Oman

[Robynn]

Well, I live here because of the diving. If anyone has any questions about diving in this area feel free to ask as I have about 300 dives here. Great place for a holiday too, that's how I got hooked in the first place and then did a Shirley Valentine and came and lived here.

 

[kruz]

I agree,great place for holiday,we had great time in Muscat and surrounding area and great diving of course.

 

[Luuk77]

What is the best time to dive in Oman??? I probably want to visit Oman this year and I would like to combine it with some diving....

 

[Malene]

Hello,
I am going to Muskat next month.
Is there any chance to see whales at this time of year ?
I have planned 5 days for diving and two days for sightseeing ? What you recommend, preferably without having to rent a car ?
Thanks

 

[Ian T]

I'll try to answer both questions...
Difficult to answer about best time - depends on where you are going and what you want in a dive.. You can have great viz in one dive site off, for example, Muscat and then crap 10 miles away...what can I say - it's the sea...
Viz is usually better in the summer but then you would have temperatures between 45 and 57-58C which is a tad hot...
Marine life is good all year, water temp ranges from 24 right now (cold as hell-o) and 33-35 in the summer..
Whales..well there is always a chance but probably not, in 6 years here I have seen whales 3 times on the surface and once on a safety stop (8m Brydes whale)...
Off Muscat you'll most likely see dolphins (spinners) from the dive boat but you can't get in the water with them. I only know of a few people who have seen dolphins while diving...

Sightseeing without renting a car means you are stuck in Muscat...go to the traditional suq (market) in Muttrah one evening, spend a morning at Sultan Qaboos Mosque (not open for visits on Thurs-Fri), remember to cover legs, arms (3/4 length is not enough) and hair...Fish market in A'Seeb is different - nice but different... Go for a walk in the mountains in Ruwi..There are a couple of museums worth visiting... Qurm Park... afternoon tea in the lobby of Al Bustan Palace (don't know if they have re-opened though)...
Other people will probably offer you different advice...but with only two days for sightseeing...
Check Lonely Planet's website...

Cheers
Ian

 

[Luuk77]

Sightseeing without renting a car means you are stuck in Muscat...

Do you mean that there is not a lot of public transport outside Muscat or is it for her 2 days difficult to go outside Muscat without a rented car? Because I would like to travel the country for approx. 3 weeks by public transport and make a few dives somewhere in those weeks.

Can you recommend some good divespots, preferably with good marine life (not necessary large marine large, I can enjoy small too)?

 

[kruz]

We had 2 days wonderful trips from Muscat. We rented a guide with car at tourist agency from our hotel(Qurum hotel). First was Nizwa with surrounding area - fortresses(portugese and omani), and second was Wadi Shab'Tiwi,Sikhole(amazing!!!!).

 

[kruz]

Here are some pics so you can see the beauty of Oman

Wadi Shab

Sinkhole

Sultan Qaboos mosque

 

[kruz]

If you want to see rest of Oman photos take a look at

Oman - Muscat, Nizwa & Wadi Shab 25.10.06. - 1.11.06. album | BeskrajnoPlavo | Fotki.com

and some UW photos

Oman podvodno / UW Oman album | BeskrajnoPlavo | Fotki.com

 

[Malene]

If you want to see rest of Oman photos take a look at

Oman - Muscat, Nizwa & Wadi Shab 25.10.06. - 1.11.06. album | BeskrajnoPlavo | Fotki.com

and some UW photos

Oman podvodno / UW Oman album | BeskrajnoPlavo | Fotki.com

Thanks for the photos Kruz, they're really great! I'm getting more impatient to be there!

Malène