Oman Diving Spots

If you want to dive into the enchanting beauty of the underwater world and swim with eye-catching, colourful fish and sea turtles, you are in the right place. Today, I will tell you exactly how you can explore the unexplored pristine seas of Oman. This article is all about discovering the hidden gems of Oman diving spots.

Diving in the warm waters of Oman with 22 different species of whales and dolphins is an unforgettable experience for divers. Oman’s diving spots will interest both beginners and experienced divers. Oman is entering tourists’ bucket lists due to its untouched seas and underwater scenery. Oman also attracts diving enthusiasts to plan their diving holidays there because of its diverse and vast marine life.

Scuba diving in Oman is gaining popularity because of its stunning diving locations, unaltered waters, diverse marine life, and climate. The climate of this region allows you to dive throughout the year. Unbelievable right? Let’s dive into the article for everything you need to know about Oman’s diving spots.

Diving Sites In Oman

Oman’s extensive coastline stretches over 3000 km along the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. This vast coastal area and Oman’s islands provide amazing diving spots.

Oman diving spots are mainly located near Muscat, but you also find some diving sites in Musandam and Salalah, which are located in the north and south of the country, respectively. The most popular Oman diving spots are listed below:

• Daymaniyat Islands
• Musandam Peninsula
• Al Fahal Island
• Hallaniyat Islands
• Qantab
• Jissah Island
• Mermaid Cave
• Mambo Reef
• Al Munassir Wreck Dive

Nomad Tours Diving Spots

Nomad Tours offers the following diving spots:

Dive Types In Oman

The diverse oceans of Oman give divers a blend of different experiences. Every dive site has something unique to offer. Oman diving spots are of 3 types,

• Reef dive 
• Pinnacle dive
• Soft bottom dive 

Water Temperature

Oman is located in the Arabian Peninsula; hence, the water temperature is warm all year round, ranging from 19°C to 32°C. However, water temperature varies at various dive sites.

Muscat

The temperature drops to 23°C in January-February and is between 25°C and 26°C in November. 

In summer, the temperature exceeds 30°C, hence it is not very favorable.

Salalah

Unlike the other diving sites of Oman, the water temperature in Summer is lower due to the Monsoon. After the monsoon, the temperature rises to 28°C, then drops again at the start of winter.

Musandam

This region shows the maximum variation in water temperature. 

• In winter, the temperature dips to 23°C.
• In summer, water temperature climbs to 32°C.

Visibility

Underwater visibility is a volatile factor which cannot be predicted. The usual visibility at Oman diving spots is 5- 30 m / 12-100 feet.

Depth of Oman Diving Spots

The depth of Oman’s dive sites ranges from 12-30m / 40-98 feet.

Best Time To Dive In Oman

The best time to dive in Oman is April-May and September-October, because the temperature is moderate and the weather is pleasant.

However, divers need to keep a few things in mind when deciding the best time to dive in Oman, according to the location of their diving spot.

Divers should avoid the Monsoon season if they plan to dive near Salalah.

If you are planning to dive at Damaniyat Islands, then prior planning is needed for permission because the authorities close it for a few months to let the marine life recover.

If you want to dive during whale season, plan your diving holidays in Oman from January to April.

Marine Life

Oman’s marine life is vibrant and vast. The underwater world of Oman’s oceans is thriving with sea creatures. Diving enthusiasts visit Oman to see these exotic ocean beings.

The seas are brimming with life, from whales to sharks and dolphins to eels. Oman is home to many species of turtles, and some islands are nesting grounds for turtles. Many tourists visit Oman to see these majestic sea animals and their nests. The underwater scenery is eye-catching with reefs and corals. Some of them are:

• Green turtles
• Hawksbill sea turtles
• The Leatherback Sea Turtles
• Olive Ridley Turtle
• Loggerhead Turtle
• Guitar shark and leopard shark
• Whale Sharks
• Black Tip Reef Sharks
• Zebra Sharks
• Green Turtles
• Hawksbill Turtles
• Honeycomb Moray Eels
• Seahorses and
• Nudibranchs
• Reef fish
• Yellow-tailed fusiliers
• Jack
• Sweetlips
• Batfish
• Barracuda
• Shrimps 
• Gobies 
• Crabs
• Lobsters
• Scorpionfish 
• Moray eels

Daymaniyat Islands

The Damaniyat Islands are a UNESCO World Heritage archipelago and Oman’s first marine reserve area. If you want to go scuba diving in Muscat and are wondering where to go, the Damaniyat Islands are the place for you.

