11 January 2024
The Oman coastline extends 1700 km from the Strait of Hormuz in the north, to the Republic of Yemen in the south. It borders three seas - the Arabian or Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Of these the best diving is at the Musandam peninsula, Daymaniyat Islands and Fahl (Fahal) Island.
The Sultanate of Oman is the oldest independent state in the Arab world. Tourism is on the rise, with diving being one of Oman's major attractions.
According to the book Reef Fishes of Oman, there are probably between 1300 and 1500 different species of fish to be found in the coastal waters of Oman. Most can be seen elsewhere in the Indo-Pacific region, but there are some that unique to this area and could be called 'Arabian' species. The diversity of marine species is greatest in the Arabian Sea, and declines northward through the gulfs. It not just the fish which are diverse, hard corals number 130 species plus there are 60 recorded species of soft corals here.
View prices and availability of Oman liveaboards
In the south of the country, in the Arabian Sea around Dhofar, you can see Arabian humpback whales, sperm whales and manta rays. In their book Secret Seas, Paul Paul Flandinette and Michel Claereboudt say that, uniquely, temperate seaweeds like kelp co-exist with tropical coral communities, with numerous species found nowhere else. This is possible because of the seasonal upwellings of cold, nutrient-rich, water. When the water temperature rises from October, the seaweed is eroded and eaten and the corals again dominate.
Four species of turtle nest in Oman - the green turtle, hawksbill turtle, olive ridley turtle and loggerhead turtle.
Although you can dive year round, the best time to dive is from April to October. In Musandam in the north, the whale shark season is from May to October. Between June and August the weather is very hot, in the forties (oC). In the south, the best time to dive is between October and May.
Photo by Paul Flandinette
It is common to dive in Oman without a guide, but if you ask for one you will be accompanied.
Travelling to Oman
If you are travelling to Oman with prescription drugs, carry a copy of the prescription. Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into Oman. You should of course take out diving and travel insurance before you go.
Diving the Daymaniyat Islands • Muscat, Bandar Khayran, Musandam and Fahl Island Dive Sites • Oman Diving Operators and Liveaboards • Oman Accommodation• Further Reading • Your Comments
The Daymaniyat Islands are the first Marine Reserve in Oman and are a UNESCO world heritage site. The coastguard hut on Police Island has been turned into a hut for the park wardens, who monitor the boat traffic within the reserve.
The best diving is from April to October, with the best visibility in May and June.
There are nine Daymaniyat islands, distributed over 50 km in 3 groups: Western, Central and Eastern. They shelter nesting populations of Hawksbill and Green Turtles.
Western Daymaniyat Islands
Central Daymaniyat Islands
Eastern Daymaniyat Islands
The nearest airport to the Daymaniyat Islands is Muscat, the capital. We stayed with Al Sawadi Beach Resort, who organised transfer from the airport.
The main sites are shown on maps above, but remember there are big distances between each of the groups.
When we were there, in August, there was a significant plankton bloom, and the visibility on the eastern islands was much worse than around the western islands. Because of deep ocean upwellings the water below about 10 m was also quite chilly (22 oC). A 3 mm wetsuit is adequate although on a second dive you begin to feel the cold.
The islands have shallow sandy seabeds on the Oman side, but on the northern side there is a steep drop off and even some walls. Typical maximum depths on dives range from 20-28m.
The features are very healthy hard and soft corals, with very little damage. Lots of shoaling fish, very many moray eels and stone fish and cuttlefish. There are also some very large crayfish, and some small crabs around. Turtles are frequently seen, and some huge ones at that. From July to September the plankton bloom also attracts whale sharks, so with a bit of luck the opportunity may arise to snorkel with one these.
