oman diving safari

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Dive Safari / MY Oman Explorer

The popular liveaboard Oman Explorer (formerly Saman Explorer) is managed by Extra Divers Worldwide and has been sailing to the Sultanate's most beautiful diving areas since 2011. Depending on the season, north or south tours are offered. The spacious steel ship was completely renovated in summer 2015 and offers space for 22 divers in 11 comfortable cabins! The international crew consists of about 10 members and 1-2 dive guides, the language on board is English. In addition to a spacious dive deck and the air-conditioned saloon, there is a huge sun deck with shaded areas and a large, comfortable seating area on the upper deck. An overview of all tours and the prices can be found here: Trips & Prices

Oman Diving – Is It Worth Doing (And What You Need to Know)

• Last Updated: January 10, 2023

If you’ve ever wanted to check out the Oman diving sites, then don’t miss out on this review from our time spent diving in Oman!

Tucked into the south-eastern corner of the vast Arabian Peninsula, Oman is one of the Middle East’s untapped jewels: a land of sweeping sand dunes, saw-tooth mountain ranges and lush canyon oases. At first impression, it seems an unlikely diving destination.

But Oman also edges the sea for more than 3,000 kilometres, an epic coastline lapped by super-charged, nutrient-rich water feeding pristine coral reefs that are literally teeming with marine life.

As keen scuba divers, we’re always on the lookout for off-the-beaten track diving destinations , and it was this vibrant underwater world that captured our imaginations when we were planning a trip to Oman .

With limited time and a mission to get under the waves on an Oman diving adventure, we joined the crew at Extra Divers Qantab  for   a day of wreck and reef diving just thirty minutes south of the bustling capital, Muscat.

Table of Contents

Daymaniyat Islands & Fahal Island

Dive 1 – al munassir wreck, dive 2 – mermaid cove, dive 3 – seahorse bay, a sea of surprises, best season for oman diving, scuba diving in the gulf of oman.

The Gulf of Oman , which channels waters between the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea, is a strait with an age-old seafaring history.

Ancient boats called dhows still ply the waters here, while below the surface, an abundance of sea life bustles, from the tiniest coral dwellers and grazing sea turtles, to huge, shy whale sharks.

Sperm whales, humpbacks, blue whales, even the occasional orca pod are just some of the cetacean species that have been spotted cruising the Gulf, thrilling those lucky enough to be out on the water at the right moment. Dolphins make daily appearances.

Word is starting to get out about the thriving reefs and marine life to be found in Oman, but scuba diving is still a relatively new activity in the country.

Just a handful of dive centres run daily trips to the scuba hot spots, which dot the coast from Musandam in the north to Salalah in the far south.

In the Gulf, Oman’s most popular dive destinations cluster off the coast of Muscat: the UNESCO-listed Daymaniyat Islands, rocky Fahal Island, and the Al Munassir wreck and reefs of Bandar Kharyan.

Many scuba divers argue that the best diving in Oman is to be found at the Daymaniyat Islands, a 90-minute boat ride from Muscat.

The World Heritage archipelago protects turtle nesting beaches, marine bird colonies, and beautiful coral gardens full of fish.

Whale sharks visit the waters off the islands through summer and autumn, and divers stand a good chance of spotting the zebra shark, a smaller relative of the whale shark.

Closer to Muscat, the limestone wedge of Fahal Island, also called Shark Island, offers divers healthy soft and hard coral gardens, wrecks, a cave swim-through, and opportunities to see various species of shark resting on the sea floor.

READ MORE: Check out our comprehensive buyers guide to the best dive watches on the market today!

Both Daymaniyat and Fahal were initially in our sights, but with Daymaniyat’s distance and protections requiring advance planning by dive operators, minimum numbers needed for trips, and daily dive conditions setting the agenda, our lastminute approach meant it wasn’t to be.

The takeout? If you’re determined to dive the Daymaniyat archipelago, book well ahead. For both Daymaniyat and Fahal, make sure you have extra time to deal with any changes to your dive plans caused by weather and sea conditions.

The good news, as we went on to discover, is that Daymaniyat and Fahal aren’t the only awesome dive locations off the coast of Muscat.

Bandar Kharyan

The best of Muscat’s nearby dive sites lie just half an hour east of the city, on the reefs and wrecks of beautiful Bandar Kharyan.

Extra Divers’ Muscat dive centre is located in the village of Qantab, close to the Shangri-La Resort, and tucked away in a sheltered bay surrounded by mustard-coloured limestone cliffs that drop away to a turquoise sea.

On arrival, we were greeted by Barbara and Damiano, the dive centre’s enthusiastic managers, before being whisked off to fill out the requisite dive forms, meet the team – a multilingual band of Omani, Italian, German and Argentinian divers and crew – and get kitted out for our day under the waves of Bandar Kharyan.

More than a dozen regular dive sites pepper the coast here, along with the country’s showcase wreck dive, the Al Munassir, and the crew at Extra Divers Qantab know each of the area’s dive sites intimately.

Geared up in the centre’s quality dive kit and ready for adventure, we were soon cruising out of the harbour aboard a dive boat with ten others, en route to the first of our three dives along this ancient coastline.

Our first dive of the day was Al Munassir, Oman’s premier wreck dive: a 3,000-tonne navy landing vessel deliberately scuppered by the Royal Oman Navy in 2003 to become an artificial reef.

Onboard the boat, divemasters Faisal and Ari walked us through a detailed whiteboard briefing of the site.

It’s possible to dive without a guide at any of the sites in Bandar Kharyan, and the comprehensive site, safety and navigation briefing provided ahead of each dive by the team at Extra Divers ensures divers have all the information they need to safely explore each site with their buddy.

We opted for a guide anyway to max our opportunities for searching out the local marine characters and dive site highlights.

From the surface, we followed a chain into the greenish depths until the sharp bow of the Al Munassir emerged below us.

The wreck rests on the seabed complete and upright, 84 metres long and 30 metres deep at the keel. Ahead, we could see the ship’s watchtower standing tall in a shaft of sunlight, less than ten metres from the surface.

