Excursions

Muscat offers the visitor a unique opportunity to witness a modern commercial center existing in harmony with its traditional culture and natural harbor. Our tour of the Grand Mosque (except Thursday & Friday) & (Ladies fully covered with scarf)- & Bait Al Zubair Museum (except Friday) is a brief introduction that traces Oman's history and development. Drive along the waterfront Corniche visiting the Fish Market & the colorful Muttrah Souq. We proceed for a photo stop to the magnificent Al Alam Palace, official palace of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos flanked by the 16th century forts Mirani & Jalali.

Transfer from the Muscat hotel to the pier side to embark on a boat as we search the seas for Dolphins and Whales. Watching wild dolphins is a thrilling way to start the day and the lucky may even come across one of the many species of whales that can be found just a few kilometres from Muscat's rugged coast. Not every trip guarantees a sighting, but you are sure to enjoy a trip out to sea and enhance your knowledge of nature's most fascinating marine mammals. (Soft drinks, tea, coffee and sandwiches included).

A full day tour along the Batinah coast. Our first stop is the Seeb Fish Souq by the seaside. Drive through the date palms to the sparkling springs and Fort at Nakhl. Visit the beautiful Wakan Village famous for its terrace farming. Our next stop is Wadi Abhyad which has large patches of white sedimentation and when translated means white wadi. The drive winds through the mountains with small pools of water dotting the wadi bed.

Drive to the foothills of the Jebel Shams mountain range. Our first stop is at the Nizwa Souq famed for its Antiques and silver jewellery. A brief photo stop at the Round Tower Fort before proceeding ahead. Our next stop takes us to Wadi Nakhel located in the depth of our deepest canyon. Visit Misfah a pretty mountain village with stone dwellings still in existence. While heading for Jebel Shams stop at the terrace farming village of Wadi Ghul. Jebel Shams the highest peak offers a spectacular view.

The Sharqiyah Sands, a vast mass of undulating red and white sea of sand and dunes rising up to 200 meters are also host to a variety of flora and fauna. The ever-changing patterns of the dunes are a photographers delight. Visit a Bedouin house in this wilderness. In stark contrast to this is Wadi Bani Khalid. It comprises of small pretty villages embedded in the mountains. The Wadi has clear deep blue water. It is advisable to wear light comfortable clothing and walking shoes.

Suitable for beginners or experienced divers alike, diving in Oman is a sublime pleasure, not only on account of the Sultanate's huge coastline with its wide variety of dive sites, abundant marine life, coral reefs and ship wrecks, but also thanks to the unspoiled condition of the destination.

The key dive sites are at Muscat's Bandar Khayran area or at the pristine Daymaniyat Islands.

You can expect to see stunning natural formations with stingrays, angelfish, honeycomb eels and even a few friendly black tip sharks. Also plentiful underwater fauna including brain, hegdehog and cauliflower corals, sea fans, lion fishes, moray eels and green turtles. If you plan to have a diving holiday we recommend you stay at the Oman Dive Centre, Shangri-la Bar al Jissah Resort & Spa or the Al Sawadi Beach Resort all of which have Dive Centres on-site.

Explore Oman's historic coastline under sail. Venture into a timeless world of secluded coves, enchanting desert islands and dramatic coastal landscapes, all within easy reach of Muscat. Oman Charter excursions include coastal cruises, exploring the picture-perfect Damanyat Islands, beach picnics, snorkelling and scuba diving, and sunset cruises. The luxurious Orana 44 catamaran is perfect for skippered and bareboat sailing trips, from day trips and long weekends to 7 day adventures and more, for up to 8 people plus crew as required. No previous sailing experience is necessary and families are welcome. Full details on www.seaoman.com/activities/charter/