Musandam: fjords, dolphins and mountain roads

Why visit

Musandam is one of the most dramatic coastlines in the Middle East and still feels remote. A day on a dhow, a night in Khasab and a drive into the mountains make an unforgettable short trip, whether from Muscat or as a side trip from Dubai.

Dhow cruises in the fjords

The classic experience is a half or full day dhow cruise into Khor Ash Sham, the largest inlet. Boats pass the village of Nadifi, stop at Telegraph Island, where the British ran a telegraph station in the 1860s, and anchor for swimming and snorkelling in clear water. Humpback and bottlenose dolphins often ride the bow wave. Full day trips include lunch on board. Many local operators run these trips from Khasab harbour.

Snorkelling and diving

The waters around Musandam are rich in coral, reef fish and turtles, and divers come for strong currents and big life around the outer islands. Diving is for experienced divers with a reputable operator; snorkelling from a dhow suits everyone.

Khasab town

Khasab Fort, built by the Portuguese in the seventeenth century, holds a small museum of traditional life with a reconstructed summer house. The harbour is busy with speedboats that carry goods across the strait, a sight in itself. The souq and a few simple restaurants serve grilled fish.

Jebel Harim

A graded mountain road climbs from Khasab up Jebel Harim, the highest point in Musandam, through a stark landscape of rock and fossil beds. Khor Najd, a viewpoint above a deep inlet, is one of the most photographed views in Oman. Take a four wheel drive tour: the tracks are steep and unsealed.

Getting there

Oman Air and SalamAir have run flights from Muscat to Khasab, though schedules change. A fast ferry has linked Muscat or Shinas with Khasab at times. Many visitors drive or take a tour from Dubai or Ras Al Khaimah, crossing the land border at Tibat. Border rules for the UAE and Oman, including visas for each country, apply at the crossing, so check both official sites before you go.

Where to stay

Khasab has a small number of hotels, from a resort on the coast to simple mid-range options in town. Some trips include a night on a dhow or camping on a beach.

Planning

Two days is ideal: a full day cruise and a mountain drive. Visit between October and April; summer is extremely hot and humid. Use the free trip planner to fit Musandam in, and see places to visit for more ideas.

Villages by the sea

Some of Musandam's fishing villages, such as Kumzar at the northern tip, can only be reached by boat. Kumzar's people speak their own language, Kumzari, which mixes Persian and Arabic. Visiting respectfully, usually as part of a boat trip, is a rare glimpse of remote Arabian life.

Practical tips

Bring cash, as card payments are less common in Khasab. Pack swimwear, a hat and reef safe sunscreen for boat days, and modest clothing for town. Mobile coverage is patchy in the fjords. Seas can be choppy on windy days, so bring motion sickness tablets if you need them. Book dhow trips with established operators and confirm what is included, such as lunch, drinks and snorkelling gear.

Combining Musandam with the rest of Oman

Because Musandam is cut off from mainland Oman, most travellers either visit it as a separate short trip or fly in from Muscat. If you are travelling on a single entry visa, check how leaving and re-entering Oman via the UAE affects it.