The Sultanate of Oman is an enchanting, unique country that I know well, having lived there for 5 years. If you’re planning a trip to Oman and want to add some adventurous activities to the agenda, then look no further.
Oman is very rich in tradition, having preserved its strong heritage that dates from 5,000 years ago. The atmosphere is peaceful and it is a safe country to visit in the Middle East. This gem of a country is a breath of fresh air (literally) in contrast to it’s high-rise packed, luxurious and artificial neighbor, Dubai. Both countries have their own unique attractions to offer, on much opposite ends of the scale.
Not only does this relatively unknown country have the warmest, most hospitable people, it’s essence of Arabia strives with culture, history and beauty.
There’s an endless choice of activities to do for every type of traveller. Whether seeking to indulge on a gorgeous beach vacation, get involved in a number of unique adventures or discover cultural wonders, the treasures of Oman will not disappoint.
I hope to encourage all travellers to discover this fascinating country, with a list of the top 6 adventurous things to do in Oman that you can’t miss!
1. Wadi Shab
Oman is scattered with Wadis (arabic term for valley) and this is without a doubt one of the best day trips to go on. Only a few hours drive from the captial city of Muscat, this short hike will lead you through an opening of lush palm trees and astonishingly bright, emerald-green rock pools that weave through the dramatic canyon-valley. You will climb over and under rocks, swim through turquoise pools, climb up mini-waterfalls, wade through streams and for the dare-devils, this is a cliff-jumping haven. In 2012 the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series final stop took place here.
The end of the hike/swim leads you to the much anticipated ‘keyhole.’ This is a very narrow slit in the rock face that you have to swim through for several metres before reaching the opening to a large water-filled cave. You can swim behind the main waterfall feature of the cave with not an inch to spare as your head fits through the small smoothed passages carved by water. Hear your voice echo as you pass through stalagmites and stalactites during this exhilarating journey.
You can also climb up the waterfalls cliff-face and take the plunge off a protruding rock back down to the depths of the cave. It truly feels like you’re in an adventure water-park, except it’s all natural and very real. The perfect day for families and friends.
2. Tiwi Hole
After experiencing the wonders of Wadi Shab, a close drive away is the famous Tiwi Hole (also called the ‘Sink Hole‘) located in Hawiyat Najm Park.
Over-looking this sink hole is mesmerisingly beautiful. The rich, bright blue water is impressive. It feels like you’ve stumbled upon a piece of magic contrasted against the plain rocky, flat landscape surrounding it. You can swim in the warm sea water, snorkel and cliff-jump off the side.
3. Snake Gorge
This isn’t any ordinary hike. Experience an adrenaline rush like no other at Wadi Bimah (Snake Gorge) in the Wadi Bai Auf area of the Al Hajar Mountains. Embark on 3km of swimming through or jumping in to bright green pools and water-filled caves, climbing up waterfalls, sliding down natural water-slides and scrambling over boulders. This is all through a narrow dramatic canyon cutting snake-like in to the rugged landscape. It certainly feels like you’ve been transported in to an Indiana Jones movie or a thrilling water-park ride.
To add to the excitement, watch out for the (completely harmless) snakes slithering in the rock pools. It’s important to be aware of any rainfall, as flash-floods can occur through the gorge.
4. Majalis Al Jin Cave
Welcome to the second largest cave-chamber ever discovered, a true wonder of the world. I did this expedition with a professional caving company after several days of training. This is serious hair-rising, heart-pounding, thrilling business – one of my greatest achievements.
The cave is just so huge it’s hard to wrap your head around the mass of immense space surrounding you. Three shards of light shine thickly across the entire chamber, piercing through gaps in the roof above. This creates a surreal and magical display of nature’s beauty.
Access to the bottom is by abseiling, using special equipment through one of the three vertical entrances. Majalis al Jin is also the desired location for Base jumpers – not for the faint hearted!
Check out my similar caving experience at Oman’s 7th Hole, another incredible cave-chamber to explore.
4. Jebal Akhdar
This is one of the most beautiful and scenic places to see in Oman. Discover valleys, plunging canyons, plateaus, mountain cliffs and fantastic hiking trails through Jebal Akhdar (‘Green Mountain’), part of the Al Hajar Mountain range.
Extending about 300km wide, the highest point of eastern Arabia lies here, called Jebal Shams around 3000m high. This is a treat for hikers who can soak in spectacular views while embarking on a mix of challenging and moderate trails. Many tourists and locals will reach this mountain by 4×4 car through rocky terrain, for day or overnight camping trips. This is by far nature at its finest.
5. Wahiba Sands
Only a few hours drive from Muscat is the magnificent Wahiba Sands, an awe-inspiring sight. Choose one of the many tourist companies to take you on a 4×4 Dune Bashing excursion. Enjoy the roller-coaster ride of creeping up steep sand dunes to go plummeting down them much to your thrill and excitement – just hold on tight!
You can also go sand boarding. This is a whole new kind of workout – climb up the dunes with your board to go whizzing down a mass of deep-orange, rippling hills. A very unique desert experience.
