One of our favourite ways to escape the heat of Muscat is to take a boat trip to the Daymaniat Islands. This small archipelago is a protected national park where you can swim with turtles, tropical fish and even sharks if you are lucky.
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If you’re coming to Muscat you really should consider adding this half day excursion to your itinerary.
I have been a dozen or more times with my family and friends - yes, I've lost count - and have a tip or two to share about companies to book with, when to go and what to expect.
Tip: the name of the islands can also be spelt Dimaniyat or Damaniyat thanks to the various phonetic translations of Arabic Script to the Roman alphabet. They are all the same place.
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.
Where are the Daymaniyat Islands?
The nine islands are 16km off Barka on the mainland but trips to visit them leave from Muscat between 30 and 50km away depending on your departure port.
By speed boat, they can reached in as little as 30 minutes from Seeb Marina, 45 minutes from Al Mouj Marina or an hour from Muttrah and Marina Bandar Al Rowdha.
Why visit?
In my opinion, a snorkelling trip to the Daymaniat Islands nature reserve is the best way to see turtles in Oman. Each time we have been we have seen dozens of green turtles and countless tropical fish feeding on the coral.
We’ve also seen reef sharks and rays. It is possible to spot whale sharks while crossing to the islands but this can be trickier as you have to come in the summer and get very lucky finding them.
The coral in the shallows isn't as vibrant as we have seen when snorkelling from the Thai beaches in the Andaman Sea, but it still attracts plenty of marine life.
If you go diving you will see many more thriving corals in the deeper water.
When is the best time to visit?
Visiting the Daymaniat Islands is an all year round activity with a small number of different experiences available depending on when you go.
The islands are a protected nature reserve so you can only step foot on them between the start of November and end of April. This is because from May to October turtles and migrating birds nest on the beaches and rocky shoreline.
To be honest, the main event is under the sea, so don't let this put you off. There’s nowhere to go on the islands. They are very small, rocky and there is no shade.
Once you’ve relaxed on the sand and hiked five minutes to the highest point for a 360 degree view you’ve exhausted all the land-based activities.
That is unless you decide to stay overnight. A limited number of camping permits are granted to tour companies who offer pre-pitched tents on the islands over the winter season.
Something to be aware of during the winter rough weather makes it unsafe to make the crossing to the islands. This doesn’t last long and companies will try to rearrange your trip or they will give you a refund.
There is better visibility in the water during the summer and autumn. Plankton can make the water look a bit like pea soup in the spring.
During the hotter summer months you have the chance to spot whale sharks on the way to the islands. They come to feed on the plankton-rich water.
The exact visiting dates change each year, but if you want the best chance to see them you have to be willing to brave the Arabian heat between June and September.
We have been lucky enough to see a group of whale sharks during one of many trips to the islands. Find out more about our experience swimming with them.
Can you visit with kids?
Yes, but not all boat companies take children under the age of five, so check when you are booking. Children under 12 tend to be half price.
Children will get the most out of the trip of they are water confident. The boats are small, so there's nowhere for them to run around. And don't forget that you can only play on the beaches between November and April.
Our children always wear rash vests and factor 50 sun cream. It's easy to forget how exposed you are when you're in the water or on the moving boat with a cooling breeze.
Our tried and tested boat trip providers
If you’re wondering how to get to the Daymaniat Islands the only way is by organised boat trip. Every person needs a license to enter the national park and your tour boat operator will arrange this.
It's possible to take boat trips from Al Mouj Marina, Seeb Marina/Port, Muttrah Port and Marina Bandar Al Rowdha to snorkel and dive around the islands.
Here are the boat companies we have used and why we recommend them:
Daymaniat Shells, Al Mouj
Daymaniat Shells was the first company we booked to take us to islands and they set a high benchmark. We've used them several times since. You are always given a thorough briefing on how to act around the turtles and other marine life.
They're also happy to capture memories for you. Lots of the pictures in this post were taken by them during one of our trips.
Shells is also a plastic free business and gives guests reusable bottles as a souvenir.
Pearl Dimaniyat, Seeb Marina
We've also done multiple trips with Pearl Daimaniyat as they are knowledgeable and marine conscious. They give you a great brief on your snorkelling equipment and how to act around the turtles.
You can also go scuba diving with Pearl. A visiting friend went on a diving trip with them and had an incredible experience.
Cruise Boat Oman, Seeb Marina
We booked a private trip with Cruise Boat Oman and found them to be professional and well organised. We can recommend their barbecue lunch.
Seascape, Al Mouj
Seascape is a good option for families with young children as the boat has a glass bottom and lots of covered seating. You don’t have to get in the water to appreciate some of what the Daymaniat Islands have to offer.
However, the only creature guaranteed to swim under the glass bottom is your captain. The others were a bit shy when we went.
A word on prices and booking
There are lots of companies offering trips to the islands. Expect to pay between 25 and 30 OMR per adult for a shared tour with a good company that respects the nature reserve.
Unless you book through a tour website like Get Your Guide, the easiest way to enquire and book direct is on WhatsApp.
