Scuba Diving

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With 1700km of coastline, and clean, unpolluted waters, Oman is one of the best kept secrets in the diving world. There are a number of dive centres or dive agents (see below) who will arrange trips to the numerous coral reefs surrounding the Sultanate.

Visibility is variable throughout the year, ranging from 20-30m on average, although July to September generally offers the greatest visibility - the one downside to this is the searing temperatures to which Oman is subjected during the summer. However, ardent divers will dismiss this as a minor obstacle - the sea is a pleasant temperature no matter how hot the land is. During the winter months (October to March), the sea temperature drops to 20-25degC and one may require a 5mm wetsuit. During the summer months (April to September), as the sea temperature rises, a 3mm wetsuit will suffice.

There are many superb dive sites around the capital area, including Cemetery Bay, Fahal Island, Kalbuh and the Dimaaniyat Islands. The range of marine life is also astounding and one can expect to see:

Lemon Sharks, Black Tip Reef Sharks, dolphins, turtles, lobsters, Sting Rays, Eagle Rays, sea cucumbers, octopi, sea slugs, various sea anenomes, varieties of coral including Brain, Stag, Teddy Bear, and Table; Honeycomb Morays, Zebra Morays, Barracuda, Picasso and Blue Triggerfish, Spotfin Lionfish, Blue Tang, Grouper, Blackfinned Melon Butterfly Fish, Cornetfish, Parrot Fish, Soldier Fish…amongst many, many other creatures.

Night dives are popular and divers are often astounded by the amount of phosphorescence found in Oman's night-time waters. The phosphorescence is green/blue and emitted by microscopic plankton as a result of a chemical reaction issuing from vigorous movement. As with land animals, many marine creatures are nocturnal, and different underwater species will be on display as darkness falls. Darkness also brings change to the corals: during the day, their polyps are at danger from predators. Polyps are the coral's feeding mechanism and without these, the coral is unable to uptake sugars and oxygen which are vital for the exoskeleton's survival. At night, with predators such as the butterfly fish asleep, the polyps are able to emerge from the exoskeleton and seek food such as plankton and microbes.

Fahal Island dives often involve finning through an 'L-shaped' tunnel through the island. The island attracts many sharks, namely black tip reef sharks and lemon sharks, some of which are around 4m in length. There are many table and brain corals surrounding the island, many of them undamaged. Oman has many coral reefs - please take care not to spoil them with a careless fin or limb.

The Dimaaniyat Islands, off the coast of Al Sawadi, provide some spectacular dives: in particular, huge clusters of table coral can be found off the Fad Island. The marine life is particularly prolific around these islands, which may be due to their protected status.

It is important to be extra vigilant during a night-time dive and divers should remember the following:

For more information, the book 'Snorkelling and Diving in Oman', is available in bookshops and supermarkets throughout the Sultanate, or contact:

Bluzone Watersports: bluzone@omantel.net.om

Bluzone offers 5* PADI training facilities and owns two dive boats. Dive training is offered in a number of languages.

Activities: day diving, night diving, wreck diving, live-aboard, underwater photography, snorkelling, first aid.

Tel: ++968 737 293

Fax: ++968 737 293

Oman Dive Centre: diveoman@omantel.net.om

Popularly known as ODC, this centre offers Five Star PADI training facilities and is set in a picturesque bay in Bandar al Jissah which is sheltered and perfect for snorkellers and novