Oman Diving

The Sultanate of Oman is a fascinating country. Situated at the far eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula, its coastline stretches for over 2000 km, touching the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea on its way.

The landscape is diverse and range from arid and rugged in the northern and central parts, to the surprisingly green in the southern region of Dhofar. Its people are friendly and the Omani government has a strong hold over environmental issues, hence you don’t often see any litter lying around. Oman is simply an Eco-tourists paradise.

With that much coastline, a relatively small population and an average water temperature of 26 C, any diver would instinctively think; “there must be something down there worth checking out”. Well, there most certainly is!
Bearing in mind that only part of the underwater realm has been explored, Oman can already now lay claim to offering the best diving in the Gulf region! The word is spreading and Oman has, especially for European divers, become a feasible alternative to the Red Sea and other traditional diving destinations.

Where to go
Unlike the more established diving destinations, Oman’s diving industry is still in its infancy so don’t expect to find dive centres anywhere you go, so best to plan ahead. As a visitor, you should be able to arrange dive trips with relative ease in the following places:

Khasab
Diving from Khasab means diving literally in the Strait of Hormuz, which would normally attract only experienced divers. There are, however, also a large selection of easier dive sites suitable for novice divers and snorkelers alike. Extra Divers, based in the Golden Tulip Hotel, can arrange diving trips for divers of all levels.

Dibba
If you are visiting Dubai and want to have a taste of diving in Oman, Dibba is your easiest option. Apart from being only 90 minutes drive from Dubai, Dibba is also an “open town” right on the border between UAE and Oman and you can join dive trips from Dibba without having to get an Omani visa.

Damaniyat Islands
These nine uninhabited islands are situated approx 12 kilometres offshore and are best reached from the Al Sawadi Beach Resort Dive Centre, one hours drive north of Muscat. The islands have marine park status and the underwater scenary here is amazing. The marine life is prolific and there is a good chance of spotting “big fish” here, including Whales, Whale sharks and Manta Rays.

Muscat
It is fairly unusual for a country’s capital to also be the country’s “diving capital”, but this is nevertheless the case with Muscat. The waters off the Muscat coastline offers some excellent diving options and Oman’s leading dive operator, Oman Dive Centre, can help you explore the vast area stretching from the Damaniyat Islands in the north to Ras Abu Daoud in the south.
The Muscat area offers the country’s most developed tourism and diving industry and is the “busiest” place in all of Oman with a range of restaurants, bars and some nightlife. It is, however, still quiet compared to other international holiday resorts.

Salalah
In the far south of the country, you will find Salalah. The diving here differs from the rest of Oman as most dives here are safari style shore-dives, very similar to how it is done around Sinai in Egypt. You go by four-wheel drive into the desert west of Salalah, kit up and walk in straight from the shore. Easy.

The diving here is also seasonal – not much diving takes place during the summer months when the sea is whipped up by strong monsoon winds, so best go in winther or spring. To sum up, Oman offers diving all year round for all levels of divers, but it is important to research and book before you go to avoid disappointment. And since Oman could well be the next big thing, best to go before it gets too popular.Enjoy your trip, dive safely and don’t forget to respect the fragile marine environment wherever you go.
http://blog.dubaidivers.com