Add dates

Muscat Nature & adventure

Our most recommended Muscat Nature & adventure

From Muscat: Wadi Shab & Bimmah Sinkhole Full-Day Tour

1. From Muscat: Wadi Shab & Bimmah Sinkhole Full-Day Tour

Discover the incredible oasis of Wadi Shab - one of the last places in Oman where you can chill in fresh blue water surrounded by mountains. Enjoy a rewarding full-day experience as you explore this spectacular waterfall in a cave. Start the tour with pick up from your hotel in Muscat. Hop into an air-conditioned vehicle and set off on a 2-hour scenic drive through the otherworldly landscapes of Oman. Along the route, stop at a local coffee shop to try an energizing Omani tea. When you arrive at your destination, hidden away in the canyon of the dry river Wadi-Shab, take a very quick boat ride to the other side of the bank. From here, embark on your 40-minute hike.  During the walk, experience the awesome power of nature which has forged the rock formations of this impressive canyon. Observe how the local farmers live and work, maintaining their crops in rough, rocky lands using the old irrigation system as their water supply. Be sure to bring along your waterproof cameras and shoes so that when you reach the lake you can snap some photos and walk around the magnificent site.  Admire the cascade of the waterfall and take a refreshing dip in the beautiful blue water to cool off from the heat. On the way back, stop to see a beautiful lake located in the Bimmah Sinkhole.  Finally, return to the vehicle and begin the drive back to Muscat where you will be dropped off at your hotel and the tour concludes.

From Muscat: Dimaniyat Islands Snorkeling Tour

2. From Muscat: Dimaniyat Islands Snorkeling Tour

Discover one of the jewels of Oman, the Dimaniyat Islands, on a boat tour from Muscat. Snorkel in a beautiful, UNESCO-protected nature reserve and admire the abundant sea life. Begin your day with pickup anywhere in Muscat before the Al Seeb area and transfer to the marina for the 70-kilometer (43.5-mile) journey northwest to the Dimaniyat Islands. Onboard, enjoy the scenic views of Muscat and the coastline, as well as unlimited soft drinks and water. Once at the Dimaniyat Islands, explore the nature reserve and stop in two different places for snorkeling. Keep your eyes peeled for sea turtles, corals, and, if you're lucky, sharks, eels, and dolphins. Have the chance to find Nemos (clownfish) and see other different species of colored fish, too.

Muscat: Wadi Shab and Bimah Sinkhole Tour with Audio Guide

3. Muscat: Wadi Shab and Bimah Sinkhole Tour with Audio Guide

After being picked up from your hotel, the tour will begin from Shatti Al-Qurum (next to the Intercontinental Hotel). From here, your tour will take you through the mountainous and desert landscape. Your driver will show you how to use the audio guide system to benefit the GPS enabled commentary that follows the tour. You will pass the coastal township of Quriyat before reaching Wadi Shab after an approximately 1.5-hour drive, after which your guide will take you for a 45-minute walk to reach the natural pools and cave. You will be permitted some time to swim in the area's clear, sparkling waters, before returning to the base after walking for another 45 minutes. You will spend 3 hours in the Wadi, which will include lunch at the Wadi Shab Resort. Following lunch, you will continue traveling through the village of Finns. You will discover its famous white sand beaches, as you drive the coastal scenic route to reach the dramatic Bimah Sinkhole, a miracle of nature, where you will be able to swim in its half-salted water. You will then commence your journey back to Muscat with a smooth drive after an active nature day in Oman. Your tour will later end in Shatti Al Qurum, from where you will transfer back to your hotel.

