By Zuwaina Al Sulimani
Bar Al Hikman is a wetland pearl that, sadly, few people in and outside of Oman are aware of. Furthermore, it is a rich site of mudflats and breathtaking landscapes.
It is a vital and diverse habitat for fish, whales, turtles, and birds both locally and globally.
It is a one-of-a-kind area with a diverse range of marshes, islands, mangroves, and marine habitats for turtles and other marine mammals such as the endangered humpback whale.
It is extremely rich in diverse bird species that live in a healthy ecosystem.
It is the most important stopover for shorebirds flying from Western Asia to East Africa.
It serves as a nesting and feeding ground for over 500,000 waterbirds.
From September to February, a spectacular island appears on Oman’s eastern coast.
It’s called “the Solar Island,” in Bar Al Hikman. It has the largest coral reefs in Oman as well as a diverse range of sea creatures and fish. This island is well-known for its sea diving activities.
During the summer, the island is almost non-existent due to the strong winds. Sea diving is not recommended due to the risk of not being able to see through the sea. Kitesurfing, on the other hand, is a highly recommended summer activity in Bar Al Hikman. Shorebirds and migratory birds such as pink Grater flamingos, grey-brown sandpipers, sand plovers, Godwit, and Curlew can be found on the island. According to recent surveys, Bar Al-Hikman is an internationally important site for more than 500,000 different shorebirds.
Muntasar al Hinai, a solo traveller, visits Bar Al Hikman three times a month to enjoy the place and take amazing pictures and videos to share on social media to encourage people in Oman and beyond to visit the place. The journey from Muscat to Bar Al Hikman takes nearly four hours and thirty minutes. There are two entrances; the visitor can take the Mahout to Bar Al Hikman route or the Film route to Bar Al Hikman route.
“The road is difficult to navigate because the land is wet and strewn with mud. The tides and the moon also have an impact on the site. It is difficult to be reached “, he explains.
He recommends, “People who want to visit Bar Al Hikman for the first time should hire a tour guide or use an offline GPS because the connection is nearly cut off”!
He claims that hundreds of tourists from gulf countries such as Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, as well as foreigners from all over the world, visit Bar Al Hikman to enjoy the beautiful islands and birds.
He encourages tourists to visit the place to enjoy the astonishing landscapes, the diverse ecosystem and the untouched nature. He is amazed by the diversity of both land and animals and he wants people to enjoy that.
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