Things to Do in Muscat for First Visits

October 20, 2026

Travel advisory: Oman is affected by the 2026 conflict between the United States and Iran. At the time of writing, the UK Foreign Office does not advise against travel to Oman, but it reports strikes and retaliatory attacks by Iran in locations across the region, Oman included, since 8 July, and it says terrorist attacks cannot be ruled out. The US State Department rates Oman Level 3, “Reconsider Travel”, and the area along the Yemen border Do Not Travel. Muscat, its airport and its main attractions are open and no strikes on the capital have been reported, but flights and airspace can be disrupted at short notice. If you are told to shelter, stay in a room with few outside walls or windows and never touch drone or missile fragments. Read the UK FCDO advice and the US State Department advisory before you book and again before you fly.

Muscat stretches more than 60 km along the coast, so a good day here is built around one area at a time. Prices are in Omani rials (OMR, about US$2.60 each), and cash is needed in the souq, small shops and taxis. Dollars are not accepted. Alcohol is served only in licensed hotels and restaurants, dress is modest in public, and in Ramadan you should not eat, drink or smoke in public in daylight.

Snorkelling at the Daymaniyat Islands

The Daymaniyat Islands are a nature reserve of nine small islands about 18 km off Barka. Boats leave from Al Mouj Marina and Seeb Marina, and the crossing takes roughly 30 to 50 minutes. From 1 May to 31 October the rules allow boat-based trips only, with snorkelling and swimming from the boat, and landing or camping on the islands is banned. From 1 November to 30 April landing is allowed. Foreign visitors pay a reserve permit of OMR 3 for a visit or OMR 6 for a visit plus a dive, and operators usually fold it into the price. Shared half-day snorkel trips start from about OMR 30 for an adult. Hawksbill and green turtles are the animals people hope for, and whale sharks are reported from about June to November. Operators that trade from the marinas include Horizon Blue, Daymaniat Shells and Daymaniyat Tours.

Dolphin watching

Two-hour dolphin trips leave from Marina Bandar Al Rowdha at about 10 am, for about OMR 17 to 20 per adult and less for children. Sightings are never guaranteed. Whichever boat or snorkel trip you choose, the FCDO lists the Gulf of Oman among waters with a raised risk of maritime attack and warns that tourist boats may fall short of UK safety standards, so insist on a life jacket for every passenger.

Sunset kayaking at Bandar Khayran

Husaak Kayak Center runs guided sunset paddles from Bandar Khayran, about 35 km from Muttrah. Expect about OMR 15 for a single kayak and about OMR 25 for a double, with the gear and life jacket included.

Oman Aquarium experiences

The Oman Aquarium at Mall of Muscat in Seeb is open 10 am to 10 pm. It has more than 100 exhibits and over 10,000 marine animals, plus 14 penguins. Add-ons include a one-hour snorkel for ages 4 and up, a one-hour dive for ages 12 and up, and a 15-minute animal feeding at OMR 15 per feeding. Entry prices change, so see the Oman Aquarium site.

Muttrah Souq and Corniche

The souq in Muttrah is the place for frankincense, silver and textiles. Hours run in a morning session and an evening session with a break at midday, and many shops shut on Friday morning, so check locally. The Corniche is a harbour promenade, and the fish market is a modern waterfront building that is best visited early in the morning.

Wadi Shab

Wadi Shab is the one adventure that fits in a long day. It lies about 150 to 170 km from Muscat on the Tiwi coast road, a drive of about 1.5 to 2 hours on paved road. A short boat crossing, reported at about OMR 1 per person (bring coins), is followed by a walk of about 45 minutes each way to pools and a swim through a narrow gap to a cave with a waterfall. This is for confident swimmers in strong shoes, with no shops or supervision inside. Wadis flood after heavy rain, mainly from October to March, so skip the trip when rain is forecast and for a day afterwards. Do not jump from rocks into pools.

Heat and timing

Summer highs are commonly above 40 degrees C and the FCDO notes that extreme heat has caused deaths in Oman. From May to September, do outdoor activities at dawn or dusk and save wadi hikes for the cooler months.

To compare snorkel and boat departures, try Muscat dolphin and snorkel trips . The permit rules are set out in Ministerial Decision 62/2019 .