Dense schools of snapper eddied around us as we floated slowly over the bow. Within moments, Faisal was pointing out a long, honeycomb moray eel threading its way through the rusted, coral-covered equipment on the deck.

Up close, we found the ship covered in a thick coat of sponges and corals, attracting grazing boxfish, angel fish, delicate nudibranches, and plenty of toothy morays hiding in dark corners.

Passing through a chilly thermocline to the ship’s keel, we searched out the twitching eyes and circular depressions of stingrays buried in the sand, while above us, tight schools of silvery fish dodged and weaved in the greenish light.

Before we knew it, we’d circumnavigated the entire wreck and our time was up. Back on deck we were buzzing, the sheer volume of fish life on and around the ship was a thrill, and an awesome introduction to the Oman diving experience.

A little over an hour later, we dropped into our second dive in the rocky bay of Mermaid Cove. The water here was crystal clear and 27 degrees.

On this lovely, easy dive, we explored a healthy reef of hard and soft corals bustling with fish life. Juvenile barracuda zipped by while territorial clown fish defended their pink-tipped anemone homes. Closer inspections of the reef revealed lobsters, delicate pipefish, tiny anemone shrimp, nudibranches, and eels in almost every nook.

Towards the end of the dive, we came across a grazing green sea turtle. Encounters with these shy creatures are always exciting, and with Oman being one of the world’s turtle nesting epicentres, the prospects of seeing one on a dive are high.

Five of the world’s seven sea turtle species can be found in the waters off Oman, and four of the species return each year to their beaches of birth along this stretch of coast to lay their own eggs.

Only a fraction of the hatchlings survive the arduous journey from egg to adulthood though, and – with other pressures also threatening marine turtle populations globally – these docile animals are today at risk of disappearing, making a chance sighting like this one even more special.

Oman’s vibrant underwater world owes much to the sea’s nutrient-rich plankton soup, which attracts creatures right up the food chain. For Oman diving, that means an abundance of sea life to get excited about, but it can also mean highly changeable visibility.

With two awesome dives under our weight belt, our third dive of the day was a case in point.

Under a scorching afternoon sun, we back-rolled off the boat into the clear, warm water of Seahorse Bay. As we finned away along the rocky reef, the water started to cloud and within seconds we were swimming through a thick haze, with visibility just a couple of metres.

While low-vis diving can be disorienting and sometimes disconcerting, it can also be a revelation, the kind of diving that forces you to narrow your focus and concentrate on the action on the reef right in front of you.

It was there in Seahorse Bay too, by the bucketload.

Keeping each other close and our guide Damiano in sight, we spent the next hour peering under rocks at countless moray eels, spying tiny anemone shrimp, colourful nudibranches and flighty blennies, all the while facing off against belligerent clown fish.

Throughout the entire dive, clouds of schooling fish billowed around our small group, while the loud crackling soundtrack of the reef accompanied us.

In the rocky shallows towards the end of the dive, with the visibility clearing, Damiano tapped his tank. Within moments, a dozen lightning fast shots of grey darted past: baby black-tip reef sharks, sleek and beautiful with dark racing stripes down their flanks. With a flick of their tails, they disappeared into the depths, a thrilling finale to our last dive of the day.

Back on shore, with the heat finally dipping, we swapped excited sightings with other divers as we washed our gear. Our day of diving at Bandar Kharyan had offered us a tantalising glimpse into an exciting, emerging dive destination in an incredible country still flying largely under the tourist radar.

The experience was made even better by the fun and lively team at Extra Divers Qantab , with their professional, well organised, safety-first approach.

For us, diving in Oman was both unexpected and unpredictable; chilled one dive and challenging the next. It’s a place where no dive is ever the same, no two underwater experiences alike. Damiano captured it perfectly as we said our farewells: “it’s a sea of surprises.”

Diving is possible year-round along the Gulf of Oman. In the south however, a monsoon season – locally called the ‘khareef’ – affects the region from around June to September, with no diving off Salalah during this period.

Taking various factors into account, like the scorching summer heat and cool winter water temps, April to May and September to October are said to offer the best combination of surface and sea temperatures for diving in the north, with May better for visibility, and September to November the best months for whale shark encounters. This is Oman diving though, expect the unexpected.

We discovered Oman’s underwater world in collaboration with Extra Divers Qantab. All thoughts, opinions and clown fish stand-offs are our own 

Danielle And John

Hi, We’re Alesha and Jarryd!

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“ Great peaceful week on the water . I had a great week on the Brown Dhow (well, technically it was the Blue Dhow in the end). Awesome crew, stunning views of the landscape from the boat, and first-rate diving in a part of the world where fishing only appears to be small-scale… I have seen things underwater that I haven’t seen anywhere else yet! Warmly recommended !” Recommended for: The crew, the abundance of life on the reefs and the landscep views from the dhow.

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Article written by Russell Bowyer who has been a scuba diver since diving on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia in 1989. After his first dive he trained as a BSAC diver in the UK. He attained his Diver Leader certification with BSAC. He then went on to become a scuba diving instructor, teaching others how to dive and was voted as Diving Officer and Treasurer for the Saffron Walden BSAC club too. Russell has dived all over the world, including the UK, on liveaboards in the Red Sea , the Caribbean, South Africa and the USA. Russell is experienced in all dive types, including drift diving, deep dives that involved decompression stops and recreational dives too.

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Middle east, latin america, australasia & pacific islands.

Luxury Diving Holidays in Oman

A diving holiday to Oman offers something very different from the neighbouring Red Sea. Whilst the visibility is lower due to plankton-rich waters (generally 5-20m), emerald green in colour, marine life is abundant and fascinating ecosystems await. With around 250 species of coral and 1,000 fish species, divers can explore from the Musandam Peninsula and Muscat on beautiful coral reefs, right down to Salalah and Mirbat where kelp forests and boulders make up most of the topography. A diving holiday to Oman is suitable for all levels of diver and in particular an excellent destination for families to learn to dive. If time is of the essence for UK travellers, Oman presents a wonderful diving destination in under 10 hours flight time and a wealth of luxury hotels with phenomenal service.   

school of sweetlips

anchor & diver

Dolphin cruise with Extra Divers

schooling snapper

spotted stingray

whale watching

Schooling fish.

