6 Of The Best Wildlife - Watching Hotspots In Oman

Have you hiked along a shady wadi or camped out among our dunes? Have you discovered our secret beaches and islands?

Pack your swimwear, boots and binoculars, and prepare to be amazed.

You have heard of our cities, mosques and souqs but did you know Oman's nature reserves and wildlife sanctuaries totalling almost 30,000 km2? The sheer diversity of our landscapes will astonish and inspire you.

In this article we will show you 6 of the best wildlife - watching hotspots in Oman.

1. Best for dolphin: Khasab.

Take a dhow cruise through the ruggedly scenic, fjord-like khors of northern Musandam, where humpback dolphins are commonly seen at play.

Flickr: Tom Olliver (via: Flickr)

2. Best for turtles: Ras al Jinz.

Visit Sharqiya's turtle reserve on a summer's night, and watch in amazement as female turtles haul themselves up the sands to dig their nests.

3. Best for whales: Mirbat.

This picturesque southern town has a small fort looking out to sea. If you are on a sailing trip, you may see humpback whales in the waters nearby.

4. Best for tropical fish: Damaniyat Islands.

Dive The Aquarium, as the islands' best scuba site is known, to see flitting fish, dazzling nudibranchs and delicate seahorses.

5. Best for birds: Masirah Island.

Well over 300 species including kingfishers, plovers, terns and flamingos have been counted on Masirah's wetlands and mudflats.

6. Best for desert mammals: Wusta.

This arid region is home to endangered Arabian oryx, a striking - looking gazelle, plus Nubian ibex, desert foxes, sand cats and caracals.

Our natural heritage is extraordinarily precious. If you love nature, our landscapes will beckon you on at every turn. 

Which spot would you choose? What would it be your best advice for a wildlife - watcher?

Please, take a moment to leave your comment below! 

  Beauty has an address ~ Oman   

You Need To See These Magical Coastlines in Oman

Where are the Oman's greatest coastlines? Do you love to spend time by the shore?

With is long, quiet beaches, tropical bays in the shade of palm trees, towering cliffs that drop into the ocean and 3,165 kilometres of coast, Oman is the ideal destination for anyone who loves to spend time by the shore.

From Muscat, the coast is sandy, with a calm sea and long stretches of beach boasting a wealth of facilities and water sports opportunities. To the north, Musandam Peninsula is famous for its dramatic fjords plunging into the sea to create spectacular inlets and coves. To the south, the Salalah region is full of banana plantations and tropical beaches with turquoise water and palm trees bordering the golden sands. 

The Oman Sea and Arabian Sea host a huge variety of animal species such as turtles, whales and dolphins, while their depths are home to coral reefs, long stretches of which are still intact. 

In this article we will show you what traveller can expect from the Omani Coast

Enjoy the coast in Muscat 

The vibrant capital city of Muscat is blessed with many beaches and a calm sea suitable for year-round swimming. A large number of outstanding tourist facilities makes it an ideal base for visitors who want to combine relaxation by the sea with exploration of the country’s inland regions.

The most popular public beach is Qurum, just a short distance from the city centre.

Bandar Khayran, a bay that is a popular snorkelling spot .

A trip to the Dimaniyat Islands Nature Reserve is another must-do experience, particularly for diving enthusiasts.

Wadi Shab and Wadi Tiwi along the coast of Sur, also enticing snorkelers and divers.

Appreciate the picturesque seaside of Sur and Ras Al Hadd 

Local fishing boats, souks and museums, is a great base for exploring Oman’s rich maritime history.

Visit some of the dhow shipyards in Sur to marvel at the craftsmanship and reflect on modern innovation and development.

www.bradtguides.com

Adore Salalah and Dhofar 

A completely different side to Oman can be found in the far south of the country. Gorgeous sandy bays lie between crystal-clear water and lush green palm groves. 

In the town of Salalah you can see tropical fruit plantations and stalls loaded with coconuts, bananas and mangos. It is the perfect place to sit back and relax.

Admire Musandam 

The best way to appreciate the rugged, fjord-like terrain of the Musandam Peninsula is to view it from the sea. 

In Khasab, half- or full-day trips include dolphin watching, snorkelling and kayaking can be organised on a traditional Omani dhow. 