From Muscat: 4-Day Oman Highlights Tour

4. From Muscat: 4-Day Oman Highlights Tour

Be introduced to Oman's history, culture, and stunning natural landscapes on this multi-day trip from Muscat. Go on an adventure in the desert, try traditional foods, explore the Nakhl and Nizwa fortresses, and watch the sunset as you camp in the desert on this trip. Day 1 Get picked up from anywhere in Muscat and drive to visit the beautiful Nakhl Fortress. Lying amongst mountain foothills in a small village with extensive date palm plantations, this magnificent 350-year-old fortress rises out of the mountain rock, towering high above the ancient village, as if still warning would-be attackers of its ominous strength. Tour the inside of the restored fortress and visit all the rooms which have been decorated in their original style. Learn about the network of hidden escape routes and secret passages that riddle the structure. Admire an outstanding view from the top of the fortress over the mountains and green date plantations. From there, drive into the Wadi Bani Awf, a picturesque dry valley. Pass by the impressive Wadi Canyons and several small villages on a scenic 1.5-hour drive before continuing up the road leading into the Jebel Shams Mountains. Enjoy the adventurous, off-road drive up the mountain and take in fantastic views of the valley below. Then head to Nizwa where you'll stay for the night. Day 2 Get an early start to visit the famous Nizwa Souq, a traditional market that is among the largest of its kind in Oman. A wide variety of vendors offer their goods in the streets of the souk from 5:00 am to about 10:00 am each morning. Peruse stalls selling fish, meat, vegetables, pottery, jewelry, handicrafts, and souvenirs clustered in authentic old market halls. Especially interesting is the Friday cattle market when the locals from nearby villages come to sell their donkeys, goats, cattle, sheep, and chickens in a circus-style open marketplace. Next to the Souq is Nizwa Fortress. The fort is a museum today and offers splendid views of the ancient town and surrounding mountains. Wander around the impressive fortress and visit its many rooms, passages, and towers. Learn how the fort stands as an architectural testimony to the economic and military achievements of the early Yaruba dynasty from the mid-17th century. Imagine how perilous it was to walk the corridors during the times when numerous traps were laid to deter any intruders that might have penetrated the outer defenses. In the afternoon, head out to the Wahiba Sands desert for a relaxing night of desert camping. Go on an adventurous 4x4 sand dune drive and watch the stunning desert sunset from the top of one of the biggest dunes. Finish the day with dinner at the camp and a relaxing evening around a romantic campfire before heading to your tent for the night. Day 3 After a relaxing, slow breakfast in the desert camp, get underway to Wadi Bani Khalid, one of the biggest and most beautiful desert valleys in Oman. Spend time swimming, sunbathing, and having a picnic in the scenic wadi canyons. Drive on to Sur for a short city tour before continuing to Ras al Hadd to check in to your accommodation for the night. In the evening, visit the turtle sanctuary at Ras Al Jinz. Go on a beautiful walking tour of the beach under the stars and spot the great sea turtles that stumble onto the beaches of Oman to build nests and lay their eggs. If you are lucky, you might even see baby turtles hatching from some nests. Day 4 On the last day, head to Wadi Shab, an enormous canyon gorge lined with palm trees and impressive indications of the power of the water that periodically rushes down from the mountains. Go on a 45-minute hike through the canyon to reach the first of several crystal-clear water pools. Take a leisurely swim through the warm water from pool to pool until you reach the last one where an opening in the enormous rocks allows you to swim into a narrow cave with a small waterfall. Marvel at the speckles of sunlight that filter in, turning the water a beautiful turquoise blue color, and the water showering down one side of the cave from the Wadi beyond. In the late afternoon, drive back to Muscat.

Oman: Wahiba and Wadi Bani Khaled Private Trip

5. Oman: Wahiba and Wadi Bani Khaled Private Trip

To start your full-day visit to Oman, board a 4WD vehicle and get ready to visit the most fantastic wadi. Head towards Fanjah, where you will have the time to make a photo stop to snap some great pictures fo the wadi and marvelous oasis.  Drive through the Sumail Gap that divides the Western and Eastern Hajars, past the ruins of Al Mansfah old mercantile community near Ibra. Head towards Wadi Bani Khalid. Drive past a village with endless plantations before you reach the magnificent Wadi. The pools are cool and deep, filled with silky water perfect for a long swim.  Move on to Wahiba's undulating golden sands to enjoy the experience of dune bushing with your experienced guide. Let your guide show you his talent in driving across the dunes of wahiba, take memorial photos for you and your family, and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before you return to Muscat.

Muscat: Wadi Shab and Bimmah Sinkhole Private Full-Day Tour

6. Muscat: Wadi Shab and Bimmah Sinkhole Private Full-Day Tour

Wadi Shab is one of the last places in Oman where you can chill in fresh blue water surrounded by mountains. The true reward of this full-day experience is the waterfall in the cave; locals say it's an oasis. To discover this amazing destination, hidden away in the canyon of the dry river Wadi-Shab, begin the tour with a two-hour drive from Muscat. Along the way, take in the truly otherworldly landscapes of Oman.  Stop at a local coffee shop to try an energizing Omani tea before arriving to the destination. After a very quick boat ride to the other side of the bank, embark on a 40-minute hiking journey. The canyon will show you not only the power of nature, but also the lifestyle of local farmers. To this day, farmers do their rocking in rough, rocky lands, using the old irrigation system as their water supply. Bring along your waterproof cameras and shoes, because, when you reach the lake, you'll want to snap some photos and walk around through the magnificent site. On the way back, stop to see a beautiful lake located in a sinkhole.

