Barcelo Mussanah

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

Local taxis can easily be arranged from any of the resorts by your hotel reception to any of the main areas in Muscat.

Climate

Temperatures remain high throughout the year.  The coastal areas have a hot and humid season from May to September (average 32-40°C). The humidity during the hottest months can affect air visibility. From October to April air temperatures are 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 sit around 22°C, with some thermoclines. Over the summer, temperatures can rise to 26°C with some colder currents. A hood is recommended in the winter months and a 5mm wetsuit all year round.

A full suit is recommended due to the small stinging hydroids prevalent in the Indian and Arabian ocean. Although unlikely to cause any damage, it makes the dives more comfortable should there be anything in the water.

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

Muscat and Mirbat/Salalah offer something for every level of diver and both are excellent options as places to learn to dive.

Muscat: Visibility is in a range between 10 and 20 metres. Reduced visibility in Muscat is caused by plankton blooms, which attract greater numbers of fish and marine mammals. Sightings of Mantas and other pelagic plankton feeders more frequent than the Red Sea because of this.

Mirbat/Salalah: Water in Salalah is typically more blue and slightly clearer, having more in common with its neighbours further south than the Arabian Sea. Average visibility 10–20 metres.

Time

Oman is +4 hours ahead of GMT.

Currency

The Omani Rial

United Arab Emirates Dirhams

Sterling and US Dollars are also widely accepted. We recommend taking some money in cash. ATMs are available in Dubai airport and in Khasab town. Major cards are accepted at all hotels.

Traveller's cheques can be cashed in Oman, but banks and exchange offices do tend to charge a high exchange rate.

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

Other activities include desert safaris, hiking, exotic bird watching, historical interest forn the Frankincense route and rock climbing. 

If flying with Emirates, stopovers in Dubai are available either your outbound or inbound flight.

Flight Information

Into Muscat & Salalah: Flights with Oman Air and British Airways 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).

Flight Duration: Approx. 7 - 8.5 hours

Departure tax: N/A

Muscat is a great base from which to explore Oman and offers a variety of diving opportunities both out of the city itself, and from the resorts which are located further down the coast to the south of the capital, stretching as far as Jebel Sifah. The diving here is characteristic of Omani waters: plankton-rich, which attracts large fish stocks and pelagics, but means visibility is usually around 10 metres. Stunning coral-covered walls and a general lack of current means plenty of time to spot marine life including lots of turtles, rays, various shark species and the occasional whale shark.

The Daymaniyat Islands

The Daymaniyat Islands helped place Oman on the world dive map. This string of offshore islands north of Muscat has been placed under the protection of UNESCO and provides divers with pristine coral gardens, walls, leopard sharks and abundant fish life. The best diving conditions are found in the area from April to October due to the wind direction and better clarity in the water, plus, June to September are the best months to have the chance to encounter whale sharks.  Water temperature varies due to the thermoclines by drops and rises of +/- 8 centigrade from surface to depth.

Fahal Islands

The Fahal Islands, which are situated north of Muscat are around 40 minutes by boat from Bandar Al Rhowda marina.  The reefs offer some of the most beautiful reefs and abundant diverse coral coverage to be found in Oman. Of the 39 genera of corals that have been found in the Muscat area, almost all occur at Fahal Island, on three nearby rock pinnacles which range in depth from 17 to 35m. 

There are two small wrecks, which draw a large amount of marine life, including the occasional black tip reef shark, various rays and turtles.

Bandar Khairan

Bandar Khairan is an area of outstanding beauty, boasting rocky outcrops, deserted beaches and small islands such as Ras Abu Dawud that are only accessible by boat. The underwater scenery is similarly dramatic with picturesque walls and reefs festooned with healthy finger and fan corals in purples and green, teeming with marine life. The shallow, sheltered dives of Bandar Jissa, which are great to dive in all conditions, afford lovely, simple night diving experiences. Bhandar Khairan is an area where turtles breed so turtles can be seen on nearly every dive.

Al Munassir Wreck

In 2003 the Al Munassir, a 3000 tonne vessel, was sunk at Bandar Khairan and is beginning to develop into a beautiful artificial reef dive. Although relatively new, this wreck is already smothered in corals and home to plenty of marine life. Easily accessible, the Al Munassir lies at 26 metres with her top at just 8m.

Ras Abu Daud

Exclusively visited by divers heading out from Jebel Sifah, this site features a rugged topography with colourful corals and nudibranch plus of large shoals of pelagic fish species. In addition it's home to the Mimosa wreck, lying in just 14 metres of water.

Twin centre & tours

Muscat and Jebel Sifah are perfect bases to extend your holiday time to include local sightseeing, desert adventures or a even a twin-centre visit to Mirbat in Oman's south (late October to early May only).

Dive Packs

Options available include 3, 4, 5 and 6 days boat diving packages (two guided dives per day). Please discuss your requirements with the Regaldive team, who will prepare a quotation suited to your needs.

Extras in Resort

• Snorkelling trip
• Dive equipment rental: Full equipment is available to hire, including BCDs, regulators, wetsuits, dive computers & torch

Dive courses

A range of diving courses is available at all these dive centres for those looking to learn to dive. Please enquire for details.

Visas

Entry requirements vary from country to country, and it’s important to check the latest visa information well before you travel. Some destinations may allow visa-free entry for a limited period, while others require an eVisa or a visa obtained in advance. To ensure you have the correct documentation for your trip, we recommend checking the official advice from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) or contacting the relevant country’s embassy or consulate. Other nationalities should check with their own consulate/embassy.

Passports

Before you travel, make sure your passport is valid for the full duration of your trip and meets the entry requirements of your destination. Many countries require at least six months’ validity beyond your planned return date, while others may have different rules. For the most reliable and up-to-date information, visit the UK Government’s passport guidance or the official travel advice pages for your destination. Other nationalities should check with their own consulate/embassy.

If you’re planning to travel to or via an EU country (with certain exceptions) your UK passport must meet two key requirements, it must be less than 10 years old on the day you enter the country and it must be valid for at least three months after your planned departure date.

Vaccinations & Health Advice

Health and vaccination requirements differ depending on where you're travelling. Some destinations may require proof of specific vaccinations or recommend certain precautions to protect your wellbeing.

We’re not qualified to provide you with specific advice on vaccinations and strongly recommend that you contact your healthcare professional before you travel to discuss the inoculations you may need to consider.

For trusted guidance on health and vaccination advice, refer to the NHS Travel Vaccination Advice, Masta Travel Health or Travel Health Pro websites.