Only a handful of dive centers have daily trips to scuba dive sites in Oman, most of which cluster off the shore of Muscat. The main diving sites in Oman are Daymaniyat Islands, Fahal Island, and the Al Munassir wreck and reefs of Bandar Kharyan.
Top Sites Diving In Oman
There are 6 dive sites in Oman. Out of these, 5 are Reef dives, 2 are Pinnacle dives and 2 are Sandy bottom dives.
1. Daymaniyat Island

Visibility: 85 feet / 26 meters
Dive Types: Reef
Best Time: The best times to spot whale sharks are September to November
Accessibility: 45-minute boat ride from Al-Mouj Marina, Muscat
Permit: Permit required to visit
2. Al Fahal Island

This island is also known as Shark Island and offers a variety of swim-throughs, caves, wrecks, soft and hard coral gardens, and best of all, sharks on the seafloor. It looks like an aquarium with all the varieties of corals that Oman has, making it very versatile and vibrant. You can see the schools of barracuda and Mobula rays swimming above you in the clear turquoise water. And how can we forget giant eagle rays? There is plenty to explore, and many divers consider it to be at the top of their diving destinations in Oman.
Visibility: 40 meters/130 feet
Dive Types: Pinnacle, Reef, Sandy bottom, Wall
Best Time: September to November
Accessibility: Located 4 km off Al Qurum beach in Muscat
3. Al Munnassir Wreck

Visibility: 10 to 28 metres
Accessibility: Off the coast of Muscat
Caution: You need an advanced Open Water certification card to access this location.
4. Bandar Khayran

Bandar Khayran is located 25 km southeast of Muscat and is accessible only by boats. This area is lined with sedimentary rocks, which are unique to this area. It predominantly contains shallow coral reefs, honeycomb moray eels, and various fishes. It has an average depth of 15 meters, so it is excellent for those looking for open-water certifications. It is also a popular spot for dolphin watching in Oman.
Visibility: 5-20 meters
Accessibility: 30 min boat ride from Muscat
5. Turtle City

The Turtle City is the best diving site for beginners and is located just adjacent to the Al Munnassir wreck. It has a sheltered cove and various species of sea turtles visit it. You can find hawksbills and green turtles, and this place is visited by 5 of the seven species of sea turtles.
Visibility: 22 feet / 7 meters
Dive Types: Reef
Permit: Permit required to visit Turtle Island
Best Time For Diving In Oman
Diving is done all year round in Oman. However, in the season of Khareef, which is between June and September, diving is not allowed down South. The best time for diving is between April and May or September and November, with ideal weather conditions and moderate temperatures.Best Operators for Diving in Oman
1. Mola Mola Diving Centre, MuscatAddress: Al Mouj Marina, 18 November St
Bookings: molamoladivingcenter.com
2. Extra Divers, Daymaniyat Islands
Address: Al Sawadi Beach Resort
Bookings: [email protected]
3. Oman Sail Sailing School, Daymaniyat
Website: omansail.com
4. Omanta Scuba Diving Academy, Muscat
Address: The Boat House, Hotel Intercontinental
Bookings & Other info: [email protected]
5. Euro Divers, Muscat
Address: Marina Bandar Al Rhowda, Al Saidiyah Street
Bookings & Other info: [email protected]
6. Octopus Diving Center, Muscat
Bookings & Other info: [email protected]
7. Global Scuba
Address: Medinat Sultan Qaboos PC115
Bookings & Other info: [email protected] or visit global-scuba.com
Best Diving Liveaboards In Oman
1. Queen Of Musandam

Duration: Liveaboard cruises range from 1 to 7 days.
Price: Starting from OMR 570 (USD 2999)
Dive Spots: This diving expedition covers the Gulf of Oman, Sheesah Bay and Red Island.
Inclusion: Suit, Training and other equipment
2. Oman Aggressor

Duration: Liveaboard cruises are of 8 days and 7 nights.
Price: OMR 1150 (USD 2987)
Inclusion: Suit, Training and other equipment
3. Red Dhow

Duration: Liveaboard cruises range from 1 to 6 days.
Price: Starting from OMR 40/day (USD 103)
Inclusion: Suit, Training and other equipment
Tips For Diving In Oman
- Always ensure you know about the facilities provided on the cruise. You might have to carry stuff like towels or drinking water or even rent equipment beforehand to avoid problems during the trip.
- Contact the dive centre and ask your queries. If they do not communicate well with you, it is a good indication that it might not be the right choice.
- Carry your certifications if it are required.
- Try to book for the first dive of the day, as they tend to be the best in terms of visibility.