Dolphin watching is extremely popular in Oman given the large numbers in which these mammals flock to local waters. Muscat and Musandam attract the most amount dolphin watchers. Muscat, Oman’s port capital, is drawing in more and more tourists each year. The city’s skyline is an interesting mix of old Portuguese buildings and modern day high rises, closely wrapped by mountains and desert. In Muscat, accommodation is not hard to come by with many of the better known hotel chains being represented. It is generally a good idea to select a centrally located establishment with easy access to public transport. Business and leisure travellers alike will enjoy the conveniences offers by Al Falaj Hotel, which is located close to the business district and also to Muscat’s top tourist attractions.
Take a dolphin tour, not just to admire the majestic, marine creatures but also to enjoy sweeping views of the capital city from the Gulf of Oman. Look up tour companies like ‘Dolphin Khasab Tours’ that have pledged to preserve and protect the natural environment,including the dolphins, as they conduct their business. The summer months bring heat and humidity but calmer seas for those who are prone to seasickness.
Spinner Dolphins are the most common species found in the Gulf of Oman. Viewers can expect to be treated to the spinning leaps, which give these creatures their name. Pods of Spinners are often joined by Long-nosed Common Dolphins. Risso’s Dolphins, Indian Ocean Dolphins, Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins, Common Bottlenose Dolphins, Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins, Rough-toothed Dolphins, Pantropical Spotted Dolphins and Striped Dolphins have also been known to frequent Omani waters. Though less common, Bryde’s Whales, Humpback Whales and even Killer Whales have been spotted off the coast of Muscat.
Uditha Dharmawardhane is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Roland Lefevre. He specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe.