Accessed from Dubai on just a two-hour car drive and separated from the rest of Oman, the Musandam Peninsula boasts stunning fjords shadowed by the arid Hajar mountains with dive sites waiting to be explored beneath the waves. From the secluded Six Senses Zighy Bay, scuba diving can be enjoyed across 10 dive sites along this dramatic coastline whilst staying in the lap of luxury. Rarely another dive boat in sight, divers will come across eagle rays, turtles, boxfish, honeycomb eels and most notably, the reefs are cloaked in rare purple, blue and yellow soft corals. The best dive site, Octopus Rock, is well known for its resident seahorses.   

Some of the best dive sites in Oman are to be found from Muscat. The Daymaniyat Islands can be reached on a day trip, where 12 dive sites are littered with healthy corals and sightings include turtles, rays, leopard sharks and very occasionally, whale sharks. The string of nine, uninhabited islands are striking against the bejewelled ocean, making for the perfect lunch spot between dives.  

The better kept secret for a diving holiday in Oman is just outside of Muscat, accessed from Muscat Bay. The beautiful dive sites of Bandar Al Khairan and Fahal Island are home to a plethora of reef fish, schooling barracuda, moray eel species, rays, colourful nudibranchs and Al Munassir wreck which is overflowing with fish, rays and macro life. Snorkelling opportunities are also excellent in the region, with a great number of turtles in the shallows at Turtle Bay and even the possibility of seahorses.   

Heading to Salalah in the very far south of the country, unique scuba diving awaits on the kelp forests close to the shore from Salalah to Mirbat and further afield accessed only by liveaboard, the Hallaniyat Islands are home to untouched dive sites where divers can see humpback whales, manta rays, sperm whales, large schools of dolphins, mobulas and more. This little-known region is continually being discovered and divers can expect the unexpected.

Beyond the Reef

The beauty of a diving holiday to Oman is that there is so much more to explore easily from the coast, whether on a day trip or adding on a few nights to your tailor-made itinerary. Sleep under the stars in the desert in a private luxury camp, explore the dramatic Hajar mountains from a stunning boutique hotel with awe-inspiring views. From the south, take a 4x4 trip to the Empty Quarter exploring wadis, the Land of Frankincense UNESCO site and the russet red sand dunes of the Rub al Khali. Families, couples, honeymooners, friends, solo travellers...adventures in Oman can be designed to suit any traveller and at Reefscape, we know exactly how to do just that.   

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Scuba diving in Oman

OMAN DIVING HIGHLIGHTS

Oman is perfect for beginners as it offers simple and calm diving. You can enjoy its warm waters as well as the abundant marine and coral life. The waters are home to twenty-two species of whales and dolphins. They also have some great dive sites where you can see many species of colorful tropical fish and hard and soft coral.  

Marine Life & Environment - Top Dive Spots - Diving Conditions

How to Get There  -  How to Dive Oman  -  Best Time to Dive

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INTRO TO OMAN

The Sultanate of Oman is located on the peninsula of the Arabian Sea. It borders the United Arab Emirates in the northwest, Saudi Arabia in the west, and Yemen in the southwest. With its rich heritage, varied wildlife and friendly people, Oman definitely offers more than just the desert!  

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Diving Information 

Oman marine life   .

Expect to see a wide variety of soft and hard corals, nudibranchs and reef fish in this area. You'll also have the chance to see numerous whale and dolphin species, turtles, rays and sharks, including whitetip reef sharks, green and hawksbill turtles and even spinner and bottlenose dolphins!  

Diving Conditions

• Water Temperature: Water temperatures range from 19-28°C/66-82°F.
• Visibility: 15-30 m/50-100 feet
• Depth Range: Typical maximum depths range from 20-28m / 66-92 feet

Dive Sites 

Here are some of the best diving spots in Oman:

• 1. Daymaniyat Islands, Muscat – This area circled by coral reefs and is a nature reserve and an important turtle nesting site. You’ll be surrounded by abundant fish and glide over lush coral reefs down to 30 meters/100 feet. Aside from turtles, you'll also see rays and reef sharks.
• 2. Fahal Island, Muscat – This small island offers excellent diving with reefs down to 40 meters/130 feet. Due to frequent sightings of sharks on the adjacent sandbanks, people also call it Shark Island.
• 3. Bander Khayran, Muscat – While the diving is mostly on shallow coral reefs, the area also features a few drop-offs and one of the best wreck dives in Oman - the Al Munnassir. This 276-foot vessel was sunk by the government as an artificial reef and now lies upright about 100 feet of water. The vessel is now home to giant morays, large schools of snapper and goatfish, turtles and rays.
• 4. Lima Rock, Musandam – You’ll find coral encrusted walls to depths of 20 meters/66 feet along with caves and crevices created by erosion of the limestone substrate. Schools of jack and tuna are common in this area and whale sharks may be seen in the cooler months.
• 5. The Caves, Musandam – This site provides hiding spots for spiny lobster, cleaner shrimp and other creatures from the turtles cruising by. Rays and sharks find perfect daytime resting place at the sandy bottom of the caves.

Travel Information 

How to get there .

Virtually all international flights arrive at Muscat International Airport (MCT) in Muscat. There are also a small number of regional international flights to Salalah (SLL), the only other airport in the country. If you fly into Muscat, you can take Oman Air to fly to Salalah. Buses are a cheap and safe option to reach your destination. They travel regularly between Muscat, Salalah, Sohar, Sur and Mizwa.  

How to Dive Oman

There are excellent resorts with dive centers and liveaboards available in Oman.  

Best Time to Dive

Although you can dive year round, the best time to go is from April to October with visibility well over 10 meters. September and October are considered as the 'whale shark season'. The winter months are not the best time to dive as the water temperature falls below 68 degrees F and the visibility can be quite bad.

