Oman: An Overview of This Sultanate in Southwest Asia
Exploring Oman's Underwater Wonders: A Diver's Paradise
Nestled on the Arabian Sea peninsula, the Sultanate of Oman is a hidden gem for scuba divers. This Middle Eastern country offers a unique diving experience, with its calm waters and abundant marine life attracting divers from around the world.
Most international flights arrive at Muscat International Airport (MCT) in Muscat, with a small number of regional international flights to Salalah (SLL). Depending on your dive itinerary, visitors can choose to start their journey in either Muscat or Salalah.
Muscat, with its lively vibe, vibrant souks, and tourist attractions, serves as a great base for exploring the underwater world. One of the most popular dive sites in Muscat is Fahal Island, often called Shark Island due to frequent shark sightings. The waters around Lima Rock in Musandam are teeming with life, featuring coral encrusted walls to depths of 20 meters/66 feet. Schools of jack and tuna are common, and the possibility of seeing whale sharks is not unheard of.
For those seeking a more intimate diving experience, the Vision, a new luxury liveaboard, accommodates 12 guests. This modern vessel offers spacious cabins and exceptional service, providing access to some of Oman's most pristine dive sites. Bander Khayran in Muscat, for instance, features shallow coral reefs, drop-offs, and one of the best wreck dives in Oman - the Al Munnassir.
The Oman Explorer is the only liveaboard operating in Oman, offering itineraries in the Dimaniyat (north) or Hallaniyat (south) Islands depending on the season. The Dimaniyat Islands, a nature reserve and an important turtle nesting site, boasts lush coral reefs down to 30 meters/100 feet and is home to a variety of reef fish and marine life.
The Hallaniyat Islands, on the other hand, offer dives like the City of Winchester Wreck, a WWI-era British merchant ship wreck that serves as an artificial reef, hosting numerous moray eels, schools of fusiliers and jacks, and larger species such as trevally and tuna. Aquarium, a shallow, untouched dive site, is another highlight, with huge colourful table corals and abundant small fish and critters.
Oman's waters are home to twenty-two species of whales and dolphins, making it a dream destination for whale watchers. The best time to dive in Oman is from April to October, with visibility well over 10 meters and September and October considered the 'whale shark season'.
For beginner scuba divers, Oman is an ideal destination due to its calm waters. It is also possible to dive from shore in the north of the country. However, for those seeking a more comprehensive diving experience, liveaboard trips are highly recommended.
As a bonus, for a limited time, The Vision can be booked with a 30% discount, making it an even more attractive option for those looking to explore Oman's underwater wonders. Whether you're a seasoned diver or a beginner, Oman offers a diving experience that is sure to leave you in awe.
