Oman Beaches
If you’re travelling to Oman and you’re a beach lover then you won’t be disappointed. Oman beaches are amongst some of the most spectacular in the world, ranging from white or golden sand to pebble beaches. There’s also spectacular wildlife at every turn which you’ll be desperate to encounter whilst visiting.
What’s key to maximising your trip to Oman is to find the one that best suits your needs and that’s where this article comes in – we can help you decide which is the best one for your oman holidays.
We’ll even run through some of the best Oman beach resorts so you combine staying in luxury within the vicinity of your favourite beach.
Best Beaches in Oman
Some of you who’ve never visited Oman before might be surprised to learn that it has a coastline that’s 3165km long which contains some spectacular beaches.
The best beaches in Oman and the ones that suit your preferences, and the great news is that no matter whether you’re into wildlife spotting, chilling on a white sandy beach, or going for a sunset stroll, Oman has you covered.
What’s also unusual about Oman is that it contains a great mixture of beach resorts in the tourist areas as well as what we’re calling ‘adventure’ beaches which you’ll need to work a little to get to, but it’ll be worth in the end.
One of the must-do activities when visiting beaches in Oman is to take part in a snorkelling or diving session as Oman is home to some of the most spectacular diving and snorkelling sites. Watersports are also a huge attraction in Oman, with kayaking, surfing and kiteboarding all available to enjoy.
This list of the best beaches in Oman is going to give you the lowdown on which ones you should visit whilst spending time in the country.
1. Qurum Beach
This beach is located in Muscat and there’s enough sand here to build an entire sandcastle village! Qurum Beach is also easily accessible from various roads and there’s also plenty of hotels that offer direct access to the golden sand.
Qurum Beach is also well served by local amenities such as cafes, restaurants and some sheltered picnic areas are also available for use.
What’s also great about Qurum Beach is that it’s around 5km in length which provides an excellent opportunity for an evening shoreline stroll and you watch the magnificent sunset.
2. Turtle Beach
Also known as Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve, Turtle Beach is the place to go if seeing native wildlife is your thing. Via an organised trip to this wonderful nature reserve, you can witness turtles in their natural habitat, and you may even come across a few baby turtles being born.
For those of you wishing to see the turtles at this beach, the best time to visit is between May and September, and the highest chance of seeing them is between July and September, which sadly coincides with the hottest months of the year.
If you’re a night owl you may wish to embark on a guided night tour to Turtle Beach to enjoy the wonders of nature in a cooler environment.
3. Al Mughsail Beach
This beach is great because of having easy access from Salalah – only a 30-minute drive, which makes it a popular destination for day trippers and families.
The Al Mughsail beach is where dramatic cliffs meet the vast ocean. Located on the southern side of the peninsula near Yemen this area is one for sightseers and those who don’t mind stretching their legs a little bit as some walking up and down steps and slopes is required.
Whilst visiting Al Mughsail beach you can experience the wonderful ‘blowholes’, which for any children amongst your group will be a fascinating experience as they witness the sea pop up out of the ground!
4. Al Fizayah Beach
The Al Fizayah beach will leave you speechless it’s that breathtaking. The best way to visit this beach is via a tour guide as although it’s well worth a visit, getting to it is a little bit tricky and local knowledge will help a lot with finding it.
As it’s a secluded beach you will get to experience golden sands and crystal clear blue waters and by the time you get there, you’ll be running full speed ahead for a dip in the sea.
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5. Al Sifah Beach
The Al Sifah beach is located about an hour’s drive from the centre of Muscat. The beach itself is quite isolated but perfect for a long beach walk or if you fancy escaping the hustle and bustle of the city.
You can expect to find a few campers at Al Sifah beach as it is a popular spot for those who like to spend the night under the stars.
Things to be mindful of when visiting this beach are that it is exposed and can be windy and it’s not always possible to swim due to the varying tides, so check before you visit.
6. Azaiba Beach
Azaiba beach is by far the best public beach in Muscat some of the other beautiful beaches in Muscat have been swallowed up by hotels.
There are a range of watersports including Jet skiis for hire and when the wind is up it is extremely popular for kite Surfers. Note you can rent kitesurfing equipment and book various kite surfing lessons and courses through Nomad Tours
This beautiful beach is only a 15 minute walk from the Nomad guest house or a 5 minute run, Once you get on the beach it is about another 15 minute walk to the Kite surfing area with wonderful white soft sand.
Just beyond the kite surfing area there is a great restaurant called Cafe Farah. This restaurant probably has the best location in the whole of Muscat.
And at night the whole area comes alive with BBQs Beef Burger stalls etc.
Cafe Farah
The Nomad Guest house is not only perfectly located for kite surfers to enjoy this beach only a few kms up the road our diving partners are located. So you could both sign up for kitesurfing lessons and a diving course. when the weather is windy and the sea is rough you Kitesurf and when the sea is calm and light winds you dive.
7. The Sugar Dunes
The Sugar Dunes are very well named the sand is as white as Sugar as you emerge from the salt flats at the Southern end and see the vast expanse of sparkling whiter than white sand in front of you. It is simply stunning and this pristine white sand goes all the way down to the ocean.
Every now and again Tripadvisor or Lonely Planet run an article defining their top picks of the best beaches in the world. And typically topping the list will be beaches like Borcay in the Philippines. But the actual best beach in the world, the Sugar Dunes, is never mentioned. Why is that? It is because those unlucky souls writing those articles have never discovered this Majestic beach.
In some ways we at Nomad Tours feel somewhat guilty in bringing this marvel to the attention of the world. But these days there are so many Vloggers that the secret will get out, however hard we try to suppress it.