The Damaniyat Islands are a UNESCO World Heritage archipelago site. This is the first marine reserve of Oman.

Diving at Damaniyat Islands, Oman, is making it to the divers’ wish list. This place is nothing short of heaven on earth. The deep blue ocean with a colorful underwater panorama mesmerizes its viewers and is the perfect location for your next diving holiday in Oman.

The Damaniyat Islands are an impeccable top diving location for diving holidays in Oman. Diving at Damaniyat Islands, Oman, can be done by divers of all expertise levels, from beginner to professional. The reef walls, reef gardens, and wrecks add to the beauty of this place and make scuba diving in Oman an experience to cherish.

You might be interested in:

Daymaniyat Islands Snorkeling

It is a popular site for scuba diving in Muscat because it is only 1.5 hours away. Diving in Oman at Damaniyat Islands should be planned because of permit restrictions and the authorities’ limited divers per day policy.

The Damaniyat Islands’ exotic landscape not only provides nests for turtles and attracts sharks and whales. To allow this marine life to flourish, the government of Oman closes Damaniyat Island from May to October.

Dive Depth

The dive depth at Damaniyat Islands is 30 meters (100 Feet).

Dive sites

Some of the most visited dive sites are:

Aquarium

The aquarium is an iconic destination for scuba diving in Muscat.

The aquarium’s panorama is defined by underwater rocks studded with blue coral bushes, soft coral, and sponges. The scenery is so eye-catching that it is one of Oman’s most loved scuba diving sites.

The underwater view includes rock formations, reefs, vibrant fish, and a sandy sea bed. Diving in Oman at Damaniyat islands also allows divers to spot lemon sharks and rays hiding in the soft sand of the sea bottom at the aquarium site.

Another major highlight of this dive spot is its visibility. Because the aquarium is located in a slightly open sea, the visibility allows the divers to have an unobstructed view of the place.

Blacktip reef

Another breathtaking diving spot at Damaniyat Island is Blacktip Reef. With rocky walls and a large plateau with reefs and corals, this place offers divers a chance to sight rays, blacktip sharks, and moray eels, which might be hidden in caves under rocks.

Three sisters

This stunning dive location has beautiful rock formations covered in hard and soft corals. It houses large schools of Reef fish and a large cave that divers should not miss.

Titto’s Run

Titto’s Run is a dive location characterised by its fast-paced currents, which adventure-seeking divers love. The landscape is vibrant with corals and fish.

Garden of Eden

As the name indicates, this place is Underwater Heaven for divers. With its exquisite topography and vivid marine life, it mesmerises every eye. 

The landscape is abundant with coral-studded reefs and colourful fish that are eye-pleasing. The rock formations and sandy bottom make this place a popular choice for scuba diving in Muscat

Marinelife

• Leopard sharks
• lemon sharks
• Coral reefs
• Sea turtles
• Zebra sharks
• Whale sharks
• Reef sharks
• Sting rays
• Black tip sharks 
• Moray eels

The Musandam Peninsula, Oman, is located in the Musandam Peninsula. It is separated from the rest of Oman by the UAE. Musandam is also called the Fjords of Arabia. This makes it a popular choice for not only tourists from Oman but also from the UAE.

The sparkling waters of the Musandam Peninsula are bustling with life and have an amazing scenic panorama. The dive sites of the Musandam Peninsula are a go-to destination for scuba diving in Oman. It can be accessed from Khasaab.

Dive sites of the Musandam Peninsula are enriched with extraordinary marine life. The beauty of Musandam unfolds equally under water and above water. The underwater scenery includes impressive cliffs, caves, coral gardens, wrecks, and rocks. A vast variety of reefs enhances the beauty of dive spots. The underwater drop-offs that attract adventurous divers enhance the beauty of these scuba diving spots.

“Musandam Peninsula 004” by John Crane is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

In Musandam, you can dive at 25 different dive sites. Most of these are reef dives. These dive sites are suitable for divers of all levels. However, a few sites offer drift diving, which is more convenient for experienced divers. These dive sites offer different landscapes and panoramas to the divers. The Musandam Peninsula sometimes has strong currents, so divers must prepare their gear accordingly.

