Scuba diving in

Oman and Musandam

Oman’s rugged coastline extends for more than 2,000-kilometres, touching both the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Though much of this underwater world remains unexplored, several areas have already emerged as world-class diving destinations, offering virgin reefs bristling with both hard and soft corals, offshore islands, and sunken ships. Thousands of fish species also call these waters home, alongside more than 20 cetaceans, four turtle species, and numerous macro subjects such as seahorses and nudibranchs.

Scuba diving Oman’s Musandam Peninsula

Musandam Peninsula is the northernmost part of Oman and is geographically isolated from the rest of the country by the United Arab Emirates. At the very tip of this peninsula, the jagged coastline has created numerous serene inlets, surrounded on all sides by steep mountainous slopes. This contrasting scenery causes many to refer to this region as the ‘fjords of Arabia’, while below the water, divers will find a variety of topography to explore, including drop-offs, tunnels, chambers, and coral encrusted walls. Cool, nutrient-rich upwellings also provide sustenance for a spectrum of macro species, as well as attracting giants such as whale sharks and even mola mola.

Scuba diving the Daymaniyat Islands

Located just north of Muscat, the Daymaniyat Islands are arguably the most popular dive destination in Oman. This archipelago of nine beach-fringed islands was the first protected nature reserve to me designated in Oman and is one of the world’s densest nesting grounds for hawksbill sea turtles. 

The islands typically feature shallow sand flats on the mainland-facing southern side, while the exposed northern coast harbours steeper sloping walls covered in coral, providing plenty of interest for divers of different experience levels. Both green and hawksbill turtles gather here in large numbers, alongside other reef inhabitants including moray eels, stingrays and clownfish. Zebra sharks can also often be seen, as can whale sharks during colder months. Even cetaceans such as dolphins and humpbacks can make surprise appearances.

Scuba diving around Muscat

The capital city of Muscat is where visitors will find the majority of Oman’s diving day trip operators. Situated just four-kilometres from the capital, Fahal Island is a popular destination for excursions, offering some of the most beautiful reefs in the country, some stunning swim-throughs, and an interesting tugboat wreck. Numerous blacktip reef sharks can be seen, as well as groups of mobula rays, and schooling barracuda.

Around half an hour southeast of Muscat by car, Bandar Kharyan is home to to more than a dozen dive sites consisting of shallow coral reefs, swim-throughs, and small walls infiltrated by honeycomb moray eels. Visitors can also explore the Al Munassir Wreck – an 84-metre ex-British Royal Navy vessel which was purposefully scuttled in 2003. Sitting at a depth of 30-metres, this artificial reef is now home to a rich tapestry of coral and an abundance of nudibranchs. 

Scuba diving the Hallaniyat Islands

Amongst those in the know, the Hallaniyat Islands are considered the crown jewel of Oman’s southern coastline. Surrounded by the Arabian Sea, this small archipelago is visited by liveaboards, offering exhilarating exploratory scuba diving for experienced underwater adventurers. While there are many established dive sites surrounding these five islands, new spots are still being discovered. 

Aside from the thrill of being one of the first to dive this new frontier, many visitors are drawn to the Hallaniyat Islands by the abundance of big marine creatures. Humpback whales can be seen here year-round, while sperm whales also make regular appearances, and dolphins can be seen gathering in their thousands. Beneath the waves, divers can encounter both manta and mobula rays, zebra sharks, Spanish dancers, moray eels, and huge schools of fish. Not to mention green, hawksbill, and olive ridley turtles. Shipwrecks are another key attraction here, particularly the WWI-era City of Winchester which sits at a depth of around 30-metres.