In the world of tourism, Oman itself is a “hidden gem” – especially compared to its flashy and fashionable neighbors, the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Just a one-hour flight from the glitz & glamor of posh Dubai, Oman is making a name for itself among travelers for very different reasons.
Today one of the safest, cleanest countries in the world, Oman was once a maritime empire and boasts over a thousand miles of pristine coastline. Silver antique compasses, sold at Oman’s souqs alongside plush pashminas and glittering amber jewelry, are relics of the country’s rich history as a shipbuilding center – in addition to vast, uncrowded beaches, immaculate coral reefs, and worldclass seafood.
Experience these four “hidden gems” and more in authentic Oman!
- The Maldives of the Middle East
Just one hour by boat from Oman’s bustling capital, Muscat, the turquoise waters surrounding the uninhabited Daymaniyat Islands teem with life. This well-protected nature reserve hosts several endangered species, like the gentle whale sharks that migrate through the open waters in the summer months; the reserve actually features the densest nesting ground for hawksbill sea turtles in the world. Snorkel or scuba dive to experience the colorful coral cities thriving below the tranquil waters’ surface.
- The Vibrant Dhofar Province
Due to the Khareef, or annual monsoon season, the often overlooked Dhofar province in southern Oman is lush and tropical for several months (roughly June-August) each year. Serene, white-sand beaches and bright blue lagoons border peaceful, traditional fishing villages. Coconut, banana, and papaya palms replace the fig and date trees that proliferate in the north. The capital of the province, Salalah, boasts picturesque waterfalls that gush down from green mountains during Khareef season, like those at the stunning Wadi Darbat. The ruins of the ancient port city of Sumhuram on Arabia’s fabled frankincense route, where bags of the fragrance would depart for India and China by boat or inland by camel, is just one stop en-route to the Rub al Khali further south – the gargantuan desert where travelers can dune bash by day & stargaze by night.
- The World’s Only Desert Fjords
Known as the “Norway of Arabia,” the Musandam Peninsula is a remote and remarkable landscape of jagged limestone cliffs and vibrant khors (or flooded valleys) jutting out into the Strait of Hormuz. The peninsula is populated by friendly fishermen and herdsmen and their families living on small hamlets accessible only by boat. Whether sailing on a traditional dhow boat or wakeboarding behind a speedboat, visitors will enjoy frequent dolphin sightings. A special treat awaits those who stay overnight: bioluminescent plankton glow in the warm water – a rare and stunning spectacle.
- The Rose Gardens of Jebel Akhdar
Jebel Akhdar means “The Green Mountain” in Arabic. Scenic, terraced gardens, watered by traditional, communal irrigation systems called falaj, begin to bloom with fragrant, pink Al Muhammadi roses in March. In April, villagers carefully harvest the flowers to distill into rosewater; this peaceful process is cherished as a national heritage. During the rest of the year, villagers grow everything from olives, grapes and figs to apricots, pears, apples, peaches, pomegranates, walnuts and almonds.
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