Oman Beaches: Guide To The Best Beaches In Oman

Oman beaches are an epitome of dreamy golden sand and sunny beaches with clear blue skies to give you an unforgettable beach vacation. Every one of us will agree to visit a sandy beach with crystal clear waters is a dream we all cherish. Oman is blessed with a vast 3000km coastline facing the Arabian Sea, the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. The country is home to huge stretches of less populated, clean and sandy along the rocky mountains that offers dramatic views during the golden hour.

All of the Oman beaches are beautiful in their own way and offers something unique and different to the beachgoers. Given the amount of best beaches in Oman, I have narrowed down a handpicked number of the must-visit beaches. As Oman has the perfect weather for a beach holiday, keep reading for the best time to visit the beaches of Oman. But first, here is the ultimate guide to the best public beaches in Oman.

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Also see: My Ultimate Guide To The Best Diving Sites In Oman

Al Qurm Beach or Shatti Beach

Location: In the main city center of Muscat

Al Qurm beach or also called the Shatti beach is one of the main tourist attractions in Muscat and one of the most popular Oman beaches. Lying in the heart of the city, Al Qurm beach is surrounded by famous hotels, restaurants, and a shopping district. It is undoubtedly one of the busiest public beaches in Oman but that has not affected the charm and beauty the beach has to offer. A long stretch of sandy path along the blue waters is a perfect rejuvenation to unwind the hustle of daily life.

Also, the palm trees on the beach make it a great picturesque spot for your beach holiday. There are a few water sports operators and rentals on the beach in case you are up to any water adventure (you will usually not find these on other Oman beaches). Swim in the clear warm waters, indulge in water activities, play beach volleyball or silently read a book, Al Qurm beach has something to offer to everyone.

Yiti Beach

Location: 43km from Muscat. Take the right turn labeled as ‘Qantab’ from Al Bustan Street. Markers are marked from this point to guide you to the beach

Yiti beach is one of the closest beaches from the city of Muscat and undoubtedly one of the best Oman beaches. It is hidden in the mountains and can be reached by a forty minutes car drive through steep turns and twists in the mountains, which is one of the major highlights of the beach. It is famous for the limestone cliffs standing tall in the water where deep cuts can be easily seen in the surrounding mountains by sea erosion.

Yiti beach is popular among residents and tourists alike due to its picturesque landscape of mountains surrounding the unspoiled stretches of the beach. It is also a great public beach of Oman for picnics, fishing, and overnight camping. As the beach is isolated and away from any residential area or villages around, you can have a musical bonfire camping night in peace. To get a break from the hustle-bustle of the main city, Yiti beach is the perfect escape to get solitude and relax within nature.

Pebble Beach

Location: 150km south of Muscat (take the right exit labeled as ‘Shab’ after the Wadi Shab resort)

If long stretches of sandy isolated beaches with pebbles of different shapes, colors and sizes lying all across the shore is your fascination of an ideal beach vacation, then Pebble beach in Sharqiyah region of Oman is the perfect place for you to visit. Oman’s very own Pebble beach near the city of Sur has crystal clear waters, long lonely unexplored traces surrounded by mountains; a typical place that shouts Oman from every inch of it. This public beach of Oman beach offers a unique solitude, something very different from the other beaches in the country.

There is a vast array of smooth pebbles found in abundance (hence the name of the beach). The pebbles can be found in any shape, color or size you can imagine. It is mostly very empty except for the public holidays when a few people can be seen having a picnic, which makes it a must-visit beach in your list of Oman beaches if you’re looking for peace and relaxation. I cannot stress how perfect Oman’s Pebble beach is to swim, snorkel, rejuvenate your senses and to simply lost in nature bound getaway to unwind all the stress.

