Hotels near Daymaniyat Islands

The Daymaniyat Islands are nine small islands and a scatter of rocks about 18 km off the coast, protected as a nature reserve since 1996. The reefs hold green and hawksbill turtles, reef sharks, rays and, between May and September, whale sharks. Boats leave Al Mouj Marina and take 45 to 60 minutes each way, often crossing pods of spinner dolphins on the run out. Access requires a permit, so you must book through a licensed operator; Oman's official tourism site lists the approved ones.

A half-day snorkelling trip runs 30 to 45 OMR (about 70 to 105 EUR) including equipment and the reserve fee. Diving costs more. The islands close to landing from May to October during turtle nesting season, though snorkelling in the surrounding water continues. Sea conditions decide everything: trips are cancelled outright when the swell picks up, which happens often between June and August. Book for early in your stay so you have a spare day to rebook.

Pro Tip: Take the 7am departure over the 10am one. The water is glassier, the dolphin sightings are far more reliable in the first two hours after sunrise, and you are back at the marina before the worst of the heat.