Topside & Non-Diving Activities

• Historic forts
• Oman's rugged mountains, offering some stunning scenery and great opportunities for driving in dry wadis
• Huge desert dunes
• Nice beaches

LIVEABOARD AVAILABILITY

Other useful information , practical information.

• Currency: Omani Rial (OMR)
• Language: The official language is Arabic but English is widely spoken at resorts
• Main Airport Code: MCT
• Time Zone: UTC+4
• Electricity: 240 volts, 50Hz

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Underwater oasis: where to dive in Oman

Aug 9, 2018 • 5 min read

Hawksbill turtle among purple whip coral in Oman with blue background

With more than 2000km of coastline, Oman is a spectacular dive destination with many of the same species of coral and marine life as the Red Sea, but a fraction of the visitors.

What lures scuba divers to Oman’s underwater world is the greatest diversity of marine species in the Arabian Sea, which includes schools of mobula rays, 22 species of whales and dolphins and a rainbow of soft corals home to thousands of reef fish. Dive below the surface to discover these six sites where you can swim amongst unspoiled underwater oases.

Daymaniyat Islands: best for hawksbill sea turtles

The Daymaniyat Islands are the jewel of diving in Oman. The islands are the world’s densest nesting ground for hawksbill sea turtles, and this, coupled with the islands’ pristine coral gardens, astounding coral walls and the abundance of marine life put Oman on the diving world’s radar. The archipelago of nine rocky islands accessible from Muscat was designated the first marine reserve in Oman. The nutrient-rich waters attract abundant marine life to the area, and it’s even possible to dive alongside whale sharks during the cooler months. It’s an excellent dive site for all experience levels and even snorkellers. Note that the Daymaniyat Islands are closed from May to October annually to protect them.

Al Fahal Island: best for mobula rays and sharks

A limestone rock that was part of the seafloor millions of years ago, Al Fahal Island was uncovered by the changing sea levels, much to divers’ delight. The schools of black tip reef sharks that love the shallow sandbanks around Al Fahal, located just 4km off Muscat’s Al Qurum Beach, earn the island its nickname of Shark Island. It’s a dive location that’s like jumping in to an aquarium. All 39 varieties of coral that have been found in Oman occur here, making it one of the most beautiful reefs to dive in the country. Schools of barracuda swim overhead, giant eagle rays glide past and large groups of mobula rays perform underwater acrobatics. All dive experience levels can enjoy this site, and regular divers to Oman don’t hesitate to name it their favourite.  

Bandar Khayran: best for honeycomb moray eels

Bandar Khayran is dramatic both above and below the sea, with several different dive sites located all relatively close together in a series of stunning sheltered white sand bays and deserted coves only accessible by boat 25km southeast of Muscat. Massive honeycomb moray eels, one of the largest species, protrude from the many holes and caves in and around the corals. Bandar Khayran is predominantly shallow coral reefs with an average depth of 15m, making it excellent for all divers, and it’s a common site for divers completing open water certifications.

Al Munnassir: best for nudibranches

Al Munnassir is a 3000-tonne English trooper wreck that was purposely sunk by the Royal Navy of Oman in 2003 off the coast of Muscat to create an artificial reef. It’s 84m long and 14.5m wide, and has slowly developed in to a fascinating dive site. Although a relatively new reef, it’s already smothered in corals and teeming with marine life. Divers love this site for hunting for nudibranches, a tiny, colourful type of slow-moving shell-less sea slug, and it's also exceptional for spotting seahorses and soft corals. An advanced open water certification is required to dive Al Munnassir.

Turtle City: best for beginner divers

Oman is home to five of the world’s seven sea turtle species, and at Turtle City, the dive site adjacent to Al Munnassir along the rock falls and sea walls, green turtles and hawksbills are plentiful. It’s common even to spot the curious turtles coming to the surface before diving in. This dive site is suitable for any dive certification level, and it’s particularly perfect for beginner divers because of the its position in a calm, sheltered cove.

Mirbat: best for big dolphins and whales

Head 1000km south of Muscat to Mirbat in Oman’s Dhofar Governorate, and it’s as though you’ve arrived in an entirely different country, both above and below the sea. While the Daymaniyat Islands and Muscat are a coral reef haven, Mirbat is a playground for 22 species of dolphins and whales.

The Dhofar Governorate is a complete contrast to the rest of Oman . The annual  khareef , or summer monsoon season, turns the dry desert landscape into a lush green oasis with gushing waterfalls suddenly pouring out of the mountains. There’s a transformation beneath the surface too, as the monsoon brings cold swells and dramatic underwater temperature drops. Mirbat is one of the only places in the world where you can see both corals and kelp forests.

In the waters of Mirbat divers can often dive right alongside dolphins and humpback whales. Starfish, cuttlefish and giant nudibranches are common. The dive centres in Mirbat close from May through September, when the waters become too rough from the conditions created by the khareef . Take care even toward the end of the dive season, as the water and swells can be extremely rough. Because of low visibility, big marine animals and rough seas, Mirbat is best for divers with a fair amount of dives in their log books.

Tips for organising a diving trip in Oman

• Diving in Oman is best from October through May when the seas are warm and calm. Each dive sites varies greatly, but generally expect 5-30m visibility  and water temperatures of 19-28°C.
• Whale shark season is from September through October.
• It’s best to book the first dive trip of the day for the most favorable conditions.
• There are several dive centres in Oman, with the majority located around Muscat. There are excellent resorts with on-site dive centres such as Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa , with Extra Divers Qantab located in their Shangri-La Marina. Extra Divers Mirbat are the diving experts in the Dhofar Governorate. The world-known liveaboard Aggressor also added Oman to their destinations in 2017.
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions when choosing a dive centre. A good outfit will be happy to communicate with you in advance of your trip, answer all your questions about their equipment, certifications and services offered. If they don’t have time for you before you arrive, it’s a pretty good indication of how you’ll be treated throughout the entire dive experience.
• Ask whether towels are provided and if there is drinking water on board the dive boat.
• Full equipment rental is available from many dive centres, though having and packing a few basic pieces of your own equipment like a mask and wetsuit can make your dive much more comfortable.