From Khasab: Half day Snorkeling tour with Dolphin Watching

7. From Khasab: Half day Snorkeling tour with Dolphin Watching

Traditionally Decorated Omani Dhow Cruise takes you to the Khor Sham Fjord, where the natural community of dolphins is welcoming you to the silence of the sea, and we do have an anchoring point for snorkeling and swimming near the historical Telegraph Island. Swim and snorkel among the colorful sea life and underwater life in Telegraph; one of the best ways to make yourself happy in the present is to recall happy times from the past. During your full-day Khasab cruise with us, you will have the opportunity to see a parade of large marine life finned along the edge of a reef wall. The guests will be offered safety jackets and snorkeling kits as a part of the tour, and indeed, you will have refreshments on board. Inclusions:- Pick up & Drop off from hotels in Khasab / Khasab Cruise terminal 3 Hours Dhow Cruise Dedicated Guest Relation crew (English Speaking /Language Speaking Guide if required) Soft Drinks & Mineral Water Fresh Fruits &Assorted Packed Snacks Life Jackets & Snorkeling Kits 1 Stops for Swimming and snorkeling High possibility to see natural community of Dolphins Exclusions :- Tips and personal expenses Pickup from UAE (Will be charged extra) UAE Exit fee & Oman Visa fee

Hajar Mountains: Private Day Trip from Muscat

8. Hajar Mountains: Private Day Trip from Muscat

Begin your tour driving through the Hajar Mountains to the township of Nizwa, which is the ancient capital of Oman. Visit Nizwa Fort and the traditional Souk.  Next, travel through the deep Wadi Ghul and arrive at Jebel Shams, Mountain of the Sun, which is the undisputed lord of the mountains. Jebel Shams is the highest peak of the Jebel Al Akhdar mountain range, soaring 3,000 meters above sea level. This is the Grand Canyon of Oman and provides spectacular scenery, ancient rock carvings, and remote villages.  Continue your tour to the beautiful old village of Misfah, perched on the side of a mountain where narrow ancient stone pathways lead you into the valley below. Have lunch at a restaurant where you can savor local delicacies at the top of the mountain. Afterward, explore the ancient labyrinth of the region of Al Hamra before your return trip to Muscat.

Oman's Grand Canyon: Full-Day Tour from Muscat

9. Oman's Grand Canyon: Full-Day Tour from Muscat

Your full-day excursion begins with a drive in the direction of Jabal Shams, the second-highest peak in the Arabic Gulf, at a height of over 2,000 meters. A 30-minute off-road drive will take you to Wadi Ghul, also known as Oman's Grand Canyon. If you like you can take a short walk or even a mountain bike ride in this dramatic wadi area. Experience a journey through more than a half billion years of geological time. Next, you’ll visit the mountain village of Misfah to admire examples of ancient architecture, as seen in its stone houses. A paved road leads up to the village, and during the drive you’ll have views of traditional houses standing on the mountain, which looks like a turban atop the date palm plantation. People continue to live in these houses, some of which are built on large rocks. The availability of water has ensured the preservation of this thriving village.

Oman: Jasmin Tour | 3 Days Private Package Tour

10. Oman: Jasmin Tour | 3 Days Private Package Tour

First, you'll explore the desert town of Fanya, and admire the ancient mud buildings amid a mountainous backdrop. Continue to the Old Town Mudhairib. The ruins here offer a wonderful photo opportunity. In bustling Ibra, you will stroll the local market and enjoy a midday repast before visiting its ancient village. A romantic night in a desert camp will rejuvenate you after an adventurous 4x4 sand dune drive, topped off by a stunning sunset over desert dunes and followed by a sumptuous dinner surrounded by the warmth of a campfire. On day 2, explore Wadi Bani Khalid, one of the biggest and most beautiful wadis in Oman. Swim, sunbathe, relax, or have a picnic in the scenic wadi canyons. Tour the sights of Sur, including a famous castle, and visit the Turtle sanctuary at Ras Al Jinz. Look for nesting sea turtles and, if you are lucky, baby turtles hatching. Proceed to the overnight hotel/camp in Ras al Hadd. The next day, after a photo stop at the The Tomb of Bibi Mariam (onetime host to Marco Polo) in Qalhat, you'll continue to Wadi Shab. This is an enormous canyon where you'll hike and bathe in the crystal clear pools, crevices, and even a stunning turquoise waterfall. On the way back to Muscat, see the incredible Bamah Sinkhole, believed to have been created by a meteor.

16 activities found
Sort by:

Frequently asked questions about Muscat

What are the best day trips and excursions from Muscat?

The best day trips and excursions from Muscat are:

Nizwa

Other Sightseeing Options in Muscat

Want to discover all there is to do in Muscat? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Muscat

Overall rating

4.3 / 5

based on 103 reviews

It is one of those things that is a must on your bucket list! Swimming in sync with nature on a beautiful sunny day, breathtaking! You need to experience it to understand it - no words enoough to describe it! I am still reliving the wonderful experience and moment every now and then in my life. I loved every minute of it swimming in between the rocks, places you'd never imagine to swim it was unbelievable.

Abdurahman was a great guide and the day was awesome, definitely my highlight of Oman. Just a tip though - being able to swim is quite important for this one. They do provide life jackets, but if you cannot steer and propel yourself in deep water then you will probably need a lot of help from your kind travel companions.

I just thought it was a shame that you couldn't go into the garden, resp. You had to pay more. It was also very full otherwise great.

Fantastic trip! The natural beauty of Wadi Shab is just incredible. It is a definite must see when in Oman.

Abdullah was a great tour guide who gave his max to make this an unforgettable experience. Thanks Abdullah!