The Wilayat of Khasab, overlooking the Sea of Oman from the east, is a city in the exclave of Oman. Khasab is the administrative centre of Musandam on the coast of the Strait of Hormuz between Iran, United Arab Emirates and Oman. The wilayat is located 570 km away from Muscat. The area is distinguished for its stunning villages and thrilling roads leading trekkers to the mountainous spots in Khasab.
The wilayat offers the perfect starting point to explore the unknown Musandam peninsula and its special and unique traditions and culture. Today, you can enjoy great locations in and around the city and spend several days enjoying the region.
Khasab, home to Khasab Port, takes its name from its fertile soil. Khasab can be reached by daily flights from Muscat, by sea in fast ferries and by car through a road that cuts through the UAE.
The wilayat covers 136 coastal and mountainous hamlets that differ in their terrains. Khasab experiences humidity in summer and the rainy, cold weather in winter. Though the name of Khasab is attributed to fertility of the soil, agriculture and many dams, the wilayat has been witnessing lack of rains recently.
Khasab Castle is located in the wilayat. Omanis rebuilt it on the ruins of the old castle constructed by the Portuguese in the seventeenth century on top of an ancient fort existed since unknown times.
The castle’s gigantic middle tower is now a museum which displays various handicrafts and archaeological collections.
A model of Bayt AlQefel (the lock house) is built in the castle’s courtyard in addition to a well that demonstrates the method of drawing water from it.
Al Kamazerah Castle is located in the heart of the town in addition to three towers named as Seebah, Kabs Al Qasr and Said bin Ahmed.
The wilayat comprises old mosques such as Al Seebah that was rebuilt in 1980, Al Souq and Al Kamazerah that were rebuilt during the prosperous era.
The Wilayat of Khasab enjoys magnificent tourist landmarks including islands and khors. The longest and most dramatic of all the Musandam khors is Khor ash Sham that stretches for some 16 km in total, hemmed in between two high lines of mountains. A string of remote hamlets dots the shoreline, accessible only by boat, each a home to a small number of families.
The khor is home to dolphins that get attracted by the sound of boat engines. They’ll often swim alongside passing dhows, dipping playfully in and out of the water.
About halfway down Khor ash Sham lies the lonely Telegraph Island (or Jazirat Telegraph) that is counted as a popular stopping point for dhow cruises halting here for lunch. Boats can moor next to the island at high tide. At low tide you’ll have to swim across. The area enfolds pure springs, wadis, green landscapes and clean beaches.
Inhabitants of the wilayat practise a number of traditional occupations like fishing, livestock rearing, cultivating date palms, lemon and vegetables.
Khasab encompasses essential government services including hospitals, health centres, sports complex, Omani Women’s Association, airport, police and civil defence stations, road networks and crafts authority. There are plans to set up a referral hospital and a college.
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