Although diving in Musandam is carried out all year round. But the best time to dive in Oman at Musandam is October to December.

If you want to experience Whale Shark sightings, you should plan your diving holiday in Oman from May to October, which is the official whale Shark season.

Dive Depth 

• 66 feet (20 meters)

Dive sites

Some of the most visited dive sites are:

• Ras Lima
• Octopus Rock
• Ras Musandam
• Lima Rock 
• The Caves
• Dibba Rock 
• Ras Khayser 
• The Cathedral 
• Khor Hablain
• Shab Shams

Marinelife

• Whale Shark
• Fish
• Octopus
• Jack
• Tuna
• Lobster
• Cleaner Shrimps
• Turtles
• Sting Ray
• Eagle ray 
• King barracuda
• Obtuse Barracuda

Al Fahal Island is also called Shark Island due to frequent shark sightings by divers. This limestone rock formation was discovered due to changing sea levels. If you are an adventure seeker and want to see a shark, this place is ideal for planning your diving holiday in Oman.

Oman has an impressive 39 types of reefs in its pristine waters, and Al Fahal Island has all of them. The location’s environment enchants, swimming in vast reef gardens, rocks, and underwater caves. Shark Island is very well-liked for scuba diving in Muscat.

Von Wusel007 - Eigenes Werk, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Common

Dive depth

The dive depth of Al Fahal Island is 40 meters.

Dive sites

There are many dive spots in Al Fahal island, two of them are,

• Hamburg bay
• Fahal east 

Marinelife

• Black tip shark
• Guitar shark
• Reef shark
• Barracuda
• Eagle rays
• Mobula rays 

Hallaniyat Islands, located in the southern part of Oman, are another location for scuba diving in Oman. This stunning archipelago has five islands.

The Hallaniyat islands are relatively remote and undiscovered. If you want to spend your holidays diving in Oman away from the mainstream spots, then the Hallaniyat Islands are a good choice.

The Hallaniyat Islands’ scenery includes a magnificent underwater panorama. The underwater scenery comprises rock formations, wrecks, and caves—this scuba diving spot in Oman appeals to people who love to explore the hidden world.

The marine Life of the Hallaniyat Islands is also captivating. The islands are visited by and home to many species of whales, Sharks, Dolphins, and rays. Exotic Humpback Whales are also found in the seas of the Hallaniyat Islands during the season.

The Hallaniyat Islands are Oman’s best-kept secret regarding scuba diving in Oman. This place is remote and hidden from the mainstream; new wrecks and sites are still being discovered.

The weather here is quite hot. This is why winter is the best time to dive in Oman at the Damaniyat Islands. But if your goal is to spot a humpback Whale during your diving holiday in Oman, then you must plan your trip during January to May.

Dive Depth

• 16-100 Feet (5-30m)

Dive sites

• Hasikiyah Arch
• Gotta Qibliya
• Angry Grouper

Marinelife

• Humpback whales (January-April)
• Sperm whales
• Leopard sharks
• Manta Rays (throughout the year)
• Oceanic manta rays (November- December)
• Dolphins
• Honeycomb moray eels
• Green turtles
• Moray eels
• batfish and
• Anemone fish 
• Trevally
• Tuna

Conclusion

• Oman is an excellent destination for divers of all expertise levels.
• Diving is possible throughout the year because of the weather and climate of Oman.
• There are so many diving spots in Oman, which give divers freedom to choose.
• If you are an animal enthusiast, you can plan your dive to experience watching sharks, whales and dolphins in Oman.
• If you want to experience a shark sighting, plan your dive at Fahal Island.
• Plan your dive at the Hallaniyat Islands from January to April for the best chance of seeing a humpback whale.
• If you are interested in turtles and their nests, the Damaniyat Islands are the destination for your dive.
• If you plan to dive at the Damaniyat Islands, get a permit from the authority in advance. 
• Oman’s tourism is still in its infancy, so dive sites are relatively unexplored. Hence, marine life is more intact.
• Always check weather forecasts when planning your dive.
• Diving in Oman can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. To get the most out of this excursion, plan in advance to avoid any last-minute hassles.