Aside from the stunning desert landscape, the Sultanate of Oman has beautiful beaches well preserved and blessed with crystal clear water. It is home to many interesting marine creatures, most notably turtles and dolphins. This is why watching dolphins is a common activity among tourists and locals in Oman. The dolphin shoals are most commonly seen in the Governorate of Muscat and Musandam, though they can also be seen in the South Governorate of Al Sharqiyah, Dhofar area, and Al Wasta. In Muscat Marina Bandar Al-Rawdha hosts various tour operators providing sighting tours. There are several different types of dolphins visiting Oman. The most famous is the Indian Ocean dolphin, the Rissos dolphin, the famous bottlenose dolphin, the striped dolphin, the common long-beaked dolphin and the Indo-Pacific Humpback dolphin. Watching dolphins is a popular attraction for tourists in Oman.
Best Places for Dolphin watching in Oman
Bandar Al Khayran :
Situated 20 kilometers from Muscat, this location is an idyllic river valley. It has many fascinating forms of rock formations, tropical islands, salt-marshes and long, narrow inlets of pristine waters. For some locals it is also called Al Khiran. Spending an afternoon is a beautiful beach, and if you swim in its waters deep enough it is home to many welcoming dolphins. Most tour operators bring their boats close to their natural habitat to see these magnificent creatures.
Duqm Beach:
This beach was once a quiet fishing village, in the governorate of Al Wasta. Today, with Crown Plaza and The Park Inn by Radisson Hotel nearby, it has become a commercial venue. Duqm Beach has Middle East’s second largest dry dock, and has a thriving gas industry. You can look deep into the ocean if you’re lucky, and see dolphins swimming on the horizon.
Masirah Island:
Masirah Island is renowned for its vibrant marine life and its complex climate. It is surrounded by islets like Kalban, Marsis and Chanazi. This island can be reached by a small ferry named Alyasoora, in the Al Sharqiyah Governorate. This ferry will bring passengers, boats, and goods to the island from the mainland. There are several species of turtles on the island that lay eggs on its beaches, and dolphins that can be seen from the beaches. It is not only a breathtaking destination but also a Best Places for Dolphin Watching In Oman.
Dhofar Beaches:
Dhofar is Oman‘s Southernmost City. It has plenty of beautiful beaches like Al Maghsayl and Al Hafah popular for water sports such as swimming, snorkelling, and water skiing. Dhofar boasts thrilling lagoons, and wild flamingos roaming through the desert if you’re lucky. There are plenty of caves to explore too. Dhofar’s ice-blue waters host a great many dolphin shoals.
Bandar Khayran Reserve:
A forty-minute boat ride from Marina Bandar Al-Rawdha in Muscat takes you to this nature reserve. It is a popular diving spot with more than twenty frequented locations, offering a spectacular view of the coral reef of the reserve. There is also a green lagoon lined with mangroves. The beach has ideal waters for boating and fishing and you can see dolphins leaping from the waters surface when the sun is high up in the sky.