6. Diving
As well as plenty of pristine beaches to relax on, Oman has some of the best dive sites to explore. With an abundance of colourful coral and marine life to keep you in awe, the diving here is not to be missed – for the experienced divers and learners too.
Visit the Oman Diving company or the Oman Dive Centre for a range of dive trips to join.
For more adventure travel inspiration, check out:
Top 5 Things to do in Madagascar
Top 5 Things to do in Malaysian Borneo
Amazing post. A lot of awesome things here that I have never heard of. Thanks a lot for sharing!
Hey thanks! I hope you get to check out Oman and the great adventures to do there!
The Al Jin cave looks incredible! Really wish I could do it. Of course it begets the question, if you’re abseiling down…. how do you get up/ out?
Good question! It’s not easy that’s for sure! You have to learn to use the equipment so your feet slide up the rope, locks, and then you can lift yourself up bit by bit up the rope. It took me about an hour. Amazing experience!
I didn’t know about the diving–looks spectacular!
The diving is great! Not as good as the Red Sea, but still wonderful.
What a beautiful place. I’ve been dreaming about Oman lately, looks like I need to go there soon!
Yes it really is beautiful, mountains, beach, wadi’s..i hope you can go one day!
Beautiful…added to my long list of places to visit!
Cannot wait to go there. looks amazing!
Reblogged this on Purple Wanderlust and commented:
A fellow traveller pointed me to his blog on Oman. Having not really heard or researched much into Oman, now I REALLY want to go there. It looks incredible!!
Wow, i’m making note of this. Now only to wait for cooler days to arrive!
Never knew that we can do so many things in Oman
Thank you SO much for this post! I am moving to Kuwait in a few short weeks and have been scouring the internet for different places to travel when I’m in the Middle East. Oman is closer to the top of the list than ever before!! I loved this post!
-W
I don’t know if I would want to go into a cave, dangling down on a rope like that.
I think the whole time I would have been thinking—WHAT IF I can’t get back out!
Just a wee bit claustrophobia, I am.
But, it looks like it was an amazing experience…..
Okay…to say we’re jealous, would be putting it mildly. So just know that when we’re done with this comment, we’ll be throwing darts a your blog! lol. Those pictures we’re seriously beautiful. And we’d have to agree with your first couple of commenters and say that you’ve taught us something new. We had never heard or seen these places before! The pictures we’re exquisite and leave one longing to dip into them!! Thanks for following our blog and we’ll be looking forward to coming by yours and learning more about amazing places the nomad travels. Sharing this now!!
Oman is beautiful always wanted to go there it has always been on my bucket list awesome post
Thanks! It really is beautiful 🙂
the people are wonderful there too! so friendly.
wish my diving visibility had been that clear when we went in muscat!
Beautiful. ….amazing….I will be ther with my family. .soon
That’s exciting! I hope you get to do some/all of these things, perfect for a family adventure 🙂
Welcome to AMS. I hope you continue to enjoy what you see there. I thought I would stop by and Wow did I get an eyeful.
I had no idea that Oman was so diverse and beautiful. I’m sold already. If I can (not likely) I will go. You never know what the future holds so I will keep hoping.
I love Oman. Funny that one of my recent blog posts was about this country. I got to know some other places in Oman that I didn’t visit thru your page. Greetings from Rio de Janeiro!
It’s an amazing country isn’t it! That’s so great, I’ll check out your post too! Thanks for reading :).
Indeed Oman is a beautiful country with beautiful sceneries and places. We visited the Bimmah Sinkhole and Wadi Shab and would want to go back and experience more… 🙂
That’s great you guys visited those places! The sinkhole is so beautiful, I always take my friends there who are visiting :).
brilliant post! would love to visit oman someday.
I’ve always wanted to go Oman. These photos are so enticing! 🙂
Oman is enchanting indeed. I’m yet to explore most of the things on this list, but I did very much love travelling around the Musandam governorate. I’m certainly going to use your article to prepare my next Oman itinerary.
Hi, I will be in Oman on October 27-30 and will be staying around muscat area. would you mind helping me creating a 4-day itinerary? Thank you so much!
I have only been to Musandam in Oman and that was amazing! Would love to go back and explore more.
I hope you get to go back, there’s so much to explore! 🙂
Yes, definitely would like to explore the entire Oman, but how much time does one need there? Distances are quite important! And it seems quite pricey, too!?
I would highly recommend the (snake gorge canyon), as a local I can easily say this is best wadi in a oman , checkout my video below :
http://youtu.be/duU-aLFOyTo
Hi ,,i am from Oman .
First i thank you for your comments about my country.
http://tourismoman.com.au/
http://www.omantourism.gov.om
these site will help you to know more about Oman..
welcome in oman.
This is so beautiful and Oman is really a beautiful place and I Recommend that all alteast once in their life must visit it, for reference I am sharing a PPT which summarises places to visit in Oman
This PPT in slideshare has some really beautiful places to visit in Oman, with breath taking images of the places
http://www.slideshare.net/pmohamedali/oman-tourism-48188243
Great post. What is the best time of the year to visit…especially to enjoy at the beach, snorkelling, etc.
this blog is great. I’m moving to Oman in the next month and can’t wait. Cant wait to go on many adventures while I’m there. 🙂
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