Muscat, the capital of Oman, sits on the Gulf of Oman and is surrounded by spectacular mountains, desert and vibrant blue waters. Among its cobbled streets lies a fascinating mixture of luxurious resorts and 21st-century shopping malls, plus centuries-old architecture, lush green parks and a famous souk. This beautiful city’s underwater landscapes are equally as dazzling, making Muscat the main hub for scuba diving in Oman. 

Despite having warm water, pristine dive sites and abundant marine life, diving in Muscat is relatively undiscovered. There you can enjoy crowd-free diving, whether you explore by liveaboard, with a local dive center, or from a Muscat dive resort nestled among the golden sands. It is a great destination for all dive experience levels and there are numerous dive courses in Muscat to hone your skills.

Muscat is the most popular base from which to explore Oman’s famous dive destinations; the UNESCO-listed Daymaniyat Islands, rocky Fahal Island, the Al Munassir wreck, and the reefs of Bandar Kharyan. 

There is some excellent shallow reef diving near Muscat, though most people head offshore to explore the islands’ diverse underwater topography. With drop-offs, coral-covered walls, caves, crevices and shallow reefs, the offshore dive sites shelter an array of reef life and are surrounded by schooling tuna and jacks.

Oman’s reefs are thought to host more than 500 species of reef fish and 100 coral species, and Muscat’s dive sites are home to many of them. Go scuba diving in Muscat from July to September and you can swim with huge whale sharks as they make their way to the Daymaniyat Islands. Muscat’s rich waters also host blacktip reef sharks, zebra sharks, numerous Hawksbill and green sea turtles, plus diverse macro treasures. 

The water temperature ranges from 19 to 30°C (66 to 86°F) and Muscat has a reliably warm, dry climate, meaning you can enjoy diving in Muscat at any time of year.

With numerous dive sites in the 10 to 20 meter (33 to 66 feet) depth range, this a great destination for new divers. Added to that, there are thriving reefs in the 30 to 40 meter (98 to 131 feet) range that will keep experienced divers satisfied.

The Daymaniyat Islands

The UNESCO-listed Daymaniyat Islands Nature Reserve is the premier destination for scuba diving in Muscat. This archipelago of nine islands sits in warm, azure waters just north of Muscat and is fringed with ancient reefs and stunning white sands. It is an important site for nesting sea turtles and migrating birds and attracts locals and tourists alike. It is no surprise that the Daymaniyat Islands put Muscat firmly on the world diving map.

Below the waterline, there are pristine coral gardens and walls down to 30 meters (98 feet) covered in blue coral bushes, soft corals and sponges. There are more than 20 dive sites to explore, busy with colorful reef fish and patrolled by zebra and lemon sharks. From July to September, these famous islands host numerous whale sharks. With so much on offer and easy, sheltered diving, the Daymaniyat Islands are suitable for all divers and are a must for any Muscat diving trip.

Fahal Island

Lying just a short boat ride from Muscat, Fahal Island has accessible diving among healthy hard and soft coral gardens bustling with reef fish. It hosts some of the most diverse coral reefs in Oman and offers encounters with various shark species.- earning it the name of Shark Island. There are rocky pinnacles, two small wrecks, and excellent deep-reef diving down to 40 meters (131 feet) deep.

Bandar Kharyan

If you are on a short Muscat diving trip, Bandar Kharyan is the perfect place to go. It has 22 dive sites, with rocky outcrops, a famous wreck, and shallow coral reefs. The area is known for its vibrant coral coverage, clear waters and diverse marine life, including pipefish, nudibranchs, anemone shrimps and countless clownfish. It is also a popular spot to watch dolphins.

Al Munassir wreck

This 3000 tonne vessel is the jewel in the crown of Bandar Kharyan diving. The Al Munassir was deliberately scuttled by the Royal Oman Navy in 2003 and sits upright in 30 meters (98 feet) of water. Despite being relatively new, this wreck is a thriving artificial reef; swathed in corals and home to moray eels, large schools of snapper, sea turtles and rays. At just 8 to 26 meters (26 to 85 feet) deep, it is an accessible wreck for all divers.