If you travel as far as the Sugar dunes you simply must just stay overnight and see the incredible sunsets as the glowing sun dips below the horizon of totally white sand. It is a photographer’s dream. If you are staying overnight it is best to have a 4WD car and camping gear. Camp by the beach do not consider driving into the soft white sand, you will be seriously stuck in seconds. It is true that if you are camping it can be very windy. At the Southern end of the dunes there are some abandoned buildings where you can find some shelter
There has been a threat of a Hotel opening in these Dunes for many years now, but thankfully it has not happened yet
For many on a 10 day or 14 day camping trip through Oman the Sugar dunes is the turnaround point.
8. Bar Al Hickman
The Sugar Dunes is perhaps the best beach in the world, but there is more to do In Bar al Hickman where there are awesome beautiful lagoons to explore. Ideally take a Kite board or a paddle board or perhaps an inflatable Kayak or raft and float out on the Lagoon among the Flamingos
Or just take a stroll along the lagoon shore and perhaps try your luck fishing by casting from the shore.
It is a bit of a journey to get to the lagoons across salt flats known as sabkha. There are no landmarks and the phone does not always work.
It can be treacherous in here especially after rains. If you break through the sabkha or crusted layer of salt there is very soft often liquid mud underneath, In 2024 a RV vehicle got stuck in here for over 2 weeks
Never risk travelling along through here. If you have more than one car and you have downloaded the track from an app like Wikiloc and you have plenty of supplies perhaps you will be OK. But much better to contact Nomad Tours who can arrange a local guide for you
Most people camp at Bar Al hickman but there is also a permanent camp called the whales head camp.
9. Tiwi Beach
Tiwi Beach is very popular among the locals and at weekends or public holidays in the main camping season September to April. In fact it is so popular it is best to camp somewhere else during these popular times. The team at Nomad Tours can advise on other camping spots. The Omanis have to be among the friendliest most hospitable people in the world until sometimes they get behind the wheel of a car or they turn up late in the evening to camp right beside you.
You might have just enjoyed a great BBQ and a few sundowners and just be dozing off. Then some wonderful locals turn up and turn the lights on and the ghetto blaster goes into action. Now they are so friendly they are sure going to invite you to their party. But in most cases you are going to want to be getting up early, have a morning swim, have some breakfast and continue your adventure , But if you have the time to party and socialise with the locals you can have a lot of fun too.
Where is Tiwi beach ? Tiwi beach tends to be the name given for a collection of beaches that run along the coast from the village of Fins to the village of Tiwi some of the beaches are pure white sand some of them are “pepply” There are some very good restaurants in Tiwi.
Oman Beach Resorts
Besides all the great beaches and other activities that Oman has to offer, it also has some spectacular beach resorts.
At these Oman beach resorts, you can expect to find great food, swimming pools, private beach access, activities for the whole family and some simply stunning locations with out-of-this-world views.
Here are a few Oman beach resorts we think you should consider for your next Oman holiday.
InterContinental Muscat
This is an IHG hotel and is located in the heart of Muscat. Kids stay free at this hotel, and it’s got all the facilities you could need; a swimming pool, bar, tennis court, fitness suite and a private beach.
Al Baleed Resort
This hotel is located in Al Baleed and staying here is a magnificent experience. There is something for everyone at this hotel from historic and cultural tours to cooking classes, or if you prefer relax by the pool.
Shangri-La Barr
Another hotel that’s located in Muscat you can enjoy unparalleled views of the coastline. This hotel features a kids club, water sports and even a lazy river – perfect for relaxing in the sun.
Turtle Beach Resort
If you’re keen on visiting Turtle Beach, staying at this hotel could be the perfect option. This hotel also comes with great amenities such as a kids club, bar, and internet access.
Salalah Beach Villas
This is a great choice if you enjoy staying in a greener part of Oman whilst still being near the beach. This accommodation is relaxing and comes equipped with a pool for your enjoyment.
You might like to read this:
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Related Questions:
Find more information with these related questions:
Can you swim on Oman beaches?
Yes, you can swim on Oman beaches. We have listed several beaches in this article where it's possible to take a dip in the water whilst visiting your chosen Oman beach. As with any sea swimming, it's important to follow the rules to keep safe and avoid swimming in areas which could cause difficulties, especially as some of the beaches are remote.
Does Oman have a beach?
Yes, Oman has many beaches of different types so there's something to suit all tastes and cater for different types of people. For families, there are beaches with amenities and activities, and for those who prefer quieter places, there are more secluded beaches. We have listed many of the Oman beaches in this article which will help you choose the beach that's right for you.
What are the rules for swimming on the beach in Oman?
There are no hard and fast rules for swimming on the beach in Oman, but you should take care of the conditions and not swim in rough seas that could cause you difficulty. It’s also important to remember to dress appropriately; if you are using a private hotel beach it’s fine to wear swimsuits but if using a public beach it’s a good idea to dress more modestly.
Does Oman have nice beaches?
Some of the beaches in Oman are amongst the most spectacular in the world. One of the best things about Oman’s beaches is that they’re so varied; some of them have white sand whilst some of them have pebbles. Whichever ones you choose to visit you’re guaranteed to be met with spectacular scenery and crystal-clear water.
Where to stay in Oman that’s near a beach?
There are plenty of options for places to stay in Oman that are near a beach. A lot of hotels include access to private beaches which means no travelling to and from public beaches. There are public beaches scattered across the country meaning no matter in which town or city you stay in you'll always be within reach of a beach.
