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The Arab state of Oman might not be the first place you think of for dolphin watching, but twenty species of cetaceans have been recorded there and the country’s long coastline makes it a fantastic place to see them in their natural environment. Look out for late holiday deals to this lesser-known dolphin hotspot as you can catch them all year round.
Dolphins are attracted to the shores of Oman because of the abundance of tuna fish in the Arabian Gulf. Bottlenose, Common, Rough-Toothed, Humpback, Risso’s, Spinner, Spotted and Striped dolphins all share the beautiful coastline of the Sultanate of Oman and are among the types you could see playing around your boat.
The coast off the capital of Muscat is easily accessible and has a number of companies running dolphin-watching tours. Early in the morning or in the evening is the best time to go out as the light is at its best and the sea is usually at its calmest; dolphins will not normally come to the surface in rough conditions. The majority of sightings have been close to land so you probably won’t have to travel far to catch your first glimpse – dolphins are easier to spot than whales as they tend to swim in big groups and surface regularly, and the first thing you’re likely to see is the splashing!
Spinner dolphins are the most commonly sighted species near Muscat, and they will put on a great show. You can spot them by their long beak, dark top and lighter under-belly. Famous for their acrobatics, they can leap 3 metres into the air and then spin their bodies around up to seven times before diving back in. The sociable Bottlenose dolphins, recognisable by their grey body and dark dorsal fin, can also be seen mixing with the Spinners and riding the waves (‘bow-riding’).
Further down the coastline, the village of Ras Al Hadd is famous for its turtle beaches but dolphins are also known to visit the Sur waters in search of the nutrient rich currents of the Arabian Sea.
Up in the far north region of Musandam, the piece of land which juts out between the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, Humpback dolphins can be spotted. Here the cliffs of the Hajar Mountains stand in the sea and provide lots of inlets and fjords for the dolphins to make their home. Indo-Pacific Humpback dolphins vary in colour from white to yellow to pink, and it’s a real treat to see them as they are slower swimming and warier of boats than some other dolphins.
Musandam is only an hour and a half flight away from Muscat and is also a fantastic place for diving; tropical fish and turtles live among the coral beds only a few metres away from the coast so remember your snorkel. You can get onboard a traditional Omani dhow boat in the capital of Khasab to spot the wildlife and just enjoy the tranquillity of the area.
