Wadis of Oman

Sub Section: Beaches Wadis Falajs

A wadi is a dried up riverbed found in the mountain valleys. Wadis come into their own after heavy rains, when the rivers start running again and the vegetation is restored. However, some wadis have year-round running water, with deep, cool pools in which it is quite safe to swim if the currents are slow. On the whole, wadis are only accessible with a four-wheel drive vehicle, as the terrain can be extremely bumpy. Wadis are green, lush oases of palm trees, grasses, and flowering shrubs. It is always safest to visit wadis in a group or with a tour guide. Although they are beautiful places, they are often remote and car breakdowns can happen to anyone. Visitors must also be on the alert for rain clouds, as sudden downpours can lead to flash floods, which are highly dangerous when in the gorges.
 

Wadi Bani Khalid:

     Wadi Bani Khalid is about 203 km far from Muscat. It is the best-known wadi of the Sharqiyah region. Its stream maintains a constant flow of water throughout the year. Large pools of water and boulders are scattered along the course of the wadi. As a geographical area, Wadi Bani Khalid covers a large swathe of low land and mountains.

     Caves form some of the interesting features of this wadi. These include Kahf Maqal which is one of the Sultanate's underground chambers. However, reaching this cave takes a lot of effort and visitors should be prepared for the adventure. Springs of water are also common in this wadi. The springs of Ain Hamouda, Ain al Sarooj and Ain Dawwa, among others, are a blessing to the eye as one ventures along the wadis. The village of Badaa is a well-known tourist stop in the valley.

Wadi Shab and Wadi Tiwi:

     Wadi Shab lies in Niyabat Tiwi, Wilayat of Sur, is 76 km from Qurayyat. It is easy to reach this wadi from the Qurayyat-Sur highway. The wadi combines the attractions of coast areas and inland wonders. It has at least seven pools of shimmering emerald green water studded beautiful boulders. One of the pools is in a cave where light streams in dramatically from above and there are fantastic echoes as you swim and splash.
     About seven kilometers away from Wadi Shab starts Wadi Tiwi which extends 36 km inland and ends at a mountain village known as Mibam. Many groves and fruit trees grow along the course of this wadi from which the azure blue sea can be seen as you climb up the hills and descend into the valleys.

Wadi Al Abyadh:

     One of the Al Batinah region's best loved valleys is Wadi Al Abyadh which lies some 30 km away from Muscat-Sohar highway. With a four-wheel drive vehicle, it will be a memorable experience to explore this wadi, which is vested in green vegetation and white boulders and rocks, from which the wadi probably takes its name. The rough road runs through the middle of the wadi. There are pink oleander trees and many beautiful birds.

Wadi Dhaiqah:

     Wadi Dhaiqah lies in a grand canyon about 90 km eastwards from the Bait Hattat (Wadi Adei) roundabout in Muscat. As many as 120 other wadis lead to this great valley which features as a large natural park extending from Wilayat Dima W'attayyeen in the Sharqiyah region to the Wilayat of Qurayyat in the Governorate of Muscat.

     It is easy to reach Wadi Dhaiqah from the highway, but after 20 minutes venturing into the wadi one is surprised by massive boulders and deep pools before coming across the famous fruit farms of Al Mazarea and many other attractions. In some places along Wadi Dhaiqah, the valley becomes narrow and its walls shoot up and change into high, wonderful cliffs.

     The springs that feed Wadi Dhaiqah are constant and contain abundant water supplies, particularly during the rainy season, which prompted the government to draft plans for a major irrigation project. To explore the full stretch of Wadi Dhaiqah is a real challenge, but, for adventure lovers a worthwhile one.

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