Bimmah Sinkhole and Hawiyat Najm Park – what you need to know
Bimmah Sinkhole is one of the most popular places to visit as part of a day trip from Muscat. And with good reason. It is incredibly beautiful and always get’s lots of attention when I share pictures of it on Instagram.
However, I’d not recommend driving an hour and half from Oman’s capital just to see it. It’s a long way for a short experience – I know, I’ve done it!
I’ve also visited several times as part of a longer days out and trips southwest from Muscat.
In this post I’m sharing why you should visit Bimmah Sinkhole, how to do it and what else to add to your trip.
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.
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What is the story of Bimmah Sinkhole?
Bimmah Sinkhole is what happens when Oman catches a falling star…
Or at least that’s the legend about how the sinkhole was formed. Locally it is known as the Hawiyat Najm sinkhole, which means ‘The Falling Star’ in Arabic. Bimmah is in fact the name of the town along the coast to the south.
The less romantic theory about how Bimmah Sinkhole came into being is that it was created by limestone erosion. The hole is in-between the Gulf of Oman and the Hajar Mountains. Over time water flowing from the mountains and crashing into the coast caused the land to subside.
Personally I like the legend but I think the geologists might have something there.
Today Bimmah Sinkhole is among Oman’s many natural tourist attractions where you can literally immerse yourself in the landscape.
How to get to Bimmah Sinkhole
Bimmah Sinkhole is easy to reach from Muscat. Leave the city via the mountain road between Bawshar and Al Amarat, or Route 1 towards Ruwi. Join Route 17 and travel south to Dibab where you’ll see signs to the sinkhole and Hawiyat Najm Park.
The journey is about 130km depending on your starting point in Muscat and should take about an hour and a half.
If you have hired a car it is an easy drive. You do not need a 4×4 to reach the sinkhole – the road is tarmac all the way.
There is a free car park outside Hawiyat Najm Park.
If you are on holiday you can book a full day tour that includes the sinkhole and Wadi Shab.
Hawiyat Najm Park
The sinkhole is in an enclosed park where there are gazebos, picnic benches and a playground. It’s a popular place for families to meet, particularly on Fridays.
The park and sinkhole are free to visit. When we last visited Hawiyat Najm Park in September 2024 the opening hours are from 8am to 8pm daily. Other times are displayed at the park too (see below).
What to wear
When you arrive at Bimmah Sinkhole you need to be wearing conservative clothes to enter the park.
There are signs at the gate and often guards on duty who will ask you to change what you are wearing if you do not meet the required standards.
So what should you wear? As a general rule men and women need to have their shoulders and knees covered when they enter the park.
Read more about what to wear in Oman.
Can you swim in Bimmah Sinkhole?
Yes! This is the top thing to do at Bimmah Sinkhole. However, be aware that there are no lifeguards and you swim at your own risk.
If you wish to change into swimwear when you reach Hawiyat Najm Park there are bathrooms just to the left inside the entrance. You will still need to cover arms and shoulders as you walk from here to the sinkhole itself.
I find the easiest things to swim in are leggings and a T-shirt as I know these won’t cause offence whether there are international or local visitors present.
When you reach the sinkhole there is a set of concrete steps on the far side. These take you down to the water but they are uneven, so take care.
At the bottom you can enter the sinkhole from the mud bank. Again, take care as the surface is uneven and slippery in places. Wear water shoes or old trainers for grip. These will also protect your toes from the tiny skin nibbling fish in the sinkhole.
The azure water is salty which proves the sinkhole is connected to the sea. But it is much warmer than the waters of the Gulf of Oman.
You can swim out into the the main pool or around the back of the mud bank where there is a cave. If you go all the way to the back you can stand up on fallen mud and stones.
Here’s what you’ll find:
How deep is the sinkhole?
Bimmah Sinkhole is 20m from the rim to the surface of the water and then a further 90m to the bottom.
Do not wear anything loose when swimming as you won’t be able to retrieve it from the bottom if it falls off.
Experienced cliff divers make the leap from the top (it’s dangerous and you need permission from the municipal government), but there’s lower ledges within the hole that are better suited to visitors wanting a bit of a thrill.
The best time to visit
The sinkhole is at its quietest in the morning. This is when most tourists day tripping from Muscat will be at nearby Wadi Shab.
In the afternoon and evening it becomes busier with families arriving for picnics.
Facilities at Hawiyat Najm Park
There is a toilet block with squat and western-style toilets just inside the entrance to Hawiyat Najm Park. Depending on how busy the park has been you will find toilet paper and soap but bring your own just in case.
There is no cafe at Bimmah Sinkhole. The closest place to get drinks and snacks is the Oman Oil service station on Route 17 just south of the park.
If you are continuing on to Wadi Shab there is a cafe at the end of the car park.
How long do you need here?
If you decide to swim at the sinkhole you need no more than an hour here.
If you just want to admire the turquoise water from the wall around the edge then you’ll need less time. It takes five minutes to walk to the sinkhole from the park entrance and another five to walk around the top of the sinkhole.
Places to stay near Bimmah Sinkhole
If you are planning on visiting Bimmah Sinkhole as part of a tour of Oman here are some places to stay nearby:
Final thoughts on Bimmah Sinkhole
Bimmah Sinkhole is a beautiful and easy place to visit from Muscat. Take a look over the rim or descend for a dip before or after visiting Wadi Shab or Wadi Tiwi which are close by.
But it’s not worth visiting Bimmah Sinkhole on its own. It would be a three hour round trip from Muscat for an experience of less than an hour. I have done this once with visitors and while they loved it, there is not a lot else to do at the park than have a picnic and hit the road again.
We have also stopped off on a road trip down to the turtle nature reserve at Ras Al Jinz.
If you are staying in Oman’s capital, here are some more ideas for things to do in Muscat.