Ras Al Hadd Beach

Location: 240km from Muscat in the Sharqiyah region, near the city of Sur. Take the road to Quriyat from Wadi Adai or Al Amerat road in Muscat. Follow the markers to reach Ras Al Hadd Holiday Resort (Note: It is a public beach you do not need to be a hotel guest to access the beach)

Ras Al Hadd beach is one of the longest sandy beaches in the northern Sharqiyah region of Oman with a 12km long stretch. Less than an hour’s drive from the city of Sur, this beach is Oman’s only Turtle Nature Reserve. This Oman beach is divided into two sections; northern side is made into a public beach near the Ras Al Hadd resort, whereas the eastern side of the sea has been made into a turtle reserve sanctuary and general public entry is prohibited in the area.

Ras Al Hadd attracts a huge number of visitors due to its scenic landscape, 12km beach walk area and of course the turtle’s sanctuary. The months of May to December is the turtle nesting season when dozens of female turtles come to the land to lay their eggs. You can enjoy turtle watching in the sanctuary at a cost of $16 per person. The beach is mostly crowded during the turtle hatching months but not crowded enough to spoil the beauty of the beach. You can also explore the beach by hiring a local boat or go fishing with many of the boats available on the beach.

Musandam

Location: 535km north from Muscat. Drive towards Sinaw or the UAE border from Sultan Qaboos road in Muscat. You will reach a small roundabout by the end of Sinaw with UAE marked on the left and Musandam marked as straight. Go straight until the road end and you will reach the Musandam ferry terminal. (Note: Ferry also accommodates passenger cars, so do not have to leave the car behind at the ferry terminal)

The Musandam Governorate of Oman in is an Omani peninsula divided from rest of the country by a land piece of the UAE. It can be reached by daily flights from Muscat International Airport or by a road drive which eventually turns into a ferry ride as soon as you enter Musandam. Ferries are operated at fixed departure time from the main Musandam jetty; however, it is important to make reservations beforehand rather than showing up unplanned. Musandam is famous for its untouched beaches and highly diverse marine life.

The Bassa Beach in Musandam is a five minutes’ walk away from the main jetty terminal, which is a beautiful sandy beach with palm umbrellas to relax and toilets as well (something which you will not find easily on Oman beaches). Other than swimming, there are tons of water activities to enjoy in Musandam like sailing around the beautiful Fjords in traditional Omani boats, water sports, diving, and snorkeling. If you have enough time and budget, then visiting the beaches of Musandam should be a mandatory part of your itinerary.

Mughsail Beach

Location: 57km from the city of Salalah in Dhofar governorate. There are daily flights to Salalah from Muscat International Airport or you can go by bus or drive yourself to Salalah which is a minimum 12hrs drive from Muscat.

Mughsail beach (or Mughsayl beach) in Salalah is one of the most famous beaches in the Dhofar governorate of Oman. Situated near the border of Yemen, this beach public beach of Oman is famous for various reasons; long stretches of white sands surrounded by limestone cliffs and caves, sandy shore, a bird-watching spot and of course the famous blowholes. The beach attracts vast flocks of migratory birds during the winter season, which is one of the biggest highlights of the beach.

It is also very famous across the country due to its naturally formed blowholes that are eroded openings in the cliffs that blows the water out like a fountain during high tides. Mughsail is a complete package for any beach lover and the picturesque landscape makes it a must-visit the beach in Oman. The beach is extremely crowded during the monsoon season (locally known as ‘Khareef’ season) and venturing into the water is also not permitted during that time due to high currents.

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Best time to visit the beaches of Oman

Oman is one of those countries where the best time to visit the Oman beaches is all year round! Due to the high temperature and bright sunny days almost through the year, makes Oman beaches are a perfect escape to have a memorable beach vacation. However, the peak summer months of April to July receives extremely harsh sunlight and heat, therefore, it is not recommended to spend long hours under the sun.

The Dhofar governorate receives the highest amount of rainfall during the monsoon months; starting from June to the beginning of September and venturing into the sea during that time is prohibited in Dhofar.

Looking for more Adventure? Read my related Oman Destination Guides:

• Guide of The Best Hiking Trails In Oman
• 6 Must-Do Activities To Do During Winter In Oman
• 10 Awesome Things To Do In Muscat
• Best Day Trips To Take From Muscat

Disclaimer: Some of the links in the article (such as Hotels Combined & Booking.com) are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. However, I only recommend products and services I trust.

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