Dimaniyat Islands

Access to Ad Dimaniyat is regulated due to the islands’ protected status, with entry fees and permits required to visit. While you can apply for permits for independent sailing trips, most travelers skip the hassle by taking organized snorkeling and scuba excursions that typically include permits and admission fees.

Tour options cover every base: book private and shared half-day or full-day snorkel cruises by small boat or motor yacht; join shared scuba trips to various archipelago dive sites; or opt for snorkel-and-scuba combos. Snorkel tours typically include snorkel equipment, while boat trips often include on-board snacks or lunch depending on duration. There’s a good chance of seeing dolphins from boats, while cruises between July-September offer the opportunity to spot whale sharks.

• The Ad Dimaniyat Islands are heaven for snorkel, scuba, marine, bird-watching, and photography enthusiasts.
• Pack a hat, shades, sunscreen, water, and a light scarf for the boat, plus wet shoes, a towel, and a rash vest if snorkeling.
• For women, 1-piece swimsuits are recommended out of respect for local culture.
• Many boats have restrooms and shaded areas.

The Ad Dimaniyat Islands lie around 26 miles (42 kilometers) northwest of Muscat in the Gulf of Oman, and are only accessible via a boat journey that typically takes around one hour. The easiest option is organized cruises leaving from Muscat’s Al Mouj Marina, Marina Bandar Al Rowdha, or Seeb Marina to the west. Reaching the marinas requires a cab or self-drive car: most excursions don’t include transport to their departure points.

You can visit the Ad Dimaniyat Islands year-round, although the most popular time is Oman’s peak November-April season. During this period, the waters usually hover around a comfortable 73°F (23°C), and visitors can land on the islands to relax or walk on the beaches, which isn’t permitted between May-October due to turtle-nesting. If you’re keen to see whale sharks, the best time for sightings is July to September.

Aside from the islands’ beauty, their biggest draw is their wildlife. Turtles, rays, eels, angelfish, parrotfish, and clownfish flit around the corals, while whale sharks can be spotted during the summer and early fall. Other potential sightings include dolphins and marine birds like red-billed tropicbirds, sooty terns, and ospreys.