Musandam Oman Holidays
Musandam
Holidays
The Norway of Arabia — a dramatic exclave of Oman at the tip of the Arabian Peninsula, with extraordinary fjord-like inlets (khors), towering limestone cliffs, crystal-clear water and the finest dhow cruising in the world
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Flight Time
7h to Dubai + 2h drive
Best Time
October to April
Country
Oman
Suppliers
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Musandam Holiday Guide
Musandam is the most dramatic landscape in Oman — the fjord-like khors, traditional dhow cruises, almost-guaranteed dolphin sightings and the extraordinary Six Senses Zighy Bay make it one of the most spectacular destinations in the Middle East. 2 hours from Dubai.
October to April is ideal. Book the Six Senses well in advance.
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Popular Areas in Musandam
Average Temperatures
Jan
20°C
Feb
22°C
Mar
26°C
Apr
31°C
May
36°C
Jun
38°C
Jul
37°C
Aug
37°C
Sep
35°C
Oct
30°C
Nov
25°C
Dec
21°C
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Call 01282 960 460Top 8 Things To Do in Musandam
Khor Sham, traditional dhow cruises, the Six Senses Zighy Bay and almost-guaranteed dolphin sightings that make Musandam the most dramatic destination in Oman.
Khor Sham & the Fjords
Khor Sham is the most dramatic and beautiful of the Musandam fjords — a vast, deep inlet carved into towering limestone cliffs, stretching 16km inland from the Strait of Hormuz. The cliffs rise up to 1,000 metres from the water and the inlet is so narrow in places that the sky is reduced to a thin strip of blue above. The traditional fishing village of Kumzar (accessible only by boat) is at the head of the khor. The scenery is extraordinary and unlike anywhere else in the Middle East.
Dhow Cruises
Traditional dhow cruises through the Musandam fjords are the finest boat experience in the Middle East — a full-day or half-day cruise on a traditional wooden dhow through the extraordinary khor landscape, with stops for swimming and snorkelling in the crystal-clear water, visits to traditional fishing villages and almost-guaranteed dolphin encounters. The dhow cruises depart from Khasab harbour and are operated by several excellent tour operators. The full-day cruise to Khor Sham is the finest.
Dolphins
Musandam has the most reliable dolphin sightings in the Middle East — the Strait of Hormuz and the Musandam fjords are home to large pods of spinner dolphins and bottlenose dolphins, and encounters on the dhow cruises are almost guaranteed. The dolphins frequently bow-ride alongside the dhows and are completely unafraid of boats. Dolphin sightings are one of the highlights of any Musandam visit and are particularly magical in the early morning when the light is beautiful.
Diving & Snorkelling
Musandam has excellent diving and snorkelling — the crystal-clear water of the fjords has excellent visibility (often 15–20 metres) and a diverse marine life including reef fish, sea turtles, rays, moray eels and occasional whale sharks. The best dive sites are around the rocky headlands at the entrance to the fjords. Several dive centres in Khasab offer guided dives and snorkelling trips. The snorkelling from the dhow cruises is excellent and accessible to non-divers.
Six Senses Zighy Bay
The Six Senses Zighy Bay is the finest resort in Oman and one of the most extraordinary hotels in the world — a collection of 82 pool villas set on a private beach in a remote bay accessible only by boat, by a mountain road or by paraglider (the most dramatic hotel arrival in the world). The resort has an extraordinary spa, excellent restaurants, a private beach and an atmosphere of complete seclusion and luxury. It is consistently rated among the top ten resorts in the world.
Khasab & the Mountains
Khasab is the gateway town of Musandam — a small, pleasant town with a beautiful Portuguese fort (Khasab Castle), a traditional souq and a harbour full of traditional dhows. The mountains above Khasab (Jebel Harim, 2,087 metres — the highest peak in Musandam) have excellent hiking trails and extraordinary views over the fjords and the Strait of Hormuz. The mountain road from Khasab to Jebel Harim passes through dramatic scenery and traditional mountain villages.
Telegraph Island
Telegraph Island (Jazirat al Maqlab) is one of the most historically fascinating sites in Musandam — a tiny rocky island in the middle of Khor Sham that was used as a relay station for the British Indo-European Telegraph Company in the 1860s. The island gave rise to the expression 'round the bend' (referring to the mental breakdown suffered by the telegraph operators isolated on the island). The ruins of the telegraph station are still visible and the island is a popular stop on the dhow cruises.
Practical Tips
Musandam is most easily accessed from Dubai — a 2-hour drive north through the UAE to Khasab (a border crossing is required; UK passport holders do not need a visa for Oman). Alternatively, Khasab has a small airport with flights from Muscat. October to April is the best time to visit — the summer heat is extreme. The dhow cruises should be booked in advance during the peak season (December to March). The Six Senses Zighy Bay should be booked well in advance.
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Key areas, beaches and attractions across the island.
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