Muscat: Anyone who has been to Oman would have realized by now that it is a big waterpark offering an amazing array of water adventures. But a trip to Musandam would open a new world of even finer sea adventures.
Located north of Oman, Musandam can be accessed three ways from Muscat: first, by taking the long drive that can last 8 hours with a complex entry to the UAE border and then reentry to the Oman border; second, by taking the limited ferry schedule from Shinas or Masirah; and third, through daily flights via plane.
A full-day cruise in Musandam costs around OMR 18, and while it may sound pricey, it's a cruise that's truly worth your money. Having visited Musandam recently, we have come to realize that finding a dhow cruise is quite easy. While online direct bookings can be made through cruise company websites or social media accounts, you can also visit the port area and ask around to find a cruise that fits your schedule. We did the latter. There are plenty of cruises to choose from, and the dhows, while they generally look alike, have different features. We chose the one that includes snorkelling and kayaking, with lunch coming free with the cruise.
The cruise routes can vary, navigating the beautiful waters of Musandam and passing through popular islands like Telegraph Island. If you're planning a trip to Musandam, here are a few tips to take note of.
1. Allocate some time to explore Khasab Castle. Among the many ancient structures in Musandam, Khasab Castle is right at the heart of it. This castle offers plenty of insight into the governorate. Walk around and check out the unique "House of Lock" as well as the "Summer Dwelling." There are helpful notes that talk about how they were built and what their purposes are. Don't forget to go inside the different wings of the castle as well. Upon entry, the one on the left is the Imam Room, the right is the Arsenal Room, and opposite it is the traditional customs museum. Armed with information from the Khasab Castle tour, the drive around the governorate will be more meaningful and experiential.
2. Pre-arrange your Kumzar Island trip. What a lot of people don't know is that Kumzar is quite a long boat trip that arranging for a private boat to take you there would cost you a minimum of OMR80. The cheapest option is joining a dhow cruise with Kumzar as one of the stops but this option may not be readily available upon arrival. If you're going as a group, splitting the private tour charge will make more sense but due to its location, you might end up visiting Kumzar and not be able to do other island adventures. Make sure to find a tour operator early on as this will save you from disappointment.
3. The best way to enjoy seafood. If you know where to look, seafood in Musandam is really cheap. One thing you have to understand though is that you might not find a fine-dining seafood restaurant on the island. If you're up for a true foodie adventure, you can buy fresh seafood from the marina/port and bring it to one of the restaurants and ask them if they can cook it for you. You can also try this option before embarking on a dhow cruise. If you're going camping, then cooking your own seafood will be an amazing experience, one that will save you tons of money.
4. Visit places less travelled.
Bukha is known for its amazing ancient forts as well as the beautiful mosque fronting the long, white sandy beach. Between Khasab and Khada, you will also find pockets of beaches with small charming coastal villages perfect for an afternoon drive and exploration. Do not stay on the main road but instead, take some of the unfamiliar roads leading to the mountains.
One of the amazing discoveries we made is the mini-forest in Sall Ala that between November to March, depending on the rains, transforms into a paradise like those found during Khareef in Dhofar. Everything in Musandam, by land, is about an hour and a half drive so if you have a four-wheel drive, you'd be able to explore the tops of mountains with an amazing view of the fjords.
5. Things to remember. If you're flying, remember not to take any photos at the airport. This is strictly forbidden as the airport belongs to the Royal Oman Police and is therefore subject to very strict measures. While Musandam can be visited the whole year through, of course, the best time to visit is somewhere between October to March when the temperature is cooler. Cars can be rented right at the airport and options for sedan or four-wheel drives are readily available. Do not miss on taking the dhow cruises as this is the heart of visiting Musandam.
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