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Oman Aggressor, Oman

• 8.9 Fabulous 29 Verified Reviews
• Nitrox available

Excellent food and drinks “All” Catherine S, France

• Seven or ten-night itineraries diving Oman and Musandam
• Luxury accommodations
• Up to 4 dives per day available

The Oman Aggressor offers luxury liveaboard accommodation and caters for up to 22 divers in 11 spacious staterooms. Each cabin features individually controlled AC,a private en-suite bathroom, 32 inch flat-screen TV with a large choice of entertainment channels, fresh towels and hair-dryer. Social areas around the yacht include the large salon and dining area and sun-deck with jacuzzi, sun loungers, deck chairs and bar, as well as a complete video and photo centre. Hungry divers will be catered to with a varied menu of local and international dishes, as well as snacks throughout the day. Water, soft drinks and fruit juices are complimentary, as well as a limited selection of local beer and wine.

Join the Oman Aggressor yacht for a unique 7 or 10-night itinerary to the Daymaniyat Islands, Musandam Peninsula or Hallaniyat Islands in Oman. Offering year-round diving to the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea, divers may be lucky enough to encounter amazing marine life such as whale sharks, mola mola, humpback whales, sperm whales, dolphins, manta rays, sharks, turtles and much much more. Divers can expect to complete up to 5 dives per day and 2 tenders are on hand for quick and easy access to the dive sites. The large dive deck located at the back of the boat offers ample storage space, rinse tanks and underwater camera set-up areas.

Call us or book online today to start planning your memorable dive safari aboard the Oman Aggressor yacht.

Choose your departure date

Included: VAT, Alcoholic Beverages, Drinking Water, Soft drinks, Tea & Coffee, Wine with Dinner, Full-Board Meal Plan (All meals), Snacks, Diving Package, Cabin Towels, Complimentary Toiletries, Deck Towels.

Required Extras: National Park Fees (200 USD per trip), Port Fees, Visas and Fees.

Optional Extras: Dive Insurance, Travel Insurance, Gratuities, Airport Transfer (35 USD per trip), Hotel Transfer (35 USD per trip), Extra Dives, Nitrox Course, Rental Gear , Scuba Diving Courses, Snorkel Gear.

Book now, pay later: You can easily place your booking online. We will then hold the spaces for you and you can confirm with a payment later.

* Extra fees are shown per person.

Pay by bank transfer or online with Best Price Guaranteed

Boat features

• Camera Station
• Audio & video entertainment
• TV in cabins
• Air Conditioned saloon
• Aircon Cabins
• Indoor Saloon
• Non-Diver (Snorkeler) Friendly
• Warm Water Showers
• Camera room with table and charging point
• Custom built for diving
• Charging stations
• En-Suite bathrooms
• Non-Smoking Rooms
• Outside Showers
• Seaview Cabins
• Snorkeling Equipment
• Separate Rinse for u/w Camera
• Dedicated Local & International Crew
• Jacuzzi / Hot Tub

Food & Drinks

• Western Food
• Buffet style
• Beer available
• Snacks All Day
• Free Wine w/Dinner
• Free Soft Drinks
• Fine Cuisine
• Full-board Option

If you have any specific dietary requirements whilst on-board your cruise, you can add this to your special requests on step 2 of the booking form. We advise limiting these requests to religious beliefs or food allergies.

• Tenders for diving
• Shaded Diving Area

The crew speaks English.

Gear Rental

There is diving gear available on this boat. Please provide your rental needs on the booking form. See below for further details on inclusions and pricing. Show prices .

Drawings & Vessel Layouts

Accommodation.

Deluxe Staterooms 1 - 6

Master Staterooms 8 - 9

Master Staterooms 10 - 11

Boat Specifications

• Length 148 ft
• Max guests 22
• Number of cabins 11
• Number of bathrooms 11

Boat Navigation and Safety

• Radio VHF/DSC/SSB
• E.P.I.R.B. Distress System
• Emergency Rafts
• Fire Alarm & Fire Extinguishers
• First Aid Kits
• Satellite & mobile phones
• Bilge pump alarm
• Search light
• Crew trained in first aid
• Emergency flares

Oman Aggressor Reviews

• 8.9 Fabulous
• 29 Verified Reviews
• Catherine S

Verey good 1 week diving trip to the Halliniyat Islands

• 10 Exceptional

Love, love, love it!

BEST. TRIP. EVER.. This was our 4th Aggressor adventure. We LOVE Aggressor adventures. We had been on other livaboards, but since we discovered Aggressor, we don’t dive with any one else. Would like to do this trip again. Could you please have exactly the same crew on board? Every single crew member were the best!!!!! Also, save that suite for us! Mustafa found cuttlefish for us on our very last dive. Our favorite. The dive masters were all terrific. Such personalities. Fun, & knowledgeable to be with. They also got me with the “chocolate cake “. Our kids absolutely loved that part of the video.

• 8.0 Very good

Comfortable new location dive experience

Octopus and eels and scorpion fish abound. Interesting dive topography. A beautiful zebra shark.

• 9.6 Exceptional

Luxury dives in small gröops through big swarms

Oman is not Yap, so much plankton and poor visibility. Thats way I saw much more fishes than in Yap there, bigger swarms of classical omani fish. Not the kind of big fives, but just intakt reefs, corals, and swarms of small and middle size fishes, which got bigger sizes than in Egypt. A wonderfully very attentive crew, the small group of 7 divers, an cabin upgrade - just holidays as you really want to spend one more.

