Dive And Explore Oman Tour

Upon arrival in Salalah Airport in Southern Oman, you will be met by a representative of the Saman Explorer or Aggressor liveaboard, for the 30 minute journey to the Marina jetty to board your chosen diving liveaboard. Both of these boats are superb! 

The 6 night dive cruise will take in the untouched dive sites, pristine corals and wrecks of the Hallaniyat Islands, with a good chance of seeing Whales in this area. This small archipelago is located off the south eastern coast of Oman the two main islands being Al Hallaniyah and Al Sawda. Relatively untouched and undiscovered, the rugged and barren islands rise from the deep and are home to some small fishing communities.

Tourism in the area is relatively new and the islands are only accessible by these liveaboards, giving you the chance to be one of the first to explore this untouched area. Diving highlights are undoubtedly the opportunity to be in the water with the resident population of humpback whales but also include encounters with manta rays and sperm whales. The islands boast a healthy marine life and you’ll see huge schools of fish at most dive sites. Huge pods of dolphin are often seen as are green turtles. There are also opportunities to explore some wrecks. The diving in the area is exploratory and suited to experienced divers.

After disembarking the liveaboard you will be transferred to the stunning Anantara All Baleed hotel, a beautiful luxury beach resort. This will give you a little time to explore the area and also 'gas off' prior to your next flight up to Muscat.

Salalah is located in the southern Dhofar region of Oman, known for its frankincense, dramatic mountains and 'khareef'; a monsoon which occurs during the summer months, turning the countryside lush and green. The town of Salalah is home to souks and garden farms, selling bananas, papaya and coconut. Salalah is also the gateway to the mystical Empty Quarter, the largest sand desert in the world.

After taking a short flight from Salalah up to Muscat, there is a short 15 minute transfer to the ultra modern and new Kempinski Hotel in the Wave Marina. For those that would like a more tranquil setting, we recommend The Chedi Hotel.

From this part of Muscat the Damaniyat Island can be reached by fast boat in around 45 minutes. This area is arguably the very best diving in the whole of Oman! Apart of the huge abundance of marine life, this is a superb place to see Whale Sharks from September through to October.

The diving around the Damaniyat Islands is spectacular with walls, drop-offs, submerged reefs, swim-throughs and caves. Coral reefs cover up to 70% of the dive sites with more than a hundred different species of soft and hard coral. Marine life is abundant with prolific numbers of colourful reef fish, stingrays, occasional turtles and leopard sharks.

With the vast variety of sea life and coral close to the surface, snorkelling is also a particularly rewarding experience here.

To finish off this amazing trip, we recommend at least 3 nights in the mountains of Al Jabal, to unwind and take in the stunning scenery from the unique Alila Mountain Spa Retreat.