Salalah & Mirbat

Situated in the southern area of Oman's Dhofar region, the unspoilt coastline, stretching as far as the eye can see, offers unspoilt sheltered bays to explore in an area steeped in history and heritage including an important role in the Frankincense route.  Set against the stunning backdrop of deserted beaches and the high Jebel Al Qara rising steeply out of the Dhofar mountain chain, this area offers a level of excitement and adventure hard to find in other destinations so close to home. Around Salalah itself, a surprising level of greenery can be found, with date palms, papaya and banana trees providing a healthy local income.

Shallow dive sites accessed by 4 wheel drive and fast boat extend from Salalah to Mirbat along a 40 km stretch of the coast.  Marine life is typically Indo-Pacific offering a variety of macro life, brain and table corals and schooling fish, having more in common with its far southern neighbours than the Arabian Sea. The water's colour is more blue and visibility generally higher than the dive sites located around the Muscat and Musandam regions, offering a great contrast in marine conditions if twinned with a stay in Muscat or Musandam.

Due to local prevailing conditions, these dive sites are only open to divers seasonally from October to May. It remains a beautiful area to visit outside of this time, but you are not guaranteed to be able to dive every day though the dive centres remain operational.  From May, the northern edge the monsoon creates a phenomenon called the 'khareef', bringing in moisture rich winds turning the beautifully barren desert plateaux and gullies verdant green.

Mirbat & Salalah Dive sites

Extra Divers run an excellent dive operation from two bases; one based at the Mirbat Marriot set on a remote stretch of coastline, and the other at the Salalah Crowne Plaza, close to Salalah town itself.  The location of the majority of the dive sites means clients are best based at the Mirbat Marriot resort, where sites are accessed from the shore by jeep, or by Extra Divers’ fast dive boats. Many of the potential sites accessed by boat are yet to be discovered, offering something for the more adventurous experienced diver, as most diving has been conducted from the shore until this point.

Mirbat Easy House Reef

At just 9 metres depth, the small house reef off the shore of the hotel provides a fantastic acclimatisation dive, great third dive option, the perfect training fun dive and an easy place to practise those important photography skills with a long bottom time.

Unspoilt White Beach Coves - Flamingo Bay, Hoon’s Bay, Eagle Bay and Chinese Wreck

Providing easy shore entrance for experienced and newly qualified divers alike, the unending coastline boasts many small bays. More than 15 shore dive sites have so far been found to provide a worthy exploration underwater, with more to come.  With beautiful white sand at the entrance points leading to rocky outcrops covered in hard corals, the dives offers something for everybody. Photographers can enjoy a variety of macro life and colourful hard corals.

Marine Life

Nudibranchs, variety of Moray eels, rays, hard corals, cuttlefish, dolphins, 2 small wrecks, tuna, sharks, octopus, snapper, trevally, turtles and the odd Humpback whale!

Kelp!

If you choose to travel to southern Oman at the end of the Khareef period, chances are you will dive among small Kelp forests. Up to 10 metres in height, the giant algae flourish in the cool water thermoclines, providing safe harbour for thousands of juvenile fish.   They can be seen during the summer months, gradually dying out in the latter weeks of September and early October.

EXTRA DIVERS

Extra Divers run an excellent dive operation from two bases; one based at the Mirbat Marriot set on a remote stretch of coastline, and the other at the Salalah Crowne Plaza, close to Salalah town itself.

The location of the majority of the dive sites means clients are best based at the Mirbat Salalah Marriot Beach resort, where sites are accessed from the shore by jeep, or by Extra Divers’ fast dive boats. However, those wishing to have a slightly more independent stay can opt to stay in the Arabian Villas or Crowne Plaza in Salalah and can be transferred each day to shore sites between the 2 areas, or the dive boats based at the Marriot.

Many of the potential sites accessed by boat are yet to be discovered, offering something for the more adventurous experienced diver, as most diving has been conducted from the shore until this point. 

EXTRA DIVERS MIRBAT

Extra Divers have a growing reputation in Oman, and now add its newly opened dive centre in Mirbat to its more long-standing dive bases in Salalah, Muscat and Musandam.  An SSI accredited centre, offering courses, recreational diving and snorkelling from the shore and by boat, this centre offers access to plenty of new and established dive sites in an area still awaiting plenty of discovery!

Dive boats, shore diving and house reef

The centre offers diving from a fast, rigid hulled ‘wet’ boat that has some sun cover.  Shore diving is from the house reef, or by 4 wheel drive with a pick-up vehicle for kit and tanks, all ably managed by Caren Van Lente and Thorsten Sandmann.

Diving is offered as 2 morning dives, with snacks and water in between, returning lunchtime or early afternoon depending on the location of the site.  Longer day trips and third dives may be offered locally if diver numbers allow on the day.

A small house reef at 9 metres depth offers a great little dive option for easy acclimatisation dives, third dives, learner fun dives and photographers.

NB: No credit cards accepted at present, only Euros or Omani Riyal cash.

