The incredibly beautiful Oman Fjords sits in Khasab, an isolated port city in Oman along the borders of the United Arab Emirates. This exclave is perched right at the tip of Musandam Peninsular overlooking the Strait of Hormuz, thus separated from the rest of Oman.
It is often referred to as The Norway of Arabia, due to its spectacularly unspoiled mountainscape and rugged inlets of clear azure waters. It is a warmer version of course which is perfect for snorkeling and dolphin watching.
If you're a resident, an ex-pat, or a tourist on a stopover in the UAE who ran out of ideas on what to do given more than 24 free hours, relax and head off to the small exclave of Oman at the northern tip of the United Arab Emirates
The Travel Plan
We used to book by phone the full-day dhow cruise via Golden Tulip Resort's tourism counter the earliest possible or at least one week before our scheduled trip.
The dhow cruise is a 6-7 hour tour of the 16-kilometer fjords in the Arabian Gulf. It includes Arabic coffee with sweets and a buffet lunch.
There are snorkeling gears that can be rented additionally while life jackets are provided on the boat. Before, you could pay with Dirhams (UAE Currency) in Khasab and the exit fees at the border with a credit card.
Golden Tulip Resort in Khasab
How to get to Khasab?
Khasab is difficult to get to.
Self Drive (Those traveling by their own vehicle or rental car)
Be sure to leave Dubai for more than 2 hours before to get to the Al Dara border north of Ras Al Khaimah.
At the gate, we were able to secure an entry visa to get to Khasab, Musandam, Oman. Check whether your car is insured for Oman. You can purchase 10-day insurance in case your car is not insured. You'll have to pay an exit fee if you're a UAE resident.
A passport, a pen, car insurance, and car registration are required. Expect queues at the Immigration after completing a form during public holidays. It would be smart to be there before 7:30 AM.
After crossing the border, there's still a 45-kilometer drive on meandering single lane cliffside roads to the port. The boat leaves the Khasab port at 9 AM sharp. The jetty is located a few blocks away from Golden Tulip Resort.
Since 2013, there had been some changes in the implementation of Immigration rules at the borders of UAE and Oman towards Khasab. You'd require proof of hotel and tour bookings for Oman Entry Visa Application via Ras Al Khaimah.
Please check the visa formalities with the Oman embassy weeks before your trip to avoid any unexpected hassle.
It is a scenic drive to Khasab on zigzag roads against steep ravines with some blind curves. The road trip and outstanding rocky landscape I must say is a big part of the Oman adventure.
Khasab Tours (with pick up at your hotel and drop off in Dubai)
If you're a tourist and prefer a more convenient mode of traveling without renting a car to drive to the border, you can book the Musandam Khasab Oman cruise via tour companies.
They'll pick you up at your hotel and organize the entire trip. The visa and exit fees are usually not included in the package unless mentioned, so consider that as an add-on. You will need your passport, pen, and patience for the long drive.
Dhow Cruise in Khasab
The water in the Fjords of the Musandam that you see here is its natural color. As we cruised on the beautiful dhow boats, we watched dolphins playfully jump following our boat. We spotted colorful fish while snorkeling. The cruise took us to Telegraph Island, a former British telegraph station, small fishing villages, and dolphin watching. We docked twice for snorkeling.
Scuba diving is somewhat new to Khasab. Diving operators are offering PADI courses. Freestyle Divers who have set up there continue to explore and discover dive sites.
16 km Fjords. These rocky mountains must have been submerged during the pre-historic age.
Many dolphins followed our boats
I highly recommend it. The cruise offers a calm and relaxing day on the water.
Tourism and Smuggling
According to this article, the writer mentioned two thriving businesses in Khasab- Tourism, and Smuggling. With its intricate waterways, geographical location, and proximity to Iran, it became a popular den for smugglers.
I don't think we have spotted any smugglers while we were there but we definitely enjoyed the Musandam Dhow Cruise that Oman offers.
Never Be Late
At 6 AM which was already a bit late, we met my sister-in-law and her family who drove all the way from Abu Dhabi at a gas station along Emirates Road, outside the city of Dubai. The plan was to drive altogether on a convoy to the border of United Arab Emirates for another 120 km.
Guess what? Yohann and I realized that we forgot to bring our passports!
You wouldn't believe that in a matter of a good hour, we were able to go home and caught up with them in Ras Al Khaimah! I will not reveal to you what speed we drove at but it was insanely fast!
After crossing the border, due to extremely long queues at the immigration, we missed our boat!
We stood at the pier and watched the boat sail away.
Luckily, they were able to arrange another boat for everyone who got stuck at the border and we all sailed happily for one relaxing day under the sun.
Thank you for reading. Would this kind of day cruise appeal to you?
References:
Inspired by my original post
Travel Tramp - There's Only Really Two Businesses in Khasab
WikiTravel - Khasab
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