Vast stretches of golden desert, brown mountains guarding the calm, pristine coastline of the country, fresh, clear water flowing from the mountains and making up ponds of water called wadis against the greenish rocks, this little country in the Middle East, isn’t short of any beauty. To add to its diversity, this country has a number of islands in its borders and one of these little islands is Masirah Island in Oman located 10km from the mainland on the east coast of the country. It spans over 95km north-south and is 12-14km in width and is only accessible by a short ferry ride. In this post, I take you along with myself to this Island and briefs all the best things to keep you engaged on the island, how to reach there, the best time to visit and where to stay on the island.

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One chilly winter night, I along with my family, initiated a drive to discover the largest island in the country, Masirah Island. The route to this Omani land in the middle of the sea isn’t as monotonous or straight from Muscat like many other routes to popular destinations when heading from the capital city. However, you drive parallel to the dark, brown mountains drawing a blurry sketch against the scorching Sun of Oman, which acts as a comfort in the chilly winter mornings of the country, which are seldom experienced in Oman.

Why visit the Masirah Island in Oman

“Why would you bother driving 500km from the Muscat city and then take a ferry ride to visit a little island having absolutely nothing?“ I am pretty sure you would hear this plenty of times upon disclosing your idea of visiting Masirah. DO NOT change your opinion. This little island has its own charm and the tranquil atmosphere takes you to the times long forgotten when life was simpler and slower in the country. Ecologically, it is one of the most important spots in Oman offering various wildlife sightings.

Giant old ferries, covered in rust, reach the port carrying huge trucks and island residents who cross the water several times a day for their live hood. This port is in an area called Hilf, one of the small towns on the island and the first stop for anybody entering the island.

Vans carrying refrigerators filled with fishes get out of these ferries one after the other as the residents step out carrying their blankets and pillows which are their only comfort source in these old, rugged ferries. On the other side, modern ferries arrive bringing tourists to this island, presenting the contrasting view.

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In one corner of the port, old, abandoned ships are anchored. The port of Masirah was once a famous shipbuilding facility in the country. On the shore, hundreds of seagulls hunt their prey. The pristine, calm water of the port, hit the shore to break the calmness of the moment. Far in the distance, huge, brown mountains mark the end of the territory of Masirah. Upon one of these mountains, you see a giant tower, perhaps the communication tower of the Ministry of Defence who has one of their airbases on this little island. Among these giant mountains and tranquil seashore, you can see small houses and shops, a perfect view of a little town among the water.

Back in the days, BBC had their transmitting station in Masirah and that was the reason, this island was most famous for. However, as awareness increased, the abundance of beautiful marine life in Masirah became known to the public and this island became a popular spot for Leatherback Turtles and heaven for kite-surfers due to the perfect wind it experiences.

Things to do on Masirah Island in Oman

This little island in the country might seem dull and dusted, but actually, it offers many unique activities to do. Some of the activities which aren’t done in the rest of the country are offered by Masirah. Masirah Island holds a unique geographical location in the country and therefore it has plenty of beautiful wildlife to offer and the perfect wind and sea conditions for many water sports.

Turtle watching

Not one or two, but Masirah Island in Oman is home to five different species of turtles: The Green Turtle, the Loggerhead Turtle, the Hawksbill Turtle, the Olive Ridley Turtle, and the Leatherback Turtle. Masirah Island has the largest gathering of Loggerhead turtles every year when hundreds of them visit the island to nest. The best time to see these turtles is during July-September when these turtles nest. Although, if you are lucky enough, you may get to see them any time of the year on the shore of the sea in Masirah. People often snorkel on the island to witness the beauty of these beautiful creatures. Although, you get to see them on the sand too especially during the night time as the turtles invade the sand when humans leave. Being so small in size, I am sure this island would be proud of being such a large nesting ground for these amazing creatures.

Birds watching

And here is another reason to visit Masirah for someone who loves wildlife: to watch various types of birds. Due to the unique geographical location of Masirah Island in Oman, it proudly hosts a large number of migratory birds from Arabian Peninsula, close-by countries of India and Pakistan as well as from Siberia and Europe. These visitors include herons, flamingos, gulls, and Barn Swallow and other migratory birds. Bird watching is one of the best activities to do on the island and is such a mesmerizing sight.

Masirah gets plenty of humpbacks whales too. However, there aren’t any boat tours to take people for whale watching so unfortunately that cannot be done.

Kite-surfing

Masirah Island is the most famous place in the country for kite-surfing, courtesy of the wind conditions on the island. As the island is scarcely populated and there aren’t any giant buildings to block the wind, the wind speed can certainly make one fly off on the rough days at the seaside. Undoubtedly, Masirah Island is a heaven for kite-surfers in this mountainous country. Flatwater or high tides, Masirah Island always attract kite-surfers. However, during May-August, it is high season for kite-surfing on the island and even during the peak harsh summer in the country, the temperature on the island stays between 25-38 degrees which is considerably low as compared to the mainland. Although these four months are highly attractive for kite-surfers in Masirah, adventure enthusiasts head over to the island, all year round.

Masirah Island also hosts coaching schools for kite-surfing and enrolls a decent number of students.

Visit Water sports Oman to learn more.

Fishing

Another frequently done activity on the island is fishing. Located in the middle of the water, no wonder fishing is common in Masirah. October- March is the peak season on the island to fish and a number of fishing boats can be spotted near the port of Masirah.

For foodies, the restaurants in Masirah cook delicious fresh fish and are very reasonable.

Visit Safaiq Grave site

Very near to the city centre in Masirah, is the Safaiq Grave site which has unique tombstones with peculiar designs, making it a common tourist attraction. The tombstones are located up the hill and are in various shapes and sizes. For people who enjoy archaeological sites, Safaiq Grave site in Masirah is a must-visit.

