Oman’s exotic climate and diverse, unspoiled terrain offers countless possibilities for outdoor activities, from camel treks through the desert to diving in coral reefs and watching turtles nest.

Plain Sailing
Leave the luxury of your yacht behind and explore the waters around Oman’s Musandam Peninsula aboard a traditional dhow (local sailing boat). The mountains of this region, otherwise known as “the Norway of the Middle East” rise 2,000 meters out of the Arabian Gulf and are characterized by striking fjords and colorful rocks. Settle back against the cushions and drift serenely through the still waters to isolated scenic spots and beautifully secluded beaches. Full day cruises will take you along the length of the peninsula (around 17 miles) while half day trips will stop at Telegraph Island or the cliff side village of Kumzar. The arresting Khasab Castle is another key attraction of the region.
There are also regular regattas held in the waters of Oman. Contact the Marina Bander al Rowda for more information. Alternatively, novices can sign up for a course with the Oman sailing school.

Underwater Wonders
With more than 1,700 km of stunning coastline, Oman is an unexploited diver’s paradise. The colorful coral and diverse marine life can be enjoyed all year round. There are some unique diving points close to Muscat around Fahal Island, the Damaniyyat Islands and Cemetery Bay that have been likened to the Red Sea. Don your wet suit and flippers and uncover a world of moray eels, sea urchins, lion fish and colorful coral reefs. With the abundance of phosphorescence in the waters, night dives are also a magical experience.
Dolphin and Orca whale watching is also popular with both divers and boaters. It’s common to see Spinner, Common and Bottlenose dolphins around Fahal Island in their daily quest for tuna.

Ecotourism
Nature lovers can lose themselves in the waterfalls, rivers and verdant hills of Dhofar, in the south. Due to the monsoon rains (known as Khareeff) the region enjoys a more tropical climate than the rest of the country. It’s also a prime area for bird watching. Over 460 different species of birds migrate to Oman from Europe, Africa and Asia during the cooler months of October to April.

Turtle watching is another of Oman’s highlights. The beaches of Ras Al Hadd, in the A’Sharqiyah region, are specially protected for turtle nesting. In fact, there are over 275 locations along the 42 km coastline from Ras Al Hadd in the north to Ras Al Ruwais in the south that attract 6,000 to 13,000 turtles every year from as far away as the Persian Gulf, Red Sea and the east coast of Africa. The area plays a major part in the protection of these endangered animals.

The Magnetism of the Desert

Oman’s enchanting expanse of sandy dunes extends 200 kilometers from the Eastern Hajar Mountains to the Arabian Sea. The most visited parts are Sharqiya Sands and Rub Al Khali (or Empty Quarter). Couples looking for romance can ride camels into the sunset and spend the night with Bedouins huddled around campfires under the stars. Extreme sports fans can also try their hand at sandboarding or driving quad bikes.

Camels are an integral part of Omani life. Practical functions aside, they are also bred for racing and undergo intensive training to compete nationally and internationally. Organized by the Oman Equestrian Federation, the Camel races make for a great day out and normally take place during national holidays.

Rocky Highs
The Hajar mountain range, 200 km from Muscat, features spectacular canyons, caves and rocks. It’s a paradise for hikers and rock climbers. Routes vary in difficulty from the rocky highs of Wadi Al-Ghool and Jabal Mishfat to the plunging Grand Canyon of Jabal Shams. Majlis Al-Jinn, in the A’Sharqiyah region, is one of the longest caves in the world and is only recommended for advanced cavers. For less intrepid adventurers, the Al-Hotah cave features a picturesque underground lake. While you can go it alone, guided tours are strongly advised.

Practical Information
Getting to Oman from the UK: British Airways, Oman Air and Emirates operate daily flights from London Heathrow to Oman’s capital city Muscat via Abu Dhabi, Dubai or Bahrain. Gulf Air offers two direct flights per day. The flight takes around nine hours. Alternatively you can fly to Dubai or Abu Dhabi and take a four-hour bus to Muscat.
Visa Requirements: British passport holders need a visa to visit Oman. You can obtain a visa upon arrival at any land, sea or airport in Oman. There is no need to apply in advance. A one-month combined tourist/business visa costs 6 OR (Omani Rials) (about £10) and this can be extended for another month for a further 6 OR. A one-year multiple entry visa, which is valid for three weeks at a time, costs 10 OR (about £16). To visit Musandam in the north of the country, you need a multiple entry visa.

Useful Links
www.touroman.com/camel_racing.htm
www.omansail.com

Airlines:

www.britishairways.com
www.omanair.com
www.emirates.com
www.gulfair.com

Visas: http://www.omanembassy.org.uk
http://www.rop.gov.om/

Images by Storymary , and Minds-eye