Dive Packs

Incl. 2 unguided morning boat / jeep dives per day, air tanks & weights. Divers with less than 25 logged dives in their log books require a guide, or those requesting a guide, pay the supplement locally (2 0MR / USD 6 per person per dive). All dive pack prices are valid for new bookings to 30.04.11

Dive Courses

* Incl. equipment, log book and dive permit.  ** Incl. air tanks & weights.  Prices valid for new bookings to 30.04.11

Additional costs, paid locally: 

• SSI course manual:  From OMR 15
• Certification fee:  OMR 22

Extras in Resort

• Local marine tax:  OMR 3/day
• Snorkel excursions:  OMR 20 (min. 3 persons to run)

Equipment rental per day:

• Full kit incl. computer:  OMR 15
• Regulator:  OMR 3
• BCD:  OMR 3
• Wetsuit:  OMR 3
• Mask, snorkel & fins:  OMR 3
• Dive torch:  OMR 3
• Computer:  OMR 3
• Private Guide:  OMR 15/dive
• 12l Aluminium tanks with DIN & Int. fittings
• Nitrox fills and 15l tanks - Not available at present

The Sultanate of Oman is the gateway to the Arabian Gulf and was for thousands of years the focus of the frankincense trade route. An ancient nation of maritime traders Oman’s empire at one point extended down the East African mainland as far as Zanzibar. Strategically situated between India and Europe, the influence of Oman’s historical trading partners has left its mark on the population, which is both tolerant and cosmopolitan. Arabic is the official language, although English is widely spoken in some areas.

Muscat features a historical waterfront and small but interesting souk area, located near the Royal Palace. Other activities include desert safaris, exotic bird watching and rock climbing which may be arranged locally.  For a more modern look at Omani way of life, visit one of the larger shopping malls the Middle East is well known for, on the outskirts of northern Muscat where the locals hang out over strong cups of coffee.

Getting Around

A small number of taxis are available in Salalah and local 4 wheel drive hire is available. You may organise excursions locally including mountain trips, cycling and hiking.

Climate

Air temperatures at sea level remain fairly high throughout the year, from high 20's to high 30's.

The coastal areas have a hot and humid season from May to September (average 32-38 degrees C).

The southern coast of Salalah & Mirbat experiences the 'Khareef' from around June to early October, catching the northern edge of the monsoon winds which turns a large area in the locality completely green.

From October to April air temperatures are very pleasant during the day and cool at night.

The annual rainfall in most parts of Oman rarely exceeds 125mm and generally the weather is good.

Water Temperature

From November to April average water temperatures vary between 22 degrees centigrade and 26 degrees centigrade, with some thermoclines.

Regaldive recommend divers use a 3mm full wetsuit and a 5mm full wetsuit in the winter months. The full suit is recommended due to the small stinging hydroids prevalent in the Indian and Arabian ocean. Although unlikely to cause any damage, it just makes the dives more comfortable should there be anything in the water and provides protection for the legs and knees  during shore dive entries and exits.

A unique feature of Oman’s diving are the number of endemic corals that have learnt to survive in temperatures above their normal temperature range.

Currents and Visibility

Salalah and Mirbat offers something for every level of diver and is an excellent place to learn to dive, with most sites close to shore not experiencing any strong currents.

Visibility is in a range between 15 to 35 metres, with more blue water in comparison to Oman's more northerly destinations. Lower visibility is caused by plankton blooms, which attract greater numbers of fish and marine mammals.

Time

Oman is +4 hours ahead of GMT.

Currency

The Omani Rial. £1 = 0.65 Rials (approx.)

United Arab Emirates Dirhams £1 = 7 AED (approx.)

Euros and US Dollars are also widely acepted. We recommend taking some money in cash. ATMs are available in Muscat Airport, Salalah Town and there is an exchange facility in most hotels (though exchange rates are not generally competitive).

Travellers cheques can be cashed in Oman, but please check local banking hours as they tend to be open when you are diving.

Tipping

Although entirely voluntary, tipping is a recognised part of life in this region of the world. Some local staff will look to travellers for personal recognition of the services offered.

If you do not have local notes in small denominations, use foreign USD notes.

Activities

Excursions can be arranged locally for mountains trips, hiking and cycling, or why not hire a 4 wheel drive to discover the coastal area of Muqsahl to the west?

Oman Factbox

Flight Information

Into Muscat & Salalah: Flights with Oman Air direct into Muscat from London Heathrow. Connecting flights to Salalah from Muscat.

Into Dubai: Flights with Emirates into Dubai non-stop from London Gatwick, Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow and Newcastle (conditions may apply on certain regional departures).

Flights with Emirates via Dubai from London Gatwick, Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow and Newcastle (conditions may apply on certain regional departures) - Supplement will apply.

Flight Duration: Approx. 7  - 8.5 hours

Departure tax: n/a

Passports

Please always check your own entry requirements regardless of your nationality. Your passport should always have at least 6 months validity on date of return from travel.  Always check for last minute chances in entry requirements and other nationalities should check with their consular office.

Visas

Travelling into Muscat or Salalah: British passport holders may purchase an Oman tourist visa for 6 OMR.

Travelling into Dubai: On arrival in Dubai, UAE, British passport holders will be issued with a tourist visa free of charge.

On arrival at the Oman border British passport holders may purchase an Oman tourist visa for 6 OMR. You also pay 20 AED exit border fee.

Clients departing from Al Dibba may not need an Omani visa, however please go prepared in case of change of regulation.

Twin centres between Musandam, Muscat and Salalah: Route dependant if you are travelling by land, sea or air.

Vaccinations

Vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.  For the most up to date advice please consult your travel clinic or GP.  Further information regarding vaccinations for travel to this country can be found at www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk and from your local healthcare provider.  There are no compulsory vaccinations for travel to Oman, but we recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis A and polio.

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