The Turtle Reserve management is preparing to welcome tourists during the Eid al Adha holidays. With the peak of the turtle nesting season in the Ras al Hadd area coinciding with the Eid holiday, the reserve expects a significant increase in tourist numbers.
Located on a vast 120-square-kilometre area, the Turtle Reserve in Ras al Hadd is renowned as one of the most captivating tourist attractions in the Sultanate of Oman. It serves as a home to over 20,000 turtles, predominantly green turtles.
Established in 1996, the reserve's primary objective is the conservation of turtle species that inhabit the Arabian Gulf, as well as those migrating to the coasts of the Sea of Oman from the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, and Somalia. It stands as one of the world's largest nesting sites for the endangered green sea turtle. Each year, tens of thousands of turtles migrate to this region, laying an impressive number of eggs.
A highlight for visitors at the reserve is observing turtles laying their eggs. The reserve management organises two tours daily, in the evening and morning, with experienced guides specialising in marine life protection. These visits provide a unique opportunity to witness sea turtles in their natural habitats as they lay their eggs.
Ras al Jinz Turtle Reserve captivates tourists from around the globe. Official statistics reveal that the average number of visitors on regular days ranges between 300 and 500, while during official holidays, the count reaches 700 visitors.
Apart from the sea turtle encounters, the reserve offers the chance to enjoy its pristine sandy beaches. Upon arrival, guests are provided with guidelines and regulations that must be followed, including not using excessive lighting or loud noises and refraining from littering.
Visitors eagerly await the morning tour, commencing at five o'clock. This tour offers the breathtaking sight of sunrise, as this region is recognised as the first area where the sun rises in the Middle East. It presents tourists with the opportunity to capture beautiful memories through photographs and create unforgettable moments.
During a visit to the reserve, visitors may also spot dolphins and seabirds that frequent the coasts of this region from time to time.
Established in 2008, the Museum of the Scientific Center of the Turtle Reserve is a state-of-the-art science museum that provides comprehensive information about turtles and their life cycle. The museum features cutting-edge technology and offers scientific presentations in multiple languages, including Arabic, German, and English.
Additionally, the museum showcases a three-dimensional screen that explains the history of the reserve's location, highlights the significant crafts practiced by the region's residents, and exhibits important archaeological findings. Notably, the museum houses a model of the Majan civilisation boat, constructed entirely from sugar cane.
Ras al Jinz, a fishing village situated within the Ras al Hadd Turtle Reserve on the eastern shores of the Arabian Peninsula, boasts a world-renowned beach known for the nesting endangered green turtle (Chelonia mydas). It is considered the most vital nesting concentration in the Indian Ocean. This location provides the public with a unique opportunity to observe the nesting process of these extraordinary sea giants.
Text & Photos by Yahya al Salmani
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