These are only part of the magnificent coastline of Oman. Its difficult to capture their splendour through images, you must go there to see them. 

The serene environment and the gravel beach is something that one should be looking for. Watching sunset in some of these coastlines would be one of the most peaceful moments of your life.

What are your favourite beaches location in Oman? Would you add any of them on your holiday bucket list?

Please, take a moment to leave your comment below! 

Beauty has an address ~ Oman   

This Is How Your Next Kite Boarding Destination Looks Like

What’s your favourite kite boarding destination? What's going to be your next one?

 

Although relatively new, the Sultanate of Oman have developed fast as a kite boarding destination.

What makes Oman an amazing spot for kite boarding?


1. Stable and consistent wind.

Daily wind above 20 knots, 28 degrees air, all kind of spots within a short drive – shallow lagoon (8 sq-km) and waves. From May to September, the wind statics are truly remarkable on the island of Masirah.

2. Unspoilt natural environment

It's not uncommon to see flamingos and loggerhead sea turtles side by side in the unspoilt habitat.

3. Very few people kitting on the beaches

The island of Masirah it the south-east of the country is a haven of calm with a gentle Indian Ocean sea breeze blowing through it.

4. Great kite boarding & kite surfing lessons

You can learn kite boarding in a very short time and will be amazed by how fast you will love it. With kiteboarding-oman proved and tested schooling system you will get to know your new favourite sport fast and safely. 

5. Superb instruction, equipment, and service

Training is available at the centre and equipment can be hired by experienced kite surfers. There is another branch of the school on Sawadi beach which is an hour north of Muscat.

6. You won't need to walk when you can fly

Kite surfing harnesses the power of the wind to propel a rider across the water on a small surfboard or a kite board. 

7. Stunning travel experience

The island of Masirah is five - hours drive from Muscat and it has a kite surfing centre that is part of the VDWS Water Sport Association. After your holiday you could travel back along the coastline of Oman. This will provide you an even more stunning travel experience.

Would you consider Oman as your next kite boarding destination? Why does kite boarding makes you happy? 

“There’s a feeling of freedom, exhilaration, and oneness with nature that comes from kiting”

                       Richard Branson

Please, take a moment to leave your comment below! 

Beauty has an address ~ Oman

13 Spectacular Places You Must Visit In Oman

Why is Oman called the land of scenic beauty? What are some recommended places to visit and activities to do while in Oman?

"As-salaamu alaykum", and welcome to the enchanting Sultanate of Oman. Safe and inviting, Oman will hypnotise you with its fragrant ancient souks, mesmerise with dramatic landscapes and leave you spell bound with its stories. Home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Oman is steeped in history and has inspired some of literature’s most famous tales. 

In this article we will show you why Oman is called the land of scenic beauty. You will discover some recommended places to visit and activities to do while in Oman.

1. Royal Opera House

Royal Opera House, Muscat (iwillbehomesoon/500px)

2. Forts and Castles

Nakhal Fort (beautyeye/flickr)

3. Muthra

Mutrah (Krishna Kumar/flickr)

4. Scuba diving

(Thierry Rouchon/flickr

5. Al Ayn Village, Jabel Al Akhdar

Al Ayn Village, Jabel Al Akhdar (internationaltravllermag.com)

6. Caving

Ash Sharqiyah (pierrehaut/flickr)

7. Mountain Goat

Mountain Goat (Krishna Kumar/flickr)

8. Musandam

Musandam (panoramas/flickr)

9. Deserts

(oman-conference.squ.edu.om)

10. Salalah

Salalah (saf eins/flickr)

11. Terraces of rose bushes in Jabal Akhdar

Terraces of rose bushes in Jabal Akhdar that thrive in spring/summer (timesofoman.com)

12. Wadi Bani 

Wadi Bani Khalid (andries3/flickr)

13. Wadi Darbat, Salalah

Wadi Darbat, Salalah (wajahatmahmood/flickr)

For anyone who has ever travelled to Oman, what was your favourite thing that you saw, and why? What was the most beautiful, incredible sight you saw while there? 

Please, take a moment to leave your comment below! 

Beauty has an address ~ Oman

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.