Outside normal working hours, or in the unlikely event we are unable to take your call, please leave a message on our answerphone and we will call you back as soon as possible.
For guests travelling with Regaldive requiring urgent assistance, please refer to your travel notes for relevant contact information.
Outside normal working hours, or in the unlikely event we are unable to take your call, please leave a message on our answerphone and we will call you back as soon as possible.
For guests travelling with Regaldive requiring urgent assistance, please refer to your travel notes for relevant contact information.
The Barcelo Mussanah Resort is a luxurious resort located in the South Batinah Region of Muscat, along the coastal beach of the Gulf of Oman, offering spacious and comfortable accommodation, a notable spa and a wide range of leisure facilities.
Located between Barka and Sohar, the resort is well placed to access the fantastic dive sites available in the northern reaches of Muscat and is 45 minutes’ drive from Muscat International Airport. Barcelo Mussanah will appeal to divers and visitors who are looking for a high standard of accommodation along with a wide range of facilities in a beach resort hotel.
The resort has been designed to provide exceptional comfort and service within a memorable blend of Arabian and Asian themes. The panoramic views over the resort's private 54 berth marina, the Gulf of Oman and the Hajar Mountains are a particular highlight.
ACCOMMODATION
A total of 234 well-appointed spacious guest rooms each offer views of the Hajar Mountains, Marina or Gulf of Oman. There are also 74 fully furnished, spacious serviced apartments, ranging from studios, to one and two bedroom duplexes. A limited number of wheelchair accessible rooms are available.
All rooms are fully air-conditioned and are en-suite. Rooms are equipped with flat screen TV & media hubs, personal safety deposit box, mini fridge (mini-bar on request basis), iron and ironing board, hairdryer, tea and coffee-making facilities and internet access.
OTHER FACILITIES
The resort has three restaurants, serving a range of local and international à la carte and buffet options and both formal and casual dining options, all with private terraces facing the sea. The Deck Bar offers cocktails, beverages and light snacks with live performance. A poolside bar serves refreshing drinks, or a bite to eat from morning until sunset and there is also a relaxing lounge area.
Leisure facilities include four swimming pools, an 18-hole mini-golf course, tennis courts, beach football and volleyball and the resort also operates children’s programmes and has a secure kids club on site. The Zayna Spa offers massage and relaxation treatments, while the Health & Fitness Club offers the latest equipment for fitness enthusiasts.
The 54-berth private marina provides sailing, snorkelling, dolphin watching and yacht charter options, as well as excursions.
LOCATION
Barcelo Mussanah is situated to the North of Muscat. The International Airport is 45 minutes’ drive away. SeaOman is located on site and offer boat diving, including daily trips to the Daymaniyat islands.
Dive info
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 10m. 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 26m 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).
The dive centres are located a distance from each other, so if you have a strong preference for one or the other this should be stated at the time of booking. It is more convenient for you to take the dive centre at your accommodation.
Euro Divers - Bandar Al Rowdha
Euro Divers is based at Marina Bandar Al Rowdha, Oman's premium marina near Al Bustian, Muscat. The marina has a fully licensed restaurant, bar and swimming pool.
The diving boats leave directly from the marina, taking 6 to 12 divers. Nitrox (32%) is offered for those already qualified at a small charge and a free refresher dive is offered at the Capital Area Yacht Club beach or Marina pool. Two dives are conducted in the morning, returning around 2pm, except for special trips.
Diving is usually at Bandar Khairan area in the south of Muscat, where there are lots of fantastic dive sites & you can see lots of beautiful marine life such as lovely reef fishes, morays, sting rays sometimes, lion fish, cuttlefishes & perhaps some turtles. There is a nice wreck called the Al Munassir which lies at 30 meters down where schools of fish can be found on the decks.
Sometimes, there are visits to the Fahal Islands, which are in the north part of Muscat. At least 2 times each week, trips are organised to the Daymaniyat Islands, which is a national park. A supplement of 8 OMR is charged and 3 dives are usually offered.
Repeat guests of Euro Divers can have one dive free of charge for every five days package purchased on presentation of their logbook with the Euro Divers stamp.
Dive Packs
Options available at Euro Divers include 3, 5 and 6 days boat diving packages (two boat dives per day). Please discuss your requirements with the Regaldive team, who will prepare a quotation suited to your needs.
EXTRAS IN RESORT
Prices listed below are an indication only, and subject to change.
