Stunning Beaches of Oman

"The cure for anything is salt water- sweat, tears or the sea"  – Isak Denisen

Oman is rooted in cultural traditions, hypnotizing landscapes and the serene sea side. Spanning over 1700 kilometers of coastline that runs right along the Gulf of Oman from the north to the Arabian Sea in the east and southern frontiers, the sultanate surely has some of the most stunning and secluded beaches the Arabian

Peninsula has to offer. Mixing the dramatic coastlines with the hazy heat, some truly unforgettable water sports, snorkeling and diving spots, Oman becomes a must-see on any beach bum’s bucket list.

During my visit to Oman I got to sample a few beaches, some closer to the capital of the Sultanate, Muscat. There is no dearth of variety among the beaches sprawling along the Oman coastline, each unique in its own way and yet embodying the same essence of tranquility with calm blue waters and ocher sand galore everywhere.

Bandar Jissah was the first beach I encountered in Oman, which is located at around 25 kilometers from Muscat, and makes the perfect remedy for those days when the bustle of Muscat’s souk

markets gets too intense. The drive along the sweeping coastal roads was yet again most memorable with the rugged mountains on one hand and the serene sea flowing along the other. The roads are bendy and it seemed almost like a downhill slope while reaching the beach and main tourist areas, which was a refreshing experience.

The main attractions at the beach are the Qantab – a small local fishing village that sits along the alluringly blue waters and rocky hills surrounding the lagoon; the ruggedness of the rock creating a beautiful contrast against the stillness of the sea. Local fishermen’s boats bob silently by the shore and snorkeling opportunities. The second being Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah resort – one of the most

luxurious and exuberant resorts on the planet offering 3 different hotels, several restaurants, activities and much more.

The most enjoyable beach that I visited was the Al Sawadi beach. Situated in Al Batinah south governorate of Oman, this beach was one long drive from Muscat and leaving early in the morning to escape the hot bright mid day sun made for the best time to explore it. The beach being much less crowded or touristy with it’s the clear blue water and lagoons was almost perfectly serene.

Taking a local fisherman’s rusty old boat we took a trip around the lagoon and across the shore to see the precipitous, long-standing and yet beautiful mountains. The speed boat

ride was swift, fun and memorable. But the best part of this beach is the tidal flat walking! The surreal experience of actually walking on the sea bed right across to the center to the other shore was mind blowing. This particular walk entails some amount of risk as it involves walking down the slippery, coral filled sea bed from the sea shore to an island and must be done before high tide. But this is a truly mesmerizing experience and I would recommend it to anyone who loves some calm and tinge of adventure.

This is merely the tip of the iceberg as the Sultanate boasts of around 8 to 10 prominent beaches like the Qurum beach, aviation beach, Ras Al Hadd and so much more. Sadly, I didn’t get to sample more and I really hope I get to do so in the future.