Walk around the island coast

In case, you don’t find any of these of your interest in Masirah, you wouldn’t be disappointed as Masirah Island is a perfect place to watch purple hue sunsets while you indulge in the serenity of the island and hear the tides crushing the shore rocks, away from the hustle-bustle of the Muscat city. A walk along the coast on the island is a perfect thing to do in the evenings.

How to visit the Masirah Island in Oman?

Before getting on a long road trip and a ferry ride, it is always advisable to buy safety insurance. Check out Safety Wing, providing 10 days safety insurance for as little as 13.2 USD (5 Omani Rial) only!!

The nearest mainland spots to Masirah Island is the port of Shannah, a small village about 500km from the Muscat city. From Muscat, there are two major routes to opt for.

The first route is shorter, much faster and more commonly used. The second route is longer, slower but the last leg of the route passes next to the coast and is scenic. However, I would recommend the first one. One does not require a 4wd drive to drive to Shannah as the entire road is well paved. Check out RentalCars.com to rent a car in Oman. However, if the car is rented, you would require a “No-objection letter” from the rental company to take your vehicle on the NFC ferry. The private ferries do not ask for any such document.

Upon reaching Shannah, beautiful salt flats have decorated the roadsides. It is a single road with salt on its sides reflecting the sunlight as it escapes through them. The port of Shannah is a small port and connects the mainland to Masirah Island through two types of ferries.

There aren’t any proper facilities at the port so be prepared before you reach.

One ferry is the modern-day, all-equipped ferry from the National Ferry Company. These ferries are booked in advance and tend to get full very quickly. One can take cars or bikes too on the ferries. These ferries run thrice a day from Shannah to Masirah and return thrice too. In case, the bookings aren’t done in advance, there is a small office of NFC near the port and tickets can be bought there. Check out the NFC website for timings and prices. It takes around 30-45 minutes to cross the sea in these modern ferries.

Another type of ferries is the old, rusted ones that are privately owned by the locals. These ferries do not have a fixed time and they only depart once they are full. They do not charge for the passengers, but for the vehicles. A car costs 10 OMR. These ferries are dirty, with no facilities and take about 1.5 hours to cross. Some of these have seating on the upper deck while others don’t have that too. If you are looking to cut the cost, opt for these but be ready to compromise and do not expect any luxury. These ferries, however, do not operate after 4-5 PM and start their operations from 6 AM in the morning. You might have to wait for hours for these ferries to get fully occupied and then leave for the island.

The water passage between Shannah and Masirah can be very rough at times. While we were heading to Masirah, the sea was very calm, however, on our return, it was super windy and tides were very rough with the ferry shaking terribly. In case you are travelling with the old, open ferries, do keep warm clothes to protect yourself from the chill wind.

Best time to visit Masirah Island in Oman

Oman is a hot country and to visit anywhere around, winter is indeed the best time. Masirah Island is a place to enjoy nature and go for outdoor activities. Therefore, the best time to visit Masirah is during the winter season, which is from November- February. During this time of the year, the temperature drops in the country and the island gets chilly winds. Do pack accordingly if you visit during this time of the year.

Check out the best time to visit Oman and things to do during this season in the country!

If you are more interested in water sports, birds and turtle watching on the island, try visiting during May-August. Although it is pretty hot and humid on the island, this is the nesting season for the turtles and you would get to see many of those. Moreover, perfect conditions exist for kite-surfing during this season.

Best accommodation to stay on Masirah Island

Masirah doesn’t have many options for accommodation, however, some pretty decent ones are available.

Masirah Island Resort: The only luxury accommodation in Masirah is Masirah Island Resort. It offers facilities like a swimming pool, a private beach, and a tennis court. It has a beautiful beachfront area too. This resort is always in high demand and tends to get booked quite early. It is almost 20 minutes car ride from the port of Masirah.

Masirah Island Hotel: Located at 5 minutes drive from the port of Masirah, Masirah Island Hotel is perhaps the best mid-range accommodation on Masirah Island. It is a beautifully constructed hotel and the construction design reminds you of the old days’ large houses built in India and Pakistan. My family and I opted for this and we loved the hotel. The hotel has a beautiful beachfront and there are benches available to sit and enjoy the serenity of the island. The hotel management was extremely courteous and let us check-out an hour late as we were waiting for our ferry. On your next visit to Masirah, check out this hotel and I am sure you would love it. Pocket-friendly, comfortable and is in the middle of the island city centre and therefore you get all the shops, restaurants and even the island port at walking distance.

Beach Camp Masirah: Located at a distance of 40 minutes from the port, is the beach camp of Masirah Island. This is a budget hotel which is quite picturesque too. It has colourful rooms which are built in the open in front of a beach. Some of the rooms are very basic and do not have any fans or ACs and even the bathrooms are shared. The major downside of Beach Camp Hotel is that it is quite far from the port. After a long tedious drive from Muscat and then the ferry ride, one wouldn’t want to drive for another 40 minutes on a small island to reach the accommodation. However, the schools for kite surfing are quite close to these camps and therefore these camps are a good option for those who visit the island mainly for water sports.

Masirah Sunset Camp: Another very budget accommodation in Masirah is the Masirah Sunset Camp. This is a very basic camp and rooms are in the form of tents. Very basic facilities are available for the guests here.

So next time when you carve for a tranquil evening, nature, a long drive and an ocean in Oman, you know where to head to. We spent 2 days on this island and it was the best recreation for the entire family. Do let me know in the comments below, how did you find this little island in the country blessed with every form of natural beauty.

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