Environmental tax: OMR 3 per person per day
Daymaniyat Islands: OMR 8 per trip
Nitrox 32%: OMR 3.5 per fill
Night Dive: OMR 10 (excludes dive torch)
Third dive: OMR 15
PADI Course manual: OMR 25
PADI Certification fee: OMR 25
Euro Divers logbook: OMR 2
Dolphin watching trip: OMR 16 per person
Dolphin watching / snorkelling trip: OMR 22 per person (equipment not included)
Extra Divers run the dive centre in Qantab, based in the marina at the impressive Shangri La hotel complex along the coast, south of Muscat. The dive centre can offer PADI, SSI and CMAS instruction and offers the chance to discover many spectacular and unspoiled dive sites.
Managed by a professional team, the dive centre provides quality training and instruction in several languages. Extra Divers has two dive boats just a few steps away from the dive centre, a shop, underwater camera rental and equipment rental, diving with 12l Aluminium tanks with DIN & Int. fittings, and nitrox facilities.
Extra Divers also offer night dives on request, payable locally.
Dive Packs
Options available include 3 and 5 days diving packages (2 unguided dives per day, shore or boat). Divers with less than 25 logged dives in their log books require a guide, or those requesting a guide, will need to pay a supplement locally. Please discuss your requirements with the Regaldive team, who will prepare a quotation suited to your needs.
EXTRAS IN RESORT
Prices listed below are an indication only, and subject to change.
Extra Divers operate the dive centre at the Sifawy Boutique Hotel in the luxurious Jebel Sifah Resort development. The dive centre can offer PADI, SSI and CMAS instruction and shares many dive sites in the Bandar Khairan area with its sister dive centre Extra Divers Qantab to the north. Boat diving is available from the marina on a two dives a day basis and the dive centre offers a shop, underwater camera rental and equipment rental, and diving with 12l Aluminium tanks with DIN & Int. fittings. Nitrox is available for suitably qualified divers.
Extra Divers also offer night dives on request, payable locally.
Dive Packs
Options available include 3 and 5 days diving packages (2 unguided dives per day, shore or boat). Divers with less than 25 logged dives in their log books require a guide, or those requesting a guide, will need to pay a supplement locally. Please discuss your requirements with the Regaldive team, who will prepare a quotation suited to your needs.
EXTRAS IN RESORT
Prices listed below are an indication only, and subject to change.
Local marine tax: OMR 4 per day
Snorkel excursions: OMR 20 (minimum of 2 persons)
Equipment rental - per day, payable locally:
Full kit incl. computer: OMR 15
Regulator: OMR 4
BCD: OMR 4
Wetsuit: OMR 4
Mask, snorkel & fins: OMR 5
Dive torch: OMR 4
Computer (compulsory): OMR 4
Guide: OMR 2.5 per dive compulsory with less than 25 dives
Seaoman dive (oman sail) - BARCELO mussaNah
SeaOman run the dive centre at the Barcelo Mussanah Resort. The dive centre offers PADI courses as well as boat diving, allowing divers to discover the many spectacular and unspoiled dive sites of the Daymaniyat islands.
Boat diving is offered to a range of dive sites. The proximity of the centre to the famous sites at the Daymaniyat islands make this an ideal base for exploring these sites. The Damaniyat islands’ large unspoiled reefs host a wealth of sea life unparalleled in the region. On average, the exotic waters around Oman offer a wonderful visibility of 20 to 30 metres.
Shallow coral reefs teem with around 1,300 - 1,500 different species; leatherback sea turtles paddle just beneath the surface, and you may even be lucky enough to observe the magnificent whale shark in season. Considered to be ‘the’ Damaniyat islands dive specialists, SeaOman's PADI certified instructors and divemasters have in-depth knowledge of each one of its 29 dive sites, ensuring that each trip into Oman’s underwater paradise feels like the adventure of a lifetime.
Day boats depart around 08.00 and return around 14.00 with travelling time to the Daymaniyat Islands around 1 hour. Diver’s with accessibility needs are catered for here.Nitrox is available.
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
Prices listed below are an indication only, and subject to change.
Snorkelling trip: OMR 30
Equipment rental - per day, payable locally:
Full kit including computer: OMR 15
Regulator: OMR 5
BCD: OMR 5
Wetsuit: OMR 5
Dive torch: OMR 4
Computer (compulsory): OMR 3
DIVE COURSES
A range of diving courses is available at all these dive centres for those looking to learn to dive.Please enquirefor details.
Resort info
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 to 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 meters.
