12 Best Sights in Oman

Tucked behind the small village of Al Bustan, this beach shares the same stretch of sand as the opulent Ritz-Carlton Al Bustan Palace Hotel. After a short stroll through the cobblestone alleys of the village past groups of old Oman women sitting and chatting together in the shade, steps will lead you directly onto the beach, where fishermen will look up from their nets to eye you, and children will likely be playing football. Move beyond the makeshift football field towards the hotel grounds. Just before the private section beach, at the base of towering rock formations, you can lay out your towels and coolers and spend the day swimming and taking in the happy sounds of the buzzing strand. In the village is a small barbecue restaurant and tea shop, but there are no formal facilities at this lovely beach. Amenities: parking (free). Best for: sunrise; sunset.

For a small price you are granted access to the quiet, clean beach at the Capital Yacht Club in Sidab, about 25 minutes from most hotels in Muscat. You'll find picnic tables, lounge chairs, and umbrellas already set up, and you are welcome to bring your own food and drinks. There is often a snack shop set up on the beach offering fresh juices, water, and light snacks. The beach itself is tucked between towering rock mountains, with crystal clear, warm water that is perfect for swimming and snorkling. This is one of the best options in Oman, and it comes totally stress-free. Just remember to bring a towel, as they are not provided. Amenities: food and drink; parking (included with entrance fee); showers; toilets. Best for: swimming.

The Sur corniche is a 4-km (2½-mile) oceanfront walkway around the oldest part of the city. Along the main stretch that runs along the sea, you can take in views of the beautiful wooden dhow in the harbor and the ancient watchtower across the bay in the village of Al Ayjah, while the inlet side offers views of the mosque-dominated skyline of the newer part of the city across the water. Along the route is a stretch of sandy beach, the dhow factory, and the maritime museum. It is the perfect place to walk in the evening, just before sunset when the weather is cool and the light is starting to wane. At night, it is a favorite hangout of local residents, who set up their folding chairs, little barbecue grills, and sheesha pipes along the road.

This large public beach is a great place to take a jog, have a picnic or swim and is popular with families during the day. There are Jet Ski rentals and kite-surfing lessons available from small shops at either end of the beach as well. At night, it is a favorite spot for young Omanis and expats to barbecue. Locals either park in the large lot and lug their gear onto a prime patch of sand, or those with SUVs drive directly onto the beach, where woven plastic mats (available at any of the hypermarkets) and grills are set up. On the weekends the night air is filled with the smell of grilling and the sounds of music and people laughing. It is an especially nice place for a midnight swim. There are sometimes grillers serving barbecue called mishkak from the main parking lot, but it is best to bring your own provisions. Amenities: parking (free); toilets. Best for: swimming; walking.

On the newer, northern side of Sur, between the Al Maha fuel station roundabout and the Sur Beach Holiday Hotel, there is stretch of white sandy beach, replete with gazebos and a well-lit walking path. A café provides toilets on the roundabout end of the stretch, and small juice and tea shops can be found on the hotel side for other refreshments. It is more popular for walking in the evenings than for swimming. Amenities: food and drink; parking (free). Best for: walking.

Along the main corniche in Sur is a very active beach with shaded sitting areas, opposite where old dhows bob in the harbor, fishing boats pull up directly on the shore, and local teenagers play football in the sand. It is a wonderful beach for relaxing and people-watching. There are limited facilities on the beach, but you'll find many small coffee shops and restaurants on the other side of the road and at either end of the Corniche where you can buy refreshments and find toilets. This is a public beach in a conservative town, so dress modestly. Wraps and cover-ups are recommended. Amenities: food and drink; toilets; parking. Best for: sunset; sunrise; walking.

Just off the 17 freeway at the exit for "Ancient Town of Qalhat," you'll find a strech of pristine, virtually empty beach with concrete shade huts built directly in the sand. It is a great place to bring a cooler so you can barbecue in one of the shaded huts, taking dips in the water to cool down and likely seeing only one other group on the entire beach. This privacy comes at the expense of convenience, as there are no restroom facilities or shops nearby, so bring your own provisions, and be prepared to rough it a bit. Amenities: parking. Best for: solitude.

Located on the so-called "Love Street" this small beach remains relatively empty during the week but is bustling on the weekends and in the evenings, when young Omanis like to cruise the street showing off their cars and motorcycles. The water is calm and good for swimming, and often there are men offering Jet Ski rentals. On the short boardwalk along Shati Street you'll find two restaurants and two coffee shops with restrooms and free Wi-Fi, albeit with rather expensive food offerings for what you get. Expect to pay for the view and the convenience. After the sun sets, a mishkak stand appears in the parking lot at the far northern end of the beach serving skewers of barbecued beef and squid. Amenities: food and drink; parking (free); water sports. Best for: sunset; walking.

About 40 minutes south of Sur are the sprawling, remote beaches of Ras Al Hadd. The surrounding town has almost nothing in the way of amenities aside from a coffee shop or two, which are closed during the day. The beach itself is massive and quiet, with one set of public toilets at the parking lot close to town but no other amenities. The water is crystal clear and great for swimming. This is one of the places in the area where you can see giant sea turtles at certain times of year, so take care not to step on nests if you are there in turtle season. It is a true escape from civilization for those looking to get off the grid; just be sure to bring your own snacks and drinks. Amenities: parking; toilets. Best for: solitude.

Few people have the chance to see sea turtles belly-up to shore to lay their eggs and bury them in the sand, and even fewer have the opportunity to see the eggs hatch and watch the young creatures struggle down the beach to the awaiting sea. Each evening around 9 (or very early in the morning, around 4 am) visitors are able to see this phenomenon for themselves at the turtle reserve in Ras Al Jinz, about an hour to the south of Sur. There is a small turtle museum on-site, as well as a small hotel, though it is easier and more comfortable to stay in Sur and come just for the guided turtle-watching tour. It is good to note that there is often a checkpoint set up between Sur and Ras Al Jinz. The young, friendly soldiers will check your passport, driver's license, and car insurance and send you on your way, so have these documents at the ready.

Reaching this beach requires a mountanous drive along gravel roads, and then finding the ideal spot to set up may require some cruising up and down the shoreline, but this secluded beach is a great place to fish and enjoy nature. There are no facilities, restaurants, or shops for miles, so it is best to fill the car with anything you might want. The soft sand beaches make good sites to set up a tent and camp. Amenities: none. Best for: solitude.