Birds on the beach, Masirah Island, Oman

Masirah Island

Much undeveloped with a simple infrastructure, Masirah Island offers opportunities to surf, bird watch (with over 328 species recorded) and see four species of sea turtle come ashore to lay their eggs, including the largest number of Loggerheads anywhere in the world.

Very few visitors to Oman have so far made it to Masirah. It is the latest area of the country to open up to tourism. There is still more turtles than tourists, offering plenty of unspoiled coastlines.

Found off the south-east coast of Oman, Masirah Island is reached by a one and a half-hour ferry journey from Shannah Port on the coast, south of Wahiba Sands. With the Omani Government considering flights from Muscat and developing the infrastructure on the island, Masirah Island is worth visiting now before everyone catches on!

Beach, Masirah Island, Oman
Masirah Island, Oman
Birds on the beach, Masirah Island, Oman
Masirah Island, Oman

A little more about Masirah

Masirah feels like a true ‘desert island’. Empty, golden beaches with turquoise water meet barren hills and eerie landscapes. Goats and camels forage in parched scrub and low acacia bushes. The island’s tiny town, Hilf, has a few shops and a handful of cafes and restaurants. There are some reasonable hotels and guest houses and camping on the beach is possible.

Flamingo, muscat
Muscat, Oman
Loggerhead Turtle, Belize
Loggerhead Turtle, Belize

Activities on Masirah

Watersports are a key attraction, particularly kite surfing as there is always wind here, the lagoon is very shallow and the water is warm. Stand on the headland at Ras Abu Ar Rasas and the ocean pounds the shore. Wildlife is the other draw with four species of turtle nesting and the island is number one in the world for loggerheads. Uniquely, there’s a school of non-migrating humpback whales. The island is also frequented by 300 species of bird, many of them rare.

Where to stay

Some of the wonderful places to stay that we frequently recommended.

Hud Hud Wahiba £££££

  • Oman
  • Tented Camps

In the Wahiba Sands, Hud Hud camp is set up on a tailor-made basis, using authentic handmade Bedouin tents, carefully selected for the environment and sited to ensure privacy and fantastic views. Hud Hud exclusive camps evoke a traditional, luxurious Arabian ‘encampment’ and is designed in Hud Hud’s inimitable style, in keeping with the ambience of the environment and the region.

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Desert Nights Camp £££££

  • Oman
  • Tented Camps

Desert Nights is a luxurious desert-style camp based in the heart of Wahiba Sands, Oman.

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Shangri La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa £££££

  • Oman
  • Beach and Island Escapes

The Shangri La consists of three separate hotels all around 124 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens. Al Waha caters primarily for families with kids clubs and activities, and then there is the 5-star Al Bandar and lastly the 6 star Al Husn, which has fewer rooms and suites and caters for the top end of the market.

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Crowne Plaza Hotel £££££

  • Oman
  • City

Set on a clifftop overlooking the Gulf of Oman, this chic, waterside hotel is 3km from the Royal Opera House Muscat and 15km from the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.

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Canvas Club Desert Camp £££££

  • Oman
  • Tented Camps

Canvas Club offers a private tented camp in the heart of the Wahiba Sands, where local Bedouin staff take great pride in showcasing their unique region to each visitor they care for. Travel into the desert by 4×4 and continue by camel back to reach your private camp.

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Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort £££££

  • Oman

Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar, perched 2,000 metres above sea level on the curving rim of a great canyon, is a luxurious base from which to explore this mountainous region and its rich local culture.

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A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

Kate Hitchen

My travels were first inspired by my love of the UK, which I take as much pleasure in exploring as countries far and wide. For me, travel is all about the adventure, the people I meet and the food I sample along the way.

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