A wonderful way to go for a different ocean to dive in

Swimming with a whaleshark Meeting 50 + dolphins a pair of nice ppl i met aboard

Super good crew

Tranquility is a very spacious liveaboard. Dive deck is the less spacious area but no problem with that. Divers were divided into three groups because there were two spacious ribs so one group was waiting until first one was ready and went to the dive deck for loading. Good solution. Saloon has two large sofa groups and big dining area. Second floor has also two sofa groups and fridge full of beer, whitewine and soft drinks. This floor has also suite rooms and captains area. We had the biggest one and it is just great. Lots of space and cabinets/drawers to place all your stuff. Interesting points is that sink was in the room though it left more space to toilet and shower. On top of master suite is four sun chairs. Third floor has sun deck and large sofa group to relax. Dive operations went well and all general safety issues were covered on the first day and before the first dive basic diving safety rules. Briefing gave good picture about the planned dive and dive site. Food was the best, or at least second best, we have been eating on any liveaboard. Lots of variation and different tastes. I would say that only minus, very small one, is that there were no cheese or cold cuts on breakfast. I have to say that if you feel hunger it is not up to kitchen. Service was excellent from every perspective. When gearing or ungearing you get helping hands at lightning speed without asking any help. Nice thing was that before and after dive one guy was serving water or juice and after the night dive hot chokolate. That was great. As summary we had the best crew ever and very comfortable boat.

My friend and I both did this trip and we absolutely loved it.

First of all, the crew and seamen were amazing. They helped us with all our equipment when getting ready for dives. They were always giving us water or refreshments before and after dives. They were outstanding!! The beds to the cabin were fairly hard if you are not use to a stiff bed. But we asked for another comforter to lay on bottom and that made it much better. The dive guides Shaker, Mostafa, and Sabrina were are very wonderful and made the diving even better. The chef and pastry chef were both amazing and accomplished us when asked for different foods due to dietary needs. I can’t say enough about the crew and customer service they provided. The diving was good, sometimes the visibility was bad due to weather but that’s to be expected. We saw a lot of octopus and honeycomb eels. No sharks which surprised me. One group saw humpback whales when diving, we saw from the boat.

Unbelievable liveaboard experience and taken care of by a wonderful boat crew

Great tour manager Shaker with his dive guides Mustafa and Iounis (very calm & helpful & supportive). Dive sites were selected providing all experience levels a chance to dive, together with flexible group assemblies. Seeing leopard shark, big cuddle fish and similar creatures was amazing. Boat never felt overcrowded. Plenty of space and breaks in between dives. Very attentive seamen when gearing up and on all tender dives super helpful. Very funny and super cool. Even in storm situation all crew & Captain Alaa Mohammed were very professional and calm. Food was plentiful & delicious with a good mix of international and local dishes, desserts were lovely and tasty. Chef Abdallah & pastry chef did great job creating several times a day delicious meals and snags. Stewards Sunny & Falex were very pleasant smiling staff by sometimes invisibility serving our food or clearing the table. Were always ready to help us find a snag, dring or the famous after-dive shakes when we were still in our wetsuits. The room cleanliness was spotless. For us incredible what the 2 did unnoticed but important. Captain Alaa navigated us safely and showcased his stoic calmness & experience even during a overnight storm when danger was close. The seamen on board seemed to be like never stopping ants always making sure everything is working, clean and safe. As we know this tour goes every week with new guests and this magnifies our compliments even more, since we felt very special and entirely taken care of. We wish manager Shaker, Captain Alaa and the entire crew all the best and with you we will go on a liveaboard anytime again (despite the see sickness)

Great week diving

Dive companions and dive hosts

• Catherine N

Good trip in spite of the weather!

Cuttlefish, octopuses, turtles!

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There is diving gear available on this boat. Please provide your rental needs on the booking form. See below for further details on inclusions and pricing.

• BCD 60 USD per trip
• Dive Computer 60 USD per trip
• Dive Light 8 USD per day
• Fins 50 USD per trip
• Full Equipment (with: BCD, Dive Computer, Dive Light, Fins, Mask, Regulator, Snorkel Gear) 175 USD per trip
• Mask 50 USD per trip
• Regulator 60 USD per trip
• Snorkel Gear 50 USD per trip
• U/W photo camera rental 100 USD per trip
• Wetsuit 50 USD per trip

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• 2 single beds (twin)
• Aircon with control
• Ensuite Bathroom
• Max 2 guests

A comfortable stateroom with two single beds, side by side, a private bathroom and shower, porthole and air-conditioned with an individual climate control.

• 1 double or 2 single beds (amenable twin)

• 1 double bed

A comfortable stateroom with a king bed located on the upper deck, a private bathroom and shower, picture window, and air-conditioned with an individual climate control.

A comfortable suite with a king bed, a panorama window, private bathroom and shower, and air-conditioned with an individual climate control.

Rental Gear Prices

Enquiry - charters and groups.

Oman Diving

Oman offers pristine reefs, huge shoals of fish and plenty of whale sharks. Discover easy colourful reef dives and exciting wrecks, or go in search of dolphins, mantas, humpbacks and even sperm whales at the wild, remote Hallaniyat Islands.

Dive Centers Show all Dive Centers

Aquadive Oman

Muscat, Oman

With Oman’s best scuba diving on the doorstep, diving in Muscat is a must. Advanced divers can enjoy exciting drop-offs and walls, whilst novice divers explore pristine, shallow reefs bustling with colorful life. Dozens of dive sites, stunning beaches, whale sharks and nesting sea turtles await at this idyllic destination.

Diving in Oman

Since Oman opened its gates to visitors in the 1970s, scuba diving here has become increasingly popular. As it’s only recently been put on the diving map, many of Oman’s dive sites are in pristine condition and mostly untouched. 

Diving here is suitable for all, from easy reef diving to caves for more advanced divers. The water is normally warm all year round, with October to May experiencing the calmest ocean conditions. Visibility ranges between 15 meters (50 feet) to 25 meters (85 feet). Though visibility is somewhat poorer than other popular dive destinations, it does mean that large shoals of fish are often present thanks to the nutrient-heavy water. 

Oman offers divers an exceptional adventure, from the Musandam Peninsula in the north, where nutrient-rich waters nourish the diverse marine life, to the south around Salalah, where the coastline boasts a number of beaches and bays. 

There’s also some sensational dive spots near the capital of Muscat, situated on the Gulf of Oman between the Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf. 

Diving options are endless, with lots of dive centers and dive resorts to choose from. Diving without a guide is common in Oman, but local guides are usually available upon request. Liveaboard fans can rejoice too, as they’re aplenty. 

