Oman’s beaches are one of its great attractions, and they are prized by both water sports enthusiasts and those who just enjoy plunging into the depths of the sea. We need to remember that Oman’s coastline measures around 1,700 kilometres, and therefore offers great potential in terms of beaches. They can stretch for kilometres, and have clear, turquoise waters — aside from that, however, they are not all the same, or even similar. There are rocky coves, bays, islands, fjords… yes, you read that correctly. There really are fjords. In fact, Oman is known as the Arab Norway thanks to its fascinating fjords where great stretches of water bathe desert mountains. Every beach is different, and so you can enjoy a great variety of scenery during your trip to the coast of Oman. We’re going to recommend the most remarkable beaches, the most well known, and those popular with travellers who come to the country to engage in water sports. Many of Oman’s beaches are empty and unspoilt.
The natural context of Oman and the sea
To mention Oman is to conjure up images of this exotic country’s desert and mountains, but it is also inextricably linked to the sea. Oman is surrounded by the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea — although the areas of Bander Khayran (near Muscat) and Mirbat (in the south), are very popular destinations with divers as they have the best diving centres in the country. It is worth knowing that between June and October, large numbers of sea turtles gather on Oman’s beaches to lay their eggs on the sand, although the best place to see these animals is at the Ras al Jinz Turtle Reserve.
Muscat’s beaches
Muscat, Oman’s capital city, has lovely beaches that are both frequented and loved by visitors. One of the most popular is Al Bustan, a beach of white sand. It is divided into two zones, and flanked by mountains that reach almost into the sea. Also in Muscat is the urban beach of Alqurm (Oman Beach), which stretches for 4 kilometres and is surrounded by elegant palm trees. Around the beach, there are restaurants, shopping centres, and charming shops.
Dhofar’s beaches
In the south-west of Oman, very close to the city of Salalah, there is a series of very beautiful beaches around which lie several lagoons packed with flamingos and with caves which you can access, albeit with some difficulty. These beaches have golden sands and transparent waters. They are made even more exotic by the weeping coconut palms and the rocks that surround them.
Duqm beach
This is an unspoilt and breathtakingly beautiful beach with turquoise waters and golden sand. It is just over over 15 kilometres from Wilayat al Duqm, in the central part of Oman’s coastline. This large beach has golden sands and translucent waters, and is one of Oman’s most famous beaches. You can go fishing here.
Ras Al Hadd beach
Bounded by the Al Hajar mountains, this attractive sandy beach stretches for no less than 12 kilometres. It is also a reserve for sea turtles, which arrive here (particularly to the Ras Al Jinz area in Wilayt Ras al Hadd) to lay their eggs. The beach is divided into two areas: the northern part, with free access, and the eastern area, which is restricted in order to protect the turtles.
Al Sawadi beach
Located about 70 kilometres from Muscat, this beach is in Barka, and has the distinction of being dotted with pretty little rocky islands. It is also known as ‘Sea Shell’. It is one of the most popular destinations with divers, due to its fabulous sea bed.
Other unspoilt beaches to visit
There are many other beaches to explore in Oman, some of them completely unspoilt, such as the solitary Al Mughsayl in the south of the country, about 40 kilometres from Salalah. It is 7 kilometres long, has golden sands, and forms part of an attractive landscape among hills and rocky elevations that sometimes ‘spit’ water upwards. Also of interest is the private beach of Al Jissah, located in the north-eastern bay of Oman, a short distance from Muscat. And if you have the opportunity, tour ‘the Norway of Arabia’ on the Musandam peninsula where you will find fjords among the desert mountains, but you will need to set aside at least two days, as access is not easy.
