Discover the Natural Wonders of Oman
Tucked into the southeastern corner of the vast Arabian Peninsula, Oman has historically been isolated by mountains, sand, and sea. Today, the same pristine features responsible for the sultanate’s seclusion are now acclaimed outdoor attractions. From the world’s largest sand desert to endangered sea turtles, hulking baobab trees, and ancient ‘pillow lavas,’ Oman is home to a surfeit of natural wonders that are surprisingly easy and inexpensive to explore.
Wadi Ghul: the Grand Canyon of Arabia
High on the southern slopes of Jebel Shams, the tallest peak in Oman’s rugged Hajar Mountains, the elements have carved a canyon so deep and spectacular that it’s called the Grand Canyon of Arabia. Alternating bands of resistant limestone and narrow benches of softer shale have shaped the precipitous walls of this 1000m-deep gorge. Visitors can peer into its depths from the vertiginous Balcony Walk, a 6km round-trip hike that starts at the end of the rough road to Al Khateem and ends at an eerie village abandoned in the 1970s.
A Slice of Earth’s Mantle in Muscat
The stunning backdrop for Muscat’s lively waterfront is a chain of rugged hills whose dark-brown hue contrasts starkly with the traditional whitewashed buildings and the Indian Ocean’s cerulean blue. These rare rocks comprise a sliver of the Earth’s mantle that was thrust atop the Arabian Peninsula during a massive mountain-building episode that reshaped the region 90 million years ago. The ramparts of the imposing Mutrah Fort, built by the enterprising Portuguese in the late 16th century, curve up one such hill, offering a spectacular seaside view.
Snake Gorge
Arabia’s premier canyoneering route slithers through a slot so slender that in places you can reach out and touch both walls at the same time. The gorge begins at a narrow gash in the rock a few meters off the 4WD road through Wadi Bani Awf near the lush terraces of Bilad Sayt. To complete the 3km adventure, participants must swim, leap, abseil, and clamber around large boulders shadowed by towering limestone walls polished smooth by repeated flash floods.
Al Hoota Cave
Pointy stalactites, rippling bacon, and dainty popcorn are some of Mother Nature’s prettiest decor in the Arabian Peninsula’s only show cave. The entrance of Al Hoota Cave is accessed via a short electric train ride. The 45-minute organized tours explore the first 500 meters of the oblong cave that groundwater has dissolved from the 95-million-year-old limestone bedrock. This damp underground environment hosts a fragile ecosystem, including molluscs, snails, and a special type of blind cavefish unique to the area.
Beehive Tombs
Perched on a lonely ridge in the shadow of Jebel Misht is a line of Beehive Tombs that the region’s Bronze Age inhabitants laboriously constructed between 3000 and 2000 BC. The 7m-high domes are built from quarried blocks of desert-varnished sandstone deposited on the seafloor millions of years ago, offering a glimpse into ancient Oman’s rich history.
Ancient Pillow Lavas
Northern Oman hosts some of the world’s best exposures of pillow lavas: dark, bulbous, pillow-shaped rocks that form where incandescent lava instantly cools as it flows into the sea. These formations were created 95 million years ago and can be easily spotted in road cuts along the Sohar–Buraimi highway as well as in Wadi Jizzi, a stunning drainage accessible via the freshly paved Suhaylah Road.
Green Sea Turtles
The coastline near Ras Al Jinz, the Arabian Peninsula’s easternmost point, serves as a crucial nesting site for endangered green sea turtles. After traveling through the open ocean, these remarkable creatures navigate back to their birthplace to lay eggs. Witnessing a turtle laying a clutch of eggs is a highlight for nature lovers visiting this vital ecosystem.
Baobab Trees
Though more commonly associated with the African savanna, some species of the world’s longest-living trees thrive in arid valleys above Salalah. The road into the mountains east of the beautiful seasonal waterfall at Wadi Darbat passes several groves of baobabs, which are easily recognized by their distinctive bottle-shaped trunks and large fruit, contributing to Oman’s diverse flora.
Sharqiya Sand Sea
This scenic sea of sand results from strong winds and a generous supply of fine grains. In the southern Sharqiya Sands, these grains likely originate from the coast, while in the north, they come from wadis that drain the mighty Hajar Mountains. The seasonal winds have sculpted this sand into striking mega dunes, ideal for sandboarding and offroading adventures.
Empty Quarter
The Rub Al Khali desert, also known as the Empty Quarter, hosts half as much sand as the entire Sahara, despite its immense size. This 660,000 sq km region is the largest contiguous sand desert globally. Visitors can embark on overnight tours that include driving up and down the dunes, camel rides, and witnessing spectacular sunsets in an inky black sky full of stars.