Best time to dive

As Oman benefits from a subtropical desert climate, diving here is pleasant all year round, with warm temperatures on land and underwater. It’s mostly dry and sunny and experiences very little rainfall. 

Summer runs from June to September, when temperatures often exceed 40°C (104°F) and rainfall is scarce. Winter’s heat is more bearable, with a few showers occurring, while spring and autumn are dry and warm, with temperatures between 25°C (77°F) and 35°C (95°F). 

The winter runs from October until February when air temperatures are on average anywhere from 20-25°C (68-77°F), and water temperatures linger around 28°C (83°F).

October to May is the ideal time to dive in Oman, because of better visibility and agreeable air and water temperatures. However, the whale shark season typically runs from July to November, depending on the area. If you prefer nesting turtles, May to June is the time to visit. 

Types of diving

Oman is split into three areas where the diving happens; the Daymaniyat Islands, Musandam Peninsula and Hallaniyat Islands. All are unique and offer beautiful reef dives, wrecks, stunning topography, including swim-throughs, tunnels and caves. 

A popular choice for diving in Oman is by one of the liveaboard dive safari boats, due to convenience and the fact that some dive sites only being accessible by such, like the remote Hallaniyat Islands. Not only are there amazing reef dives here, but there are also several shipwrecks to explore in this area, 

For beautiful, easy reef dives, the Musandam Peninsula is the place to be. Sites here such as The Cave and Lima Rock, also feature magnificent topography, including caves and tunnels. The Daymaniyat Islands where Oman’s first marine reserve was established, also cater to reef lovers.

What to see

Marine life is very diverse, boasting between 1300 and 1500 species of fish, some of which are unique to Oman. The country is also home to a plethora of bigger creatures, including turtles, and pelagics, such as rays, sharks and even everyone’s favourite gentle giant - the whale shark. To see whale sharks, head to the Daymaniyat Islands, Musandam Peninsula, Fahal Island and Bandar Khayran, where they assemble. 

Further afield at the Hallaniyat Islands, divers can discover dolphins, manta rays, humpback whales and sperm whales. 

Other majestic creatures to be encountered include reef, zebra and leopard sharks, plus vibrant coral reefs, rays, mola molas, turtles, large schools of fish and more. 

Best places to dive

Musandam peninsula.

The Caves in the Musandam Peninsula is highly recommended for cave lovers. There are tunnels dotted around the limestone rocks that house shrimp and lobster, while sharks and rays relax on the caves’ sandy bottoms. 

Daymaniyat Islands

Finally, the famous Daymaniyat Islands north of Muscat promise beautiful reefs descending down to 30 meters (100 feet), rays, reef sharks and seasonal whale sharks. This lush marine reserve is also a turtle nesting site.

Hallaniyat Islands

A destination for liveaboard dive trips due to its remote location, the Hallinyat Islands of Oman reward divers with uncrowded dive sites with reefs in excellent condition. Large pelagics such as whales and Manta rays are often spotted in the waters around Hallinyat.

Other spots around Oman include: Bandar Khayran which boasts shallow coral reefs and dramatic drop-offs, and also the top shipwreck in Oman, the Al Munassir. Located at 30 meters (100 feet), divers can find schools of goatfish and snapper, giant morays, rays and turtles living on this vessel. 

Al Fahal Island, nicknamed Shark Island due to numerous shark sightings, is a great spot featuring luscious reefs that is home to plenty of colorful fish species, as well as interesting topography, such as swim-throughs. 

Popular dive areas in Oman

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Private Dive Safari

Private tented camps, yachts and diving are what make this trip so special. You just can’t get it anywhere else.

This trip is tailored to you your specific requirements but combines top class hotels with private luxury yachts and the very best private tented camps that allow you to get to the places that others can't. A standard route which is suitable for individuals, couples or groups as large as 20 would be to start with a night at the Chedi, Muscat's most stylish hotel, before departing on your own private yacht for two nights cruising and diving the Daymaniyat Islands and finally heading to your very own private tented camp for two nights at Wahiba Sands and ending with a night of pampering and relaxation back at the Chedi.

This dive safari will allow you to go diving in a number of locations. The jewel in the crown of an Oman dive safari is Daymaniyat, a chain of islands approximately 18km off shore from Al Batinah, stretching 20km in an east to west direction. There are 15 different dive sites dotted along 9 main islands with numerous rock satellites, reefs and shoals. A great dive location to entertain all levels of divers.

Large amounts of plankton in the water mean that the visibility is generally not as good as can be found in other parts of the world, but it does mean that the sheer volume of fish is stunning. It also increases your chances of seeing the big stuff with whale shark not an uncommon phenomenon.

We work with only the best dive centres, boats and equipment so you can experience these pristine waters in style.

How about being the only people allowed by the government to camp on the unspoilt Daymaniyat Islands, the jewel in the crown of diving in Oman?

Jacqui, Original Diver

Other Places to Stay in Muscat

Shangri-La Barr al Jissah

Oman Aggressor

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Six must-try adventures in Oman: from scuba diving with whale sharks to paragliding

Featuring rugged canyons, jagged peaks and beautiful coastlines, the sultanate is the ultimate getaway for adventure seekers.

1. The Jebal Akhdar activity wall has zip lines, abseiling and the Middle East's highest steel rope bridge. Photo: H Skirka

Oman has long been a favourite with travellers, thanks to its incredible natural beauty and pristine coastlines.

Easily reachable from the UAE, either via a short flight or a perfectly manageable drive , the sultanate also has plenty to offer those seeking some high-octane adventure travel.

From craggy mountain peaks perfect for scaling to deep blue oceans thriving with marine life, here are six must-try adventures for your next visit to Oman.

1. Climb, abseil and zip line at Jebel Akhdar's activity wall

Head to Oman’s green mountain for some action-packed activities high above sea level. Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort is home to the Jabal Activity Wall, where you can try your hand at rock climbing, abseiling and zip lining, all under the watchful eye of a local Omani instructor.

