a variety of products including alcohol and cigarettes.

Discover more about Oman: www.omantourism.gov.om