by Graham Collins
Video of diving the Daymaniyat Islands by David Collins
" Sea mount with good variety & density of life. Now in August, visibility not great but offset by seeing a juvenile whale shark briefly whilst descending, and cuttlefish laying eggs, as well as free-swimming morays, large nudibranchs, stingrays and other fun life. There was a bloom of large salps (chains of see-through jelly-like creatures) but these large ones do not sting. "
Lisa H, 6 August 2018
" On the eastern-most island the Aquarium dive is reported to be one of the best for meeting the larger sea life. "
Graham Collins
Snorkeller and whale shark by Paul Flandinette
" Low viz made these sites a bit more work, but a huge bull ray (bigger than me!) was a treat worth it. Turtles, big Arabian angelfish, slipper lobsters, many damselfish with eggs. Sadly also currently a large number of Crown of Thorns are impacting the coral. The operator, Sea Oman who are great, have flagged this to the government to possibly take action. Sites include The Noodle, Police Run (on Police Island) & others. "
Lisa H, 6 August 2018
" We particularly enjoyed the Hayut Run dive because of the turtles and huge stingray. "
Graham Collins
" The dive around Sira island had the best visibility and beautiful coral life. "
Graham Collins
" Daymaniyat Islands have a fantastic visual display of corals. Big leopard sharks, rays, turtles, lots of moray eels, scorpion and stone fish, barracuda, amazing variety of large shoals of fish and the occasional reef shark. Whale sharks if you're lucky. Fantastic experience, I would definitely recommend it. "
Holly Smith
Whip Coral by Paul Flandinette
Musandam | Bandar Khayran | Muscat |Arabian (Persian) Gulf
" Good, gentle diving. I visited Oman at Easter, the water temperature was a warm 26 degrees, and a 2/3mm wet suit is fine. It's a great place for the novice or for people who don't like deep diving as you are unlikely to get much below 15 - 20 m in most of the regular dive sites. Saw the usual culprits: sweetlips, cuttlefish, turtles, morays, etc - lots, really. The corals were mostly hard: cabbage and plate, staghorn plus anemone coral. Not quite the same standard as say the Red Sea, but not bad nonetheless. Oman itself is a great place to visit. You must hire a car and take time out to visit fishing villages and old Portuguese forts. There are 2 main dive centres in Muscat. As I did not want to stay in a posh hotel, who have their own dive operator or sub to Blue Bubbles, I stayed and dived with the Oman Dive Centre, whom I completely recommend. "
Iona Hill
Deliberately sunk in 2003 by the Royal Navy of Oman as an artificial reef, this relatively new wreck is already full of life and attracts large shoals of fish. It is 29 m at its deepest point and reaches up to 15 m. 84 m long and 14 m wide.
"Perfect length & depth wreck for a long slow dive, and good depth (10-30m) for Nitrox. Large schools of fish (grunts & snappers), esp. off the bow. Beautiful soft coral growth, especially along the semi-open companionways (but please be careful with your fins & minimise your bubbles if you swim through there). Stern has under-hangs where marble rays & crocodile fish hang out. Bow at sea bed has a large area of the hull that swings back & forth, and the booms inside the ship are very atmospheric. From the deck & doorway areas, lots of glassy sweepers & other schooling fish inside, plus everything from free swimming morays, to little nudibranchs. Viz was not great in August, but still very enjoyable dive (and only our boat there). "
Lisa H, UK, 6 August 2018
Marbled Ray at Al Munasir by Paul Flandinette
"I was almost put off by the dive-site name, but this site was pretty, with an ethereal feel due to the countless purple sea fir corals flowing in the gentle surge. Large broomtail wrasse, many puffer fish, moray eels of at least 4 varieties, a cuttlefish, and patches of reasonable viz despite the time of year. Here the salps are smaller (1 ft chain with small 1cm feathery areas) and can sting. "
Lisa H, UK, 6 August 2018
At Fahl island (also known as Fahal island and Jazirat Al Fahl) you might sea eagle rays, groups of large trigger fish, great schools of snappers and fusiliers, and many types of moray eels. If you are really lucky you might see a whale shark. It is also known as Shark island - look out for black tip reef sharks - and is 4 km off the coast of Muscat.
In the south of the country with a different climate. From June to September is the rainy season. The best diving is here is from late September to May. The dive sites are reached either by 4-wheel drive (Mirbat) or by boat (Salalah). This is where the kelp and corals co-exist.
Have you dived in Oman? Review the diving centre or liveaboard you used. Want to know more about the dive sites - see below.
Departs from Dibba on a Sunday for 6 nights. The cheapest Oman liveaboard option. This custom-built fiberglass Red Dhow has 3 decks, cabins with private bathrooms and a roomy main salon. She features inside and outside dining. She is 23 m long and has 8 cabins for 16 divers.
This liveaboard is a charming, traditional wooden boat for those who want to unveil the hidden treasures of the Musandam Peninsula. She departs from Dibba on a Sunday for 7 nights. 24 m long, she has 6 cabins accommodating 12 divers.
The Oman Explorer offers a choice of Daymaniat and Hallaniyat Islands. Large groupers, leopard sharks, stingrays, barracudas and turtles may be seen. Sometimes even humpback whales and whale sharks.This boat has 11 cabins for 22 divers. Minimum of 50 dives necessary
Extra Divers is well organised. They have three boats, of which two or three will go to the Daymaniyat Islands. The boat departures are staggered in the morning leaving at 8:00, 8:30 and 9:00. Doing two dives at the Daymaniyat Islands means that the return time is about 3-3:30 pm. Refreshment on the boats is simple but adequate. Extra divers will also arrange night dives on the islands if there is enough interest
Extra Divers
Al Sawadi Beach Resort
PO Box 747
Barka PC 320
Sultanate of Oman
Tel: (+968) 26795545
Fax: (+968) 26795535
E-mail: quickresponse.sawadi@gmail.com
"A good, safety-conscious dive operation, with Nitrox, & offering up to 3-4 dives a day if desired. Marina & the Extra Diver cabins are next to a large resort (Shangri la), but there does not seem to be much else nearby.
Boats spacious & shaded, but no marine head. Good plentiful tank racks, well organised boat. Good value for money."
Lisa H, 6 August 2018
Oman Sail
Sultanate of Oman
Tel: (+968) 24274201
E-mail: info@seaoman.com
"Great DM guide (Nash) who is knowledgeable & passionate about marine life.
Sea Oman are waiting for government permissions to offer Nitrox, this will be a great addition.
And they have a convenient air-con office & dive school area at the head of the marina close to the boat, with plenty of parking & a convenient hotel nearby, all about 15 mins from Muscat airport. Sea Oman have great skippers who also teach diving (Faisal, Jomar) & fast boats with good shade, plenty of space & a marine head.
Sea Oman (Yousuf) also recommended the very nearby hotel Mysk, which is a great hotel, new & with an elegant feel yet not expensive. The hotel is also at the head of the marina, and about 100m walk from the dive centre, and both have parking nearby. Good value for money.
Wholeheartedly recommend both Sea Oman and Mysk Hotel, and Oman diving in general. I will be back in a season with better viz, I hope, but I'd still come again at this time. "
Lisa H, 6 August 2018
"Enjoy Oman's best dive experience with Mola Mola Diving Center. We operate daily trips to Daimaniyat islands, Fahal island and John island. Taste the diversity on a luxury yacht with live BBQ lunch on board, for vegans no worries - we care about you."
Molamola Diving Center
Al Mouj Marina
18 November St
Muscat
Sultanate of Oman
Tel: (+968) 93 38 6770
info@molamoladivingcenter.com
Based in Muscat near the international airport. Use the Daymaniyat Islands as the primary dive sites.
The Boat House
Hotel Intercontinental
Muscat
Sultanate of Oman
Mobile: +968 97700564/24693223/96017088
E-mail: Stan@omantascuba.com
Dive Ras Abou Daoud and the Daymaniat and Fahal Islands
Marina Bandar Al Rhowda
Al Saidiyah Street
Muscat, 100
Sultanate of Oman
Tel: (+968) 98 19 4444
Email: oman@euro-divers.com
Dive Daymaniyat Islands, Bandar Khayranthere and Fahal Island.
PO Box: 1358-102
Muscat
Sultanate of Oman
Tel: (+968) 9672 2337
Email: info@octopusdivingcenter.com
Global Scuba
P O Box 309
Medinat Sultan Qaboos PC115
Sultanate of Oman
Tel: (+968) 99317518
Fax: (+968) 24692346
E-mail: enquiries@global-scuba.com
global-scuba.com/
For more hotels and resorts in Oman see the Agoda site...
Al Sawadi is a beach resort north west of Muscat. It takes about 45 minutes by car from Muscat airport. The resort has been managed by Extra Divers since early 2011. The resort guests mainly come from Italy, Germany and France, with a few Brits. Al Sawadi is quite a large resort, with a small village of Barka some distance away, but within walking distance if the weather is not too hot.
Al Sawadi Beach Resort
PO Box 747
Barka PC 320
Sultanate of Oman
Tel: (+968) 26795545
Fax: (+968) 26795535
E-mail: quickresponse.sawadi@gmail.com
Secret Seas - Discover Oman's Unique Underwater World
Reef Fishes of Oman
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