MY Oman Explorer

Overview

The spacious MY Oman Explorer is a 34 metre steel hulled vessel, which very comfortably accommodates 22 divers in 10 spacious twin cabins and one Master Cabin. Diving is done directly off the dive deck or from a RIB, dive site dependant and Nitrox is available.

The MY Oman Explorer follows different itineraries depending on the season - see schedule for details. As of September 2019, the boat has been renamed the MY Oman Explorer.

Click here for deck floor plan

Accommodation

There are 6 twin cabins in the lower deck, 1 Master cabin on the main deck (20 m²) and a further 4 twin cabins on the upper deck. All cabins are en-suite and have extra silent air-conditioning units, reading lights and charging stations.

The main deck comprises a saloon with TV and music system, plus a spacious dive deck with deck level fresh water shower and toilet.

There is a spacious sun deck  and a large comfortable fly deck with both a shaded and sun area, as well as a separate area for relaxing in front of the wheel house.

Specification

Commissioned: 2004, Fully Refurbished in 2015, Length: 37 metres, Beam: 9m, Engines: 2 x Daewoo 720 BHP/1800 rpm, Generators: 1 x Perkins 100 Kw + Kohler Silent 60kw - 380/220V/50Hz, Sockets: 2 round pin style, Compressors: 1x 450ltr/min, 1x 320ltr/min + Nitrox rotary compressor  Internet: not available.

Navigation / Safety

2 x 25 person life rafts, 36 x life vests, VHF radio, Furano: Compass, Radar, GPS, Autopilot, satellite phone, Depth sounder, chart plotter and engine auto-extinguisher

Twin Centre & tours

The MY Oman Explorer makes an ideal twin centre option with either Muscat or Mirbat in Oman's south. (Mirbat: Late October to early May only.)

Alternatively, to see a little more of this fascinating country, why not combine diving with a number of Tours that are available. Full details and prices can be provided for any of the Tours listed below:-

• A Glance of Oman – 3 nights / 4 days
• Discover Oman – 5 nights / 6 days
• Encounter Oman – 3 nights / 4 days
• Glimpse of Oman – 4 nights / 5 days
• Hidden Treasures of Oman – 7 nights 8 days
• Imperial Tours 5 nights / 6 days
• Mountain, Desert & Beach – 3 nights / 4 days
• Oman’s Highlights – 6 nights / 7 days
• A Glance of Oman – 3 nights / 4 days

Please see below details of the Mountain, Desert & Beach Tour which is available.

Mountain, Desert & Beach Tour itinerary

Below is a highlights video of the Mirbat & Salalah itinerary created by our friends at Extra Divers.

Schedules & prices

Dive info

Mirbat & Salalah

Discover the extensive reefs of southern Oman and the Hallaniyat Islands! Departing from Mirbat’s small harbour, the itinerary will be exploratory in nature, for divers comfortable in a relatively remote location. The experienced Egyptian crew, in tandem with Oman based dive guides already familiar with many of Mirbat and Salalah’s exciting dive sites, join you in discovering the enormous wealth of sites on offer.

Hallaniyat Islands

Sitting in the waters straddling the north Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea, the Hallaniyat Islands comprise five islands lying in an east to west string in the south-eastern waters of Oman’s Dhofar district; Al Hasikiyah, As Sawdah, Al Hallaniyah, Shinays & Al Qibiliyah. (The islands may also be referred to as the Khuriya Muriya Islands.)

The largest island is Al Hallaniyah at 56 km², the others being relatively small, but this remote string of islands offers a wealth of dive sites to be discovered. The geography is typical of the rugged desert like peaks typical to Oman, with its highest point at approximately 465 meters.

City of Winchester wreck

Sitting in 28 - 30 metres of water, this historic 150m long vessel holds the spurious title of the first British ship to be sunk in an act of war by Germany in WWI.

Rumours also abound of other wrecks from the famous fleets of Vasco da Gama. Are you ready to make your first discovery?

Please note: the City of Winchester wreck is subject to temporary closure.

Humpbacks, if you are lucky!

Reliable, relatively frequent reports of humpback sightings are known, along with some of their smaller cetacean friends; the dolphin. A good chance of manta rays, large grouper and superb coral on relatively shallow reefs will enthral divers.

Please note that water visibility can be changeable in this area of the ocean, averaging around 20 metres. Divers should each travel with their own surface signalling devices and observe conservative dive profiles due to the location of the itinerary.

Muscat

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 towards the north boasts an incredible variety of coral species.  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 Jussa, 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.

Musandam

The Musandam peninsula is separated from the rest of Oman by the United Arab Emirates. Geographically, the area is characterised by large sawtooth mountains, which fall dramatically into the sea. 

The coastline itself is carved into countless fjords, bays and islands. The stunning scenery above the surface is reflected underwater by impressive drop offs and an incredible diversity of healthy corals and strong currents.

Reefs and Diving

The waters surrounding Musandam and the Strait of Hormuz provide very fine coral reef diving. Plankton rich waters attract over 900 species of fish, ranging from cleaner wrasse through to whale sharks. There are over 25 established dive sites within 60 minutes boat ride, subject to local conditions. As the region is remote and commercial fishing is not permitted, the volume of marine life is very noticeable and leaves a lasting impression on divers.

The dive sites themselves range in character from walls to extensive coral gardens. The diving here is almost exclusively drift diving. The combination of plankton and strong local currents attract a great range of pelagic species, which includes both manta and eagle rays, along with whale sharks. Boats are often accompanied by dolphins, which like the calm waters of Musandam’s fjords. Numerous shark species can also be encountered, as well as most species of turtle.

The trade off for the high concentrations of larger marine life is underwater visibility, which typically lies in a range from 12 and 20 metres.

The dive sites of Musandam deliver world class adventurous drift diving to experienced divers. Although the area is remote, access is via a non-stop seven hour flight into Dubai from a variety of British airports. Contact us to find out more about seasonal liveaboards to Musandam.

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).

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.

All UK nationals require a tourist visa. This must be obtained before departure.  You must arrive in the country within a month of purchase of the visa, or it is invalid.

To obtain the visa, please:-

• Visit         https://evisa.rop.gov.om/
• From the 'Services' section, select 'Apply for Unsponsored Visa'
• Follow the application process
• The cost for a 30 day visa is OMR 20

British travellers entering Musandam, via Dubai (U.A.E.) airport:

All UK nationals require a visa for the U.A.E. This is granted free of charge on entry to the U.A.E. When you cross the border from U.A.E. to Musandam at the Tibat border you are required to pay a departure tax of 35 A.E.D. (Arab Emirate Dirhams) or equivalent in another currency.

When you enter Musandam (Oman), UK nationals must have a visa before departure. Please see above, for the application process.

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.

Itineraries

Please note that liveaboard itineraries can change without notice. The itinerary will depend on several factors including, but not limited to, weather, diving ability of guests & the number of other boats already present at the various dive sites. All dive sites visited are subject to weather conditions and are at the discretion of your dive guides and vessel captain

Mirbat & Salalah Sample Itinerary
Muscat Sample Itinerary
Musandam Sample Itinerary
Mirbat to Sifah (or reverse) Sample Itinerary

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