When you think of Oman, you might not immediately consider scuba diving, but the fact is that diving in Oman’s waters is absolutely fantastic. The Sultanate of Oman is perched on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, at the mouth of the Persian Gulf. Its coastline is formed by the Gulf of Oman to the northeast and the Arabian Sea to the southeast, providing a fantastic amount of habitat for marine life of all kinds. Here, we’ll take a look at just a few of the many wonderful dive sites Oman has to offer, including two outstanding reefs and a dark, mysterious cave.
East Bay
While East Bay features maximum depth at just 12 meters, it is a dive site that’s far from mundane. Located near Fahal Island, it features a 30-meter swim through tunnel with a U-shaped bend in the middle as well as a series of huge boulders where marine life congregates. The tunnel is filled with thousands of glassy sweepers that part like a curtain as you swim past. By moving quietly and slowly, you increase your chances of encountering little black tip reef sharks as well as juvenile lemon sharks both inside and outside the swim through; these sharks are extremely timid and are prone to fleeing when divers start taking photos. Tuna and barracuda can often be found prowling around the entrances to the tunnel, seemingly waiting for small fish to come out. Large sharks are encountered occasionally; divers have reported seeing 3-meter long lemon sharks in the vicinity. Moray eels, invertebrates, and crustaceans can be found among the rocks, and there are quite a few areas where coral thrives.
Bill’s Bump
Bill’s Bump is an outstanding dive site where marine life is abundant. Located to the west of Fahal Island, it is a multi-level site that is suitable even for newer divers. If East Bay has excessive surge, dive operators typically bring visitors here as conditions are rarely poor. A gently sloping coral wall begins at a depth of 6 meters and gradually makes its way to 12 meters; by following the wall, you’ll come to a huge heap of rounded boulders at a depth of about 15 meters. A small drop-off nearby allows you to come to rest on the sandy seabed at a depth of 22 meters, where you’ll find some fantastic table coral, and where you are likely to encounter rays. As you make your way back up the reef, be sure to move slowly and focus at least a little of your attention on the tiny creatures living among the sponges and corals. There are lots of colorful reef fish here too, plus the occasional moray eel or small shark.
Cave Site
Nobody has given this dive site a name; it’s simply referred to as the “cave site.” Located about a 20 minute boat ride from Muscat, it features maximum depth at 22 meters. The cave itself is located in a cliff face that points toward the open sea. Once you hop off the boat, you’ll make your way down to an area covered with huge boulders, then into the sea cave. The inside of the cave is prone to surge and is not terribly impressive; the rocks around the outer edges though, are covered in corals and are home to a vast array of marine life including several different nudibranch species. Frogfish are frequently encountered here, as are moray eels, colorful tropical fish species, and the occasional shark or ray.
Oman’s dive operators are friendly, knowledgeable, and efficient. There are many other dive sites to explore in the area, so if the ones at the top of your list are not available, you’ll still get to enjoy the abundant marine life and intriguing geologic features that make diving in Oman unique.