You'll find contact numbers on each company's Instagram profile or website. Don't rely on web forms or email addresses as these aren't checked regularly. This isn't specific to boat trip companies - it's just how things work in Oman.
What to expect
Most companies offer similar half day packages. You can book a group trip in the morning or afternoon starting at around 8am or 2pm depending on the departure marina and company.
Private and all day tours are available on request but can work out expensive unless you are sharing the cost with friends.
When you leave the marina you speed north west up the Muscat coastline.
Low lying islands
The Islands are very low lying and there are only a couple of small buildings and a communications tower used by the police who patrol the reserve. It is possible to see the islands from the Corniche at Seeb if it is a very clear day but you’re likely to spot them for the first time from your boat.
As you approach shallower water the sea turns from a deep blue to a vibrant turquoise.
All the trips we have been on have had at least two snorkelling stops and, when the turtles are not nesting, some time on shore.
We have mostly snorkelled on the bays around Police Island and Black Tip Reef. The locations your captain picks depend on the wind direction and tide.
If you hear people talk about 'Turtle City' this is an area on the southern side of Police Island where large groups of turtles congregate. For this reason it can get busy with boats and visitors. Don't worry if you don't stop here. It's still possible - and less frantic - to see turtles in quieter spots.
Tip: make sure you know what your boat looks like before swimming away. Most look very similar once you're in the water.
What can you see?
If you get in the water, you will see turtles. With all of the companies we have used a crew member has led people to where they are likely to be. You don't have to follow, but they are the experts.
There's also countless tropical fish. We've seen different varieties of snappers and surgeon fish, Spot-fin Porcupinefish, Arabian Butterfly fish, Picasso Triggerfish and Black-tipped Reef Sharks.
When it's possible to visit the beach, you can see thousands of crabs and mud skippers clinging to the rocks.
Your light lunch
The standard lunch offered by most companies is club sandwiches (meat and vegetarian options) crisps and fruit. If you go with Daymaniat Shells they also offer pastries. Cruise Boat Oman barbecue mishkak (Omani street food) onboard.
Snorkelling is hungry-work so lunch tends to be served early, after your first dip in the water. We always end up having a late top-up lunch after we get back to the marina.
What to wear
If you are visiting Oman it's a must to familiarise yourself with the appropriate clothing to wear in different situations.
It’s no different when taking a boat to the Daymaniat Islands, but you can get away with a normal swim suit here. Most people visiting are expats and tourists, so you’ll see everything from burkini's to bikinis once you’re at sea.
However, you will need something to cover your shoulders and knees on your journey to the marina. For women, wear a long beach dress or a sarong and t-shirt that you can easily take off when you reach the islands. For men, swim shorts and a t-shirt are acceptable. These will also protect you from the sun when you’re not swimming.
Unless you are chartering a yacht, there is no changing room and on some boats there can be a competition for shade.
Bring a rash vest to protect you from the sun when you are in the water. Don't forget plenty of factor 50 sunscreen too.
Hats are a good idea for when the boat is stationary but will fly off while you are speeding towards the island. Sun glasses are a must.
Flip flops or beach shoes are a good idea. Some operators will ask you to remove your shoes when on the boat.
More things to put in your beach bag
- Don't forget a towel. These aren't supplied.
- A dry bag or beach bag with a zipped pocket for your valuables. Other people may drip on your belongings.
- GoPro or waterproof case for your phone.
- Snorkelling masks and fins are usually supplied but you can also bring your own.
I’d recommend wearing plenty of marine-friendly sun cream and to drink loads of water. Some trip operators bring a barrel of filtered water so it’s worth having your own bottle to refill.
Where to stay near Muscat's marinas
Having been to the islands several times, I’d suggest booking a morning trip and reserving your afternoon to relax back at your accommodation. We’re always shattered after snorkelling and bobbing around on the boat.
Seeb Marina is located in a residential and retail area more frequented by locals than tourists, so you’ll find small, affordable hotels and apartments nearby.
The closest International hotel is the Holiday Inn - its about 20 minutes away depending on traffic. Allow more time in the morning commuter rush, which is between 6am and 9am.
Al Mouj has lots of high end hotels. If you are looking for a family-friendly hotel with kids club, swimming pools and beach access then check out the Kempinski. The newest hotel is the St Regis which has some incredible places to eat like Hakkasan and Coya.
The bonus of being here is you are already at the marina, so there's no traffic to navigate.
Muttrah has some small hotels and guest houses but if you prefer a hotel then the Sheraton is a very comfortable and reasonably priced one a short taxi ride away.
The closest hotel to Marina Bandar Al Rowdha is the Al Bustan which is a Ritz Carlton.
It's a bit of a distance from the islands so wouldn't be my top recommendation on a place to stay, but if you want to relax at a luxurious hotel with its own private beach, then it ticks all the boxes. You can also snorkel right off beach and are at the better end of Muscat for dolphin spotting.
Final thoughts on snorkelling at the Daymaniat Islands
This is one of my top things to do in Oman. I have lost count of the number of times we have boarded a boat and spent hours marvelling at green turtles. And I'd do it all again. No two trips are the same and one day we might get to meet those whale sharks!