Bandar Al Khairan

Bandar Al Khairan is an excellent diving location for anyone visiting Muscat on a short trip. There is no need to stress about planning a journey to the remote reaches of the globe when you have one right in your own backyard (not literally though). Bandar Al Khairan is the most picturesque island in the Muscat governorate, making it a favourite weekend escape for locals and tourists alike.

The route to the island passes via magnificent seaside cuts of naturally occurring limestone cliffs that have been broken into exquisite pieces, allowing boats to sail through. Bandar Al Khairan Island offers three scuba diving locations for a complete diving experience in Oman. The first dive site, Al-Munassir, is a wreck dive that has transformed into an artificial coral reef and is a key source of life for many marine animals in the area. Mermaid Cove, a rocky inlet on the island, is another popular diving spot. This scuba diving site is known for its hard colorful corals and excellent underwater visibility. Seahorse Bay is the island's final diving location. The number of moray eels, anemone shrimps, and clownfish at this scuba diving spot is legendary.

Due to dense haze clouds forming in the vicinity, the best visibility cannot be guaranteed at this diving site for the majority of the months. Keep reading to learn more about the best diving sites in Oman.

Location: 25km from the Muttrah area in Muscat (15 minutes fast boat ride from Marina Al Rowdha in Sidab, Muscat)