Beat the heat: what to do in Oman during the summer
If you’ve already dipped into my travel tip posts you’ll know I would generally advise that summer is not the best time to visit Oman. The wall of humidity hits different in Muscat and no amount of water will keep you hydrated. But if your travel dates are set or you’re a resident looking for inspiration, read on for my list of what to do in Oman during the summer months.
But before the good stuff, I’d like to thank you for visiting Oman Wanderlust and also encourage you to join our Facebook group Oman Unpacked. It’s a community to get even more personal recommendations from visitors and expats who love Oman.
*This post contains affiliate links. If you click and buy something, I may earn some commission. This is at no extra cost to you but helps me cover the costs of running this website. See my privacy policy and disclosure policy for more information (links in footer).*
When is summer in Oman?
Summer in Oman is the same as for the whole northern hemisphere – roughly June to August – but daytime temperatures are consistently over 30°c from April to October.
What do people do when its hot in Oman?
Our summers in the Sultanate were short – like most residents, we flew off to different destinations for some respite from the heat. But, for the weeks we were in Oman between May and September, we had a go-to list of things to do.
Run for the Hajar Mountains
We discovered the relief of cooler mountain temperatures during our first summer in Oman. The temperature difference between muggy Muscat and the plateau of Jebel Akhdar or peak of Jebel Shams can be at least 10 degrees. It’s still very hot in the middle of the day – don’t skimp on the sun cream at this altitude – but mornings and evenings are a lovely temperature.
Search for seasonal deals at Jebel Ahkdar’s five star resorts like the Anantara or Alila. Make an evening visit to the Rummana pomegranate festival for the best atmosphere. Or try wild camping at one of the designated picnic spots with views above the clouds.
Snorkel at the Daymaniat Islands
Take a boat trip from the Al Mouj or Seeb Marinas to see the turtles who feed on the coral reefs around this protected archipelago off the coast of Muscat.
You can’t step foot on the islands as it is bird and turtle nesting season from the end of April to the start of November, but it is great season to see marine wildlife in the seasonably calm waters.
Don’t forget your rash vests, factor 50 marine-safe sun cream and to drink plenty of water.
Find out more about visiting the Daymaniat Islands.
Cross your fingers for a Whale Shark sighting
The summer (specifically June to September) is the migration season for Whale Sharks who feed on plankton that blooms in the Gulf of Oman.
You won’t be able to book a whale shark spotting trip, as sightings can’t be guaranteed.
Instead, take a morning snorkelling trip to the Daymaniat Islands for the best chance of stumbling across these gentle giants on the way. Calm sea conditions are the best for spotting them in the deep waters off the coast. Afternoons tend to be choppier.
Read about our experience of swimming with whale sharks in Oman.
See turtles nesting
The summer is the best season for seeing turtles nesting at Oman’s Ras Al Jinz nature reserve. Guides take you on nighttime and early morning tours at a protected beach where you can see Green Turtles laying eggs each evening and babies hatching before sunrise.
Important note: we have visited twice and felt the tours weren’t particularly well managed to protect the turtles.
Read more about Ras Al Jinz before you decide to go.
Find air conditioned entertainment in shopping malls
Each of Oman’s cities has large shopping malls where you’ll find soft and imaginative play facilities for young children, as well as cinemas and arcades for older kids. Some malls also have bigger attractions:
- Mall of Oman in Bawshar, Muscat – Snow Oman ice park
- Mall of Muscat in Seeb, Muscat- Muscat Aquarium
- Al Araimi Boulevard in Seeb, Muscat – Trampo Extreme inflatable park
Explore a museum
Dive into Oman’s natural and cultural history as well as discovering its vision for the future at the National Museum in Muscat and Oman Across the Ages Museum near Nizwa.
Other museums worth exploring while the weather is hot are the Place and People Museum in Muttrah and Bait Al Zubair Museum in ministries district.
Go underground in the Arabian Peninsular’s largest show cave
Another place to hide from the sun is Al Hoota Caves in Al Hamra. Whether you’re a fan of geology or just fascinated by the forces of nature, I highly recommend this incredible look behind the scenes at the making of Oman, from the bottom of the sea to thousands of metres above it.
The temperate inside Al Hoota Cave is 20°C all year round.
Find out more about visiting Al Hoota Caves.
Holiday like a local in Salalah
The summer is monsoon season in Oman’s southern Dhofar region. The rains transform it into a misty green paradise that draws tourists from all over the country and wider Gulf region.
If you’re used to rainy weather, this might not be quite as appealing to you as it is to locals. Beaches are closed due to the rough weather and hotels are more expensive.
If you are intrigued, find out more about visiting Salalah.
Splash out on a pool passes
My kids are big fans of pool days and most international hotels in Muscat offer some kind of day package.
These include access to facilities and a discount on food and drinks.
Our favourites were at the JW Marriott, DoubleTree by Hilton and Al Bustan Palace in Muscat.
The Muscat Where To app and website are my go-to places to find pool pass deals.
Keep cool at a wadi
Wadis are one of Oman’s best natural attractions and, as long as you don’t have a long hike to find water, are a great place for a refreshing dip.
Wadi Bani Khalid’s all year round swim spots are a short walk from the parking area. Wadi Hoqain also has water throughout the year and is just over an hour from Muscat. Water levels can vary but the canyon is shady.
FAQs about summer in Oman
I’ve seen my car dashboard display read 50°C in the summer. Generally, you can expect daytime temperatures of between 35°C and 45°C in June, July and August, with nighttime temperatures dipping into the late 20°Cs
It’s too hot to spend a lot of time outdoors. Vigorous activities like hiking and cycling are unadvisable. I was dripping in sweat just walking between the car and my front door after a trip to the supermarket.
Yes, you can expect daytime temperatures of around 40°C in the north of Oman. Temperatures in the southern Dhofar region are cooler because of the monsoon but it’s still in the late 20°Cs to 30°C.
If your aim is to explore Oman in comfortable temperatures, the best months to visit in my opinion are November and March. These shoulder months are either side of the main rush of tourists with warm weather. Find out more about the best time to visit Oman.
In terms of your wardrobe, Oman is a conservative country all year round, so what to wear doesn’t change much. What you definitely need in your case is marine-safe factor 50 sun cream, a hat and sunglasses that are category three or UV400.
Wanderlust Chats
Want personalised advice for your Oman adventure? Book a 45 minute one-to-one Zoom call during which you can ask me anything about planning your trip.
