Central Coastal Oman

[[file:Central Coastal Oman Banner.jpg|1280px|Wadi Bani Khalid|]] Bibi Maryam mausoleum (4) (26281535647) - Ruins of Bibi Maryam mausoleum, Qalhat

Central Coastal Oman is in Oman. There are several caves in the area.

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Cities

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Masirah Island - A desert island experience awaits on this haven for turtles and other wildlife.
Wahiba Sands - Massive rolling dunes as far as the eye can see.

Bimmah Sinkhole 2 - Bimmah Sinkhole

Bimmah Sinkhole - Hawiyat Najm Park: 'Meteor Fall Park' | 23.035872, 59.071993 6 kilometers south of Dibab/Dabab, off of the rd from Qurayat to Sur Bimmah Sinkhole - Bimmah Sinkhole 2 A deep sinkhole about 0.5 kilometers inland from the coast, filled with blue-green brackish water. The local residents say that a meteor fell on this spot of land, resulting in the natural depression and forming a small lake. The sinkhole is located within a walled park, with picnic and toilet facilities. Swimming is permitted. The sinkhole is connected to several cave networks, as yet not fully explored.

Ras al-Jinz Turtle Reserve @rtlereserve.com 22.42563, 59.82725 45 kilometers south of Sur ☎ +968 9655 0606 Opening Hours: Escorted tours daily at 21:00; reservations recommended OMR 3 (adults), OMR 1 (children) Ras al-Jinz Ras al-Jinz (6) This area is a critical nesting beach for the endangered green turtle, and is under the protection of the Ministry of Environment. The only way to visit is with an escort, and groups are limited to 15 people. September to November is the best time to witness both egg laying and turtle hatching.

Ancient City of Qalhat 22.6949, 59.3747 20 kilometers north of Sur - Qalhat - Once an important port on the route between East Africa and Asia, ancient Qalhat is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Sadly, nowadays little is left of the city that greatly impressed the 14th century Moroccan traveller and scholar Ibn Battuta.

Wadi Bani Khalid (6) - Wadi Bani Khalid

With pools and a cave, thit is a justifiably popular outing easily accessible from Muscat.

Head south of Ibra on Highway 23, and turn at the sign GPS 22.4942,58.93797 for 'A'Rumail' and 'Wadi Bani Khalid'.
Turn left at the village of Mizayra GPS 22.57132,59.09817. Follow the main paved road for 6.5km to a vehicle park. A short distance beyond thit is a large natural swimmingpool GPS 22.61916,59.09324 - Wadi Bani Khalid RB.jpg, perfect for swimming.
The trekking path E35 begins on the right side of the pool; thit is a challenging 2-day trek across the mountains to Wadi Tiwi on the coast. A 20-minutes walk along this path passes along smaller pools and eventually brings you to Miqil Cave GPS 22.62376,59.09636 Miqil Cave 2.jpg(Muqal Cave), marked by a set of concrete steps. A headlight or torch is required here.
Turning right, rather than left, at Mizayra will bring you to the village of Bidah GPS 22.55089,59.11759 with some seasonal waterfalls. A 4-hour trekking path toward the village of Sayq begins here.

Wadi Tiwi (1) - Wadi Tiwi White-Sand Beach of Oman - White Sand Beach

Wadi Ash Shab - Wadi Shab | 22.83912, 59.24519 1½ hrs south of Muscat, off of Highway 17 - Oman-Wadi-Shab-34 - One of the most beautiful – and popular – wadis easily accessible from Muscat, with water year-round. The entrance is underneath the Highway 17 overpass, with ample parking and toilet facilities available. The path begins on the opposite side of the waterway, and local boatmen charge RO 1 to ferry visitors across (return trip). The partly concreted path winds past a falaj (irrigation) system, palm plantations and villages, and steep rock faces. Eventually the concrete disappears and it is necessary to do some scrambling before emerging to a series of inviting water pools. A hidden cavern can be visited by swimming through the pools, accessible only by swimming underwater for 1-2 metres. Plan on three hours for the round trip.
Occasionally after winter rains the pathway will be washed out in sections and therefore trickier to follow. Also, it is strongly advised to wear modest swimwear (and do not simply change into it in the open!). While Omanis may be too polite to say anything to visitors who ignore this simple courtesy and they find it deeply offensive.

Wadi Tiwi 22.7734363, 59.2140132 access from exit for Tiwi village, off of Highway 17 - Wadi Tiwi (1) . The village of Tiwi marks the starting point of a challenging off-road drive. The beginning of the road is paved, but shortly after passing the village of Harat Bidah degrades to a dirt track before terminating at the village of Mibam.

E35 trailhead 22.78674, 59.22817 - This challenging 2-day, 28-kilometre trail connects with Wadi Bani Khalid (described above in 'Itineraries'). There is plenty of parking at the trailhead.

Wadi Al Arbaeen 23.029167, 58.982166 access from exit for Wadi Al Arbaeen, off of Highway 17 - This wadi is really worth a visit to take a dip in fresh water pools. It still looks wild and untouched as it is less visited. It is 16 kilometers away from the exit on the Highway 17 (including an off-road drive of about 12 kilometers).

Majlis al Jinn - Majlis al-Jinn / Khoshilat Maqandeli | 22.88064, 59.10521 off of Highway 17 - Majlis al Jinn - Ascending Majlis al Jinn - This cave has the second-largest chamber in the world, and was discovered by American hydrologists in 1983. The cave can only be visited via free-rappelling from the roof with 200 m of rope. Currently plans are underway to improve public access; in the interim cavers must obtain a special government permit. Access is via a rough dirt track requiring a sturdy 4WD.

White Sand Beach 22.89406, 59.22206 5 kilometers south of Fins, via a dirt road along the coast - White-Sand Beach of Oman.JPG Great for snorkeling; no facilities.