After living in Oman for two years we can safely say we understand why the peak tourist season runs from October to the beginning of April. Summer time here is extremely HOT! But are the cooler months really the best time to visit Oman?
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In this post I want to share why the autumn, winter and spring can be the best times to travel to Oman but why you might also consider the summer months.
It all depends on the type of experiences you enjoy, the people you are travelling with and where you want to visit.
So let’s take a deep dive into when is the best time to travel to Oman for you. First, some facts about Oman’s weather:
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What’s the hottest month in Oman?
June is the hottest month in the northern part of Oman when you’ll find temperatures soar to the low 40℃s. Humidity is also high making this a really uncomfortable month in Oman’s capital, Muscat. Schools go on summer holiday in June and don’t return until the end of August.
By contrast Salalah in the southern Dhofar region can be 10℃ cooler at this time of year, which makes it an attractive summer destination for Omanis and other people across the Arabian Peninsular.
Check out the latest weather in some of Oman’s cities now:
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Is there a rainy season in Oman?
The Dhofar region is where you can experience a proper rainy season in Oman. The Khareef, Arabic for ‘monsoon’, turns the area around the southern city of Salalah into a green jungle between June and September. Read more about the best time to visit Salalah below.
In the two years we have lived in northern Oman there have been stormy wet days in the winter, spring and summer months.
The rain doesn’t last for long so you can’t describe it as a rainy season, but it can have a signifiant impact on infrastructure for short periods of time.
It is dangerous to visit wadis (dry river beds) when it is raining or immediately after as they are prone to flash floods as rain water channels from the mountains to the coast.
These random rainy days are difficult to plan travel around, so you have to take advice from your holiday company, accommodation or guide about what to do as they occur. Do listen to travel warnings as people die in flash floods in Oman every year.
The Times of Oman and Oman Observer are good sources of news and extreme weather updates.
Best time to visit Oman for outdoor activities
If you want to visit famous Oman attractions like Wadi Shab and Bimmah Sinkhole, complete the Balcony Walk on Jebel Shams or stay a desert camp, the best time to visit Oman is between October and April.
Outdoor activities here are best experienced in the main tourist season when temperatures range from 25℃ to 35℃ on the coast and are even cooler in the mountains.
It’s also worth mentioning that Wahiba Sands camps shutdown between June and September. So if you want to experience incredible desert sunsets and sunrises you need to plan around these months.
Best time for seeing turtles
You can see and swim with turtles in Oman all year round. Arrange a boat trip from Muscat and visit the nearby Daymaniat Islands where turtles feed on the coral throughout the year.
The islands are a nature reserve where stepping foot on the beaches is not allowed between the end of April and end of October as this is turtle nesting season. But swimming with the turtles and other tropical fish, even sharks, is a magical experience not to miss.
If you want to see turtles laying eggs and their babies hatching then you can experience this at Ras Al Jinz nature reserve from May to September.
So if seeing turtles is your priority the best time to visit Oman is in the summer months when you can experience swimming with turtles and see them nesting.
Where to stay
If you want to include a snorkelling or boat trip in your Oman itinerary I’d recommend staying at Al Mouj where there are plenty of companies offering trips from the marina.
You can also find boat trips from Marina Bander Al Rowdha which is close to the Al Bustan Place hotel and Sheraton, and at Seeb Marina, which is to the north of the city. The Holiday Inn is a good place to stay nearby.
Best time to visit Oman to see Whale Sharks
Oman’s coast is on the migration route for Whale Sharks which can be seen each year feasting on the plankton rich waters off Muscat.
In 2024, they were spotted between May and July. They have been known to pass through in the autumn too but if you want a chance of seeing them then visit Oman in the summer.
NB: we’ve been on multiple boat trips over the past few years and still haven’t been lucky enough to see the Whale Sharks but know plenty of people who have.
The best time to visit Oman with kids
Take it from a mum, the summer holidays are not the best time to visit Oman. It’s simply too hot to enjoy exploring and you’ll quickly become exhausted.
For the most comfortable temperature visit the north of Oman between the end of October and beginning of April.
If you are visiting Oman with kids of school age it’s likely you’ll be limited to the Christmas, February half term, Easter and October half term holidays.
April is when the temperatures start to edge into the less comfortable early 30℃s peaking in the late 40℃s by June. They don’t drop back down below 30℃ until the end of October.