Time
Oman is +4 hours ahead of GMT.
Currency
The Omani Rial £1 = 0.5 Rials
United Arab Emirates Dirhams £1 = 5 AED
Sterling and US Dollars are also widely acepted. We recommend taking some money in cash. ATMs are available in Dubai airport and in Khasab town. Major cards are accepted at all hotels.
Travellers 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.
Travel info
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
Passports & Visas
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 travel. Always check for last minute changes in entry requirements. Nationalities other than British citizens should check with their own consular office.
British passport holders can enter Oman for up to 14 days without a visa. If you wish to stay for longer than 14 day you can either apply for a visa online before departure or obtain one on arrival. For information can be found on the FCO website, Entry to Oman.
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.
Prices
The price panel above provides an indication of a lead-in price for your holiday, based on the cheapest time to travel. Prices shown are per person, and based on two persons sharing.
As flight prices vary from day to day, Regaldive will prepare a quotation for you based on current flight prices available. This ensures that you receive the most competitive price for your chosen travel dates. Flights from regional UK airports may be available, depending on your destination and date of travel.
Nb: Although departures are available from the beginning of April, diving conditions are more settled from the end of May onwards. For this reason we recommend diving trips from late Spring.
Please call 01353 659999 or e-mail Regaldive, using the link below, for a quotation.
Our Price Promise
At Regaldive we are committed to offering you the best possible value for money on all our diving holidays. That's why we offer you a price match promise. Learn more about our promise to you.
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Reviews
Have you stayed here? Why not share your experiences by adding your review?
"The transfers and ground arrangements were great and friendly. The accommodation was really nice, though it is isolated and the food was great.
The Dive Centre Staff and Crew were a really good bunch and they were very accommodating. The dive sites were amazing!
A favourite memory from the holiday was helping clear two massive drift nets off the reef.
Thanks for a Great Holiday!"
Adam Whitehouse
- UK
9
Guest rating: 9/10(1 vote)
Great diving
"Spent 4 days here in October 2015. 3 days diving with 6 dives. Whale sharks showed up on each day. Whale sharks are viewed en-route to the dive sites with the chance to dive or snorkel along side them. Dive sites on my trip included Junn Wall, Little Junn, Moustrap, Seera Island, The Aquarium and Garden of Eden. Visibility was 20+ meters every day but it can vary quite a bit. Lots of reef fish, morays, puffers, hawksbill turtles, squid, cuttlefish, lemon sharks, snappers, groupers, Picasso triggers and lot of macro life and corals. Water temperature was 25C to 27C.
Hotel is very chilled and dive centre is part of the same complex. Food is excellent and alcohol is readily available. Staff are very attentive to requests both at hotel and dive centre. Dive centre has good boats and a large water tank to wash your kit. I had no need to leave the complex during my stay. I drove down from Dubai hence only a short stay (4 hour drive plus 1 hour to cross border). Hotel's wifi is very good. Hotel can get quite busy as it is an escape from the summer temperatures of Dubai."
Thanks for a Great Holiday!
"The transfers and ground arrangements were great and friendly. The accommodation was really nice, though it is isolated and the food was great.
The Dive Centre Staff and Crew were a really good bunch and they were very accommodating. The dive sites were amazing!
A favourite memory from the holiday was helping clear two massive drift nets off the reef.
Thanks for a Great Holiday!"
Adam Whitehouse - UK
Great diving
"Spent 4 days here in October 2015. 3 days diving with 6 dives. Whale sharks showed up on each day. Whale sharks are viewed en-route to the dive sites with the chance to dive or snorkel along side them. Dive sites on my trip included Junn Wall, Little Junn, Moustrap, Seera Island, The Aquarium and Garden of Eden. Visibility was 20+ meters every day but it can vary quite a bit. Lots of reef fish, morays, puffers, hawksbill turtles, squid, cuttlefish, lemon sharks, snappers, groupers, Picasso triggers and lot of macro life and corals. Water temperature was 25C to 27C.
Hotel is very chilled and dive centre is part of the same complex. Food is excellent and alcohol is readily available. Staff are very attentive to requests both at hotel and dive centre. Dive centre has good boats and a large water tank to wash your kit. I had no need to leave the complex during my stay. I drove down from Dubai hence only a short stay (4 hour drive plus 1 hour to cross border). Hotel's wifi is very good. Hotel can get quite busy as it is an escape from the summer temperatures of Dubai."
Simon - Millennium Resort
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