If you're feeling brave, you can tackle the Middle East’s highest steel rope bridge — perched nearly 2,000 metres above sea level. Choose to climb with ropes or try the Via Ferrata that runs along the mountain edge and offers more than 20 metres of steep climbs and sheer drops, ideal for abseiling fans. Stop to take in the deep canyon views as you go, and if you're climbing with Suleiman the guide, get set to hear some amazing stories about how life in the mountain's remote villages has transformed over the years.

Jabal Activity Wall rates are Omani riyals 40 ($104) per person, Omani riyals 60 ($156) per couple and sessions last up to two hours; www.anantara.com

2. Dive with whale sharks at Daymaniyat Islands

Discovering Oman’s underwater world this weekend… what a delight! And was lucky enough to get so close to this baby whale shark, a true gentle giant #scubadiving #oman #travel pic.twitter.com/xx00uDwfzq — Hayley (@HayleyScottie) May 16, 2022

Seeb Marina on the outskirts of Muscat is the place to go for a scuba diving trip to the protected Daymaniyat Islands, where you can swim with whale sharks. September is the time to visit if you want to be in with the best chance of spotting these gentle giants, which can grow up to 10 metres in length. Home to more than 22 known diving sites, the nine-island area is also perfect for snorkelling.

Pearl Dimaniyat Diving Centre runs daily trips to the waters around the nature reserve and owner Arif is a dab hand at knowing where to go for best spotting the whale sharks. And if it's off-season, don't worry — there's still plenty to see including turtles, black tips, eels, parrotfish, coral gardens and much more.

Omani riyals 55 ($143) per person, including two dives, equipment, guide, national park access passes, refreshments and lunch; www.pearldimaniyat.com

3. Go paragliding in Musandam

Barefoot luxury and swanky lodgings await at Six Senses Zighy Bay , a five-star resort located on Oman’s Musandam Peninsula. The eco-haven is also home to one of the sultanate's best adventures.

Get set to jump off the edge of a cliff and soar high above the mountains on a 15-minute arrival paragliding flight. Taking off from the top of Zighy mountain, the pilot will follow the wind flow and adventurers will be able to enjoy a unique bird's eye view of the Hajar Mountains and their surroundings. Look out for ancient villages, desert oases and bright blue waters before a gentle descent, as you come to land on the sands of Zighy beach.

Dh812, available for in-house guests only; www.sixsenses.com

4. Swim, jump and climb through Wadi Shab

For an epic adventure, head to Wadi Shab in Oman's Al Sharqiyah Region. One of the sultanate's most popular wadis, this place has something for everyone. With pure turquoise waters, towering palm trees and a waterfall inside a cave, it's a must-visit. Local touring company twenty3 extreme offers aquatic treks through the wadi every Sunday and Tuesday, and can also organise private tours any day of the week.

Starting bright and early with a safety briefing, the adventure begins with a boat ride to the start of the Wadi Shab trek. Here, an easy hike takes in the canyon's water pools, caves, waterfalls and tunnels. It also includes a lunch stop at a local restaurant where you can try traditional Omani fare and learn more about the village before heading to Bimmah Sinkhole to end the day with an epic swim in the bright blue water.

Omani riyals 47 ($122) per person, or Omani riyals 235 ($610) for a private tour (up to five people); www.twenty3extreme.com

5. Watch wild dolphins in Salalah

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Located on Oman’s southern coast, Salalah marches to a beat of its own. With tropical vibes, towering palm trees and the annual khareef season when the end of the monsoons sweep in from Africa, it’s got a distinctly tropical vibe. And that continues on the water where you can see spinner and round-head dolphins and Omani porpoises.

Salalah Adventure Tours operates from Taqah Port out on to the water, and is run by local Omani guides. Keep a keen eye out for the friendly and curious dolphins, which often come quite close to the boats. If you want a more hands-on adventure, you can stick on a snorkel and jump in the water. If you're super lucky, you may even see a whale.

Omani riyals 25 ($65) per person for a three-hour trip; www.salalahadventuretours.com

6. Hike Jebel Shams, Oman's highest mountain

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Oman’s largest mountain towers in at more than 3,000 metres above sea level and is a craggy playground just waiting to be explored. Part of the western Hajar Mountains, Jebel Shams offers epic hiking and trekking opportunities, all of which come with awesome views. If you’re an experienced hiker, you can summit the mountain in about seven or eight hours, then settle down for a night of camping under a star-filled canopy.

Hikers with less experience can try the Balcony Walk, which gives similar views but takes a little less time. Winding along the rim of Wadi Al Nakhr canyon, you'll enjoy amazing scenes over Wadi Ghul and trek all the way to the abandoned village of Sab Bani Khamis. Afterwards, enjoy an authentic home-made lunch by a local Omani family in a nearby village, served under the shade of palm fronds.

Omani riyals 99 ($257) per person; www.husaak.com

Extra Divers Dive Centre at Jebel Sifah

Muriya, Oman’s leading tourism development company has launched a dive center at Jebel Sifah as the array of exciting leisure activities at the destination continues to grow. Located within walking distance of the Sifawy Boutique Hotel, Extra Divers is operated by German dive tour operators Extra Divers Worldwide and will offer guests and visitors unforgettable dives to nearby sites such as the Munassir wreck and Fahal Islands, as well as the reefs at Ras Abu Daoud.

Extra Divers Sifah operates in line with Scuba Schools International (SSI) and Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) standards with all required equipment available to rent on site and also offers kayaking, snorkelling, and jet skiing. The center allows guests to be inspired by spectacular scenery and explore the unique underwater ecosystem before returning to spend the evening in the relaxing ambiance of Jebel Sifah, complete with dining options and retail outlets in the heart of the bustling marina town.

Extra Divers offer guests the chance to learn from experienced male and female instructors, who are fluent in Arabic, English and German while swimming amongst large schools of fish, turtles, stingrays, leopard sharks, moray eels, and nudibranchs that thrive beneath the surface in the Gulf of Oman. Departing from Jebel Sifah’s first inland marina, the dive center organises daily dive sessions where guests can visit a variety of dive sites each day as part of their stay at the destination.

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