For this reason May half term is not the best time to visit, although it will be a lot quieter. The number of tourists drop and international schools here are not on holiday, so there’s less people visiting popular attractions during the week.
If you can only visit in May I’d recommend a couple of days on the coast before striking out to the mountains where the temperatures are a lot cooler.
For more information for families see my full guide to visiting Oman with kids including places to visit, where to stay and what to pack.
When to experience pomegranate season on Jebel Akhdar
Pomegranates are grown on Oman’s Green Mountain, Jebel Akhdar, between July and September.
Rummana is a festival that takes place at Janaen Farm where there are pomegranate orchards.
As well as picking your own fruits and making fresh juice you enjoy art installations, a fun fair, petting zoo and buy pomegranate inspired gifts.
Visit at night to experience the festival at its liveliest.
If you want to experience authentic Omani hospitality in an ancient mountain village we can recommend staying at The Suwgra. Or if a luxury hotel is more your style then check out the Anantara which has canyon views and villas with private pools.
When to see the rose harvest in Oman
Roses are one of Oman’s most beautiful crops and are used to create perfumes and sweet smelling water, as well as favouring drinks and sweets.
You can see them being grown in villages like Wakan in the Hajar Mountains in February.
If you want to stay near Wakan we can recommend SAMA Wakan Heritage Homes.
Best time to visit Salalah in Oman
If you ask anyone from the Arabian Peninsular ‘when is the best time to visit Salalah?’ they would say ‘during Khareef’.
The misty rains of the monsoon season arrive between June and September and with them the Dhofar landscape comes alive. The government arranges a programme of cultural and sports events to coincide with the rainy season attracting hundreds of thousands of tourists from across the region.
All of this makes Salalah very busy and expensive in the summer months.
If you’d prefer to experience the ‘land of frankincense’ when it is less busy then visit between October and May.
It’s still possible to see waterfalls, wadis and experience the region’s rich heritage as well as shop at the souqs whatever the time of year.
Search and check availability at Salalah hotels.
Visiting Oman at Christmas time
Oman is a Muslim country where Christmas is not generally celebrated. However, it is also very multicultural and many religious festivals are marked by and for expats. If you decide to visit Oman at Christmas time you will find low key festive activities.
International hotels lay on markets, Santa’s grottos and seasonal crafts. You can also book Christmas themed buffets at international hotels on Christmas Day.
Do not expect to see decorations or events elsewhere. 25 December is a normal working day with shops and tourist places open as usual.
New Year (31 December) is also not celebrated here. If you want to see fireworks at New Year include a trip to Abu Dhabi or Dubai in your holiday in the Middle East.
Visiting Oman during Ramadan
A month that tourists often wonder whether they should avoid is Ramadan.
Oman is a Muslim country where eating and drinking (even water) in daylight hours is not allowed during the holy month. It is much more conservative than the neighbouring UAE where non-Muslim visitors hardly notice any difference.
It’s worth noting that between now and 2040 Ramadan will fall during Oman’s main tourist season. So, rather than plan your trip around it, find out more about visiting Oman during Ramadan so you can make the most of it.
Final thoughts on the best time to visit Oman
If you want my honest opinion as someone who has seen all seasons in Oman, I would say the best time to visit is between October and the beginning of April. The simple fact is that the temperature is so much more comfortable for being outdoors.
We have wild camped in May, been on boat trips to the Daymaniat Islands in June and visited wadis in August. And we sweated a lot. If you are on holiday there’s no need to make things uncomfortable for yourselves.
However, there are advantages to coming during the summer. It’s whale shark season, Khareef and you have a better chance of seeing turtles nesting. Hotels are also a bit cheaper and you’ll find most tourist attractions relatively empty.
Which appeals most to you?
Before you go, check out these posts
Here are my latest blog posts about Oman:
- Best place to stay in Ras Al Jinz: SAMA Resort
- Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve – the good and bad
- Bimmah Sinkhole and Hawiyat Najm Park – what you need to know
- What’s the best time to visit Oman?
- Can you drink alcohol in Oman?
More essential reading before visiting Oman
As well as reading my guides about what you need to know about driving in Oman and what to pack, I can recommend buying the Lonely Planet guide to Oman, UAE & Arabian Peninsular.
I bought this before our move here and found it invaluable as an introduction to the country and culture.
Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links. If you click on one and make a purchase I may earn some commission. This does not affect the price you pay.