Beaches

There is no doubt that Oman is lined with some stunning beaches. With over 1600 km (1000 miles) of coastline, much of it accessible, there is just about any activity the average beach goer can find from sunning, swimming, diving, snorkeling, boating, surfing and sail boarding, beach combing and shell collecting. In the Muscat area several major hotels are on beach front property.

Just off the suburb of Shatti al Qurm is' The Intercon Beach' facing the Muscat Intercontinental Hotel. This beach is ideal for family outings, morning walks or a jog in evening. Its not uncommon to find local Omanis playing pick-up games of football (soccer) in the breakers at low tide. You will find restaurants, snack bars and cafes along the beach as well as local dive operators. The Intercon beach extends two km to the Crowne Plaza hotel. At the Qurum beach entrance barbecuing is allowed on the beach. You might find local youth singing in groups late into the evening

Close to Al Bustan is the road to Qantab beach and Bandar Jissah beach. At Qantab local fishermen will offer to take you fishing while at Bandar Jissah the view of the rocky coastline is fabulous. Just beyond Bandar Jissah is the Oman Dive Centre where you can arrange diving excursions and take courses (PADI instruction).

From the Al Hamriyah roundabout near Ruwi is the road to Yitti beach. This drive on a single causeway road through hilly terrain will lead to a fishing village with winding dirt track that lead to the beach through a long shallow cove. At the beach fishermen are busy at work. There is ample room for any kind of beach activity. You can wade in the shallows or investigate the shell encrusted outcrops along the shore.

If you would like to spend more time investigating Oman's beaches, rent yourself a four wheel drive and head southeast down the coast beyond Quriyat. After Dibab there are a variety of beaches between rocky outcrops, the most prominent being Mokallah (also known as White Beach). This spot is very popular for overnight camping on the shore. Here the snorkeling is excellent.

About an hour west from Muscat is the popular Al Sawadi Beach Resort, an ideal weekend getaway. For aqua sports enthusiasts, the resort offers dives, snorkeling speedboat rides, water scooters, temperature controlled swimming pool and Jacuzzi.

360 km from Muscat is the beach at Ra's Al Junayz where you can spend a night watching Oman's green back turtles nesting almost any time of the year.