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OMAN
REGALDIVE
the div
Diving in Oman
Oman
Breathtaking scenery,
rich history and
pristine dive sites
Just seven hours flight away, Oman is situated
on the south eastern corner of the Arabian
Peninsula. It is quickly gaining the reputation it
deserves, as the new warm water diving
destination. Oman’s waters offer prolific sea life
and a fine contrast to the Red Sea, with currents
and marine species influenced by its proximity
to the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean.
DIVING OUT OF MUSCAT
The diving out of Muscat is well established, with
more than forty recognised sites. Bandar Jussa
offers five excellent dive sites and a night dive not
to be missed. Bandar Khairan is an area of
outstanding beauty, with rocky outcrops,
deserted beaches and small islands only
accessible by boat. The underwater scenery is
similarly dramatic, with access to a wreck and
picturesque reefs and walls, which are festooned
with healthy corals.
THE DAYMANIYAT ISLANDS
This string of offshore islands has placed Muscat
firmly on the world diving map, offering divers
pristine coral gardens, walls and abundant fish
life. Various shark species are frequently spotted,
including leopard shark, with the occasional
whale shark and school of bottlenose and spinner
dolphins passing by.
MUSANDAM’S STRAITS OF HORMUZ
Over twenty dive sites are accessible in these
plankton rich waters, with nutrients and currents
sweeping through this narrow stretch of water,
which spans the Arabian Sea and The Gulf. Over
900 species of fish, from wrasse to whale sharks
and rays, can be enjoyed in waters that do not fail
to surprise. Often, your boat maybe followed by
schools of dolphin and pelagic species hanging in
the challenging current.
Staying in Oman
LIVEABOARDS FROM AL DIBBA
The Sultanate of Oman enjoys great natural assets. Breathtaking mountains plunge
Boats of modern construction built in a traditional
directly into the Arabian Sea along large sections of the 1700 km coastline. Oman
style cruise the Gulf of Oman, seeking out sites
enjoys a rich cultural history and for thousands of years was an important part of
unavailable to day divers against the backdrop of
the frankincense trade route.
the northern Hajjar mountain range. The Muscat features a historical waterfront and souk area, located near the Royal
spectacular Eastern Musandam Peninsula offers Palace. Add-on activities such as an ‘Essence of Oman’ tour can be organised here
steep wall drops offs, with drift dives fed by Indian to enjoy the desert, architecture and wildlife.
Ocean currents and cold upwellings. Access
these remote waters at the leisurely pace a
The Musandam peninsula is separated from the main body of Oman by land
liveaboard offers.
belonging to the United Arab Emirates and offers some spectacular mountain
scenery.
SALALAH & MIRBAT
Salalah & Mirbat, a 1
1
/2 hour flight from Muscat, offer adventure and the opportunity
Situated in the southern area of Oman’s Dhofar
to discover the true riches of Oman, both above and below the water.
region, the unspoilt coastline offers sheltered
Visit
www.regaldive.co.uk for details.
bays to explore shore based dive sites, in an area
steeped in history and heritage. Shallow dive sites
accessed by jeep extend from Salalah to Mirbat
along the coast. Here, marine life is typically Indo-
Pacific, offering great macro life, table and brain
corals and small kelp forests in thermocline rich
waters, late in the year. Salalah and Mirbat are
only accessible from October to May, before the
‘Khareef’ starts to blow. This seasonal humid
wind leaves a legacy of green and lush landscape,
unexpected in this predominantly desert area,
before the sands and rocks emerge again.
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www.regaldive.co.uk
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