The historic home of Sinbad the Sailor and capital city of Oman, Muscat offers a uniquely Omani experience nestled in between the majestic Al Hajar Mountains and the Gulf of Oman. In SATT 2017, the opening ceremony and first inport race took place here, hosting corporate hospitality and B2B engagement throughout the event. The sea continues to form a major part of the city of Muscat; visitors arrive on cruise ships and goods in containers to the historic ports of Old Muscat and Muttrah. Alongside Muscat’s breathtaking intermingling of ancient cultural heritage and modern style, pristine beaches, captivating mountainous regions and golden sand dunes are just a few of the natural wonders to explore.
A large, mangrove-fringed lagoon, Bandar Khiran is an area popular with those in search of a few days in paradise. The beauty spot outside Muscat features plunging cliffs and coral reefs that are greatly appreciated by snorkelers and divers. It’s worth driving for at least 30 minutes along the Yitti to Al Seifa road to get a flavour of the inlets or khors that make this part of the Muscat coastline so memorable.
Strong trade links with India, China and East Africa contribute to Sur’s vibrant atmosphere. With an attractive corniche, two forts, excellent beaches nearby and a long history of dhow-building, there is much to explore. In close proximity to Wadi Tiwi and Wadi Shab and the turtle reserve at Ras al Jinz, Sur makes a good halfway rest point on a round trip from Muscat via the desert camps of the Sharqiya Sands.
Home to the beaches that are nesting grounds for turtles, Ras Al Hadd is one of the most beautiful areas of Oman. Featuring nature reserves aplenty, the attractive lagoon scenery nearby make this fishing village an incredible location to visit.
63km long, 18km wide and lying 15km from the mainland coast, Masirah Island is a destination that attracts international visitors year-round. It’s a typical desert island, featuring a rocky interior of palm oases and glorious sandy beaches. A paradise for nature lovers, the island is home to flamingos, herons and oystercatchers by day, whilst large turtles and armies of ghost crabs alight on the beaches at night. A greater number of visitors are exploring Masirah during the winter months (October to April). During the summer months (May to September), winds are very strong, due to the monsoon. During this period, only the most dedicated kite surfers and windsurfers visit the island.
A beautiful natural rock garden of wind-eroded forms is Duqm’s main attraction. Set to become a city of 40,000 people, plans are underway to transform Duqm’s port into a huge new industrial powerhouse, which will one day become bigger than the size of Singapore. To date, Duqm has been transformed from a once tiny fishing community into a sprawling, busy town.
The capital of the Dhofar region and home of the 44th largest port in the world, Salalah offers a wholly different climate, as well as an abundance of trade, to Oman. The home of coconut-fringed beaches and plantations of bananas and papayas in the heart of the Arabian Desert, Salalah is a subtropical city of breathtaking beauty. From mid-June to mid-August, monsoon season attracts a constant drizzle to the area and offers the coolest temperatures in the Sultanate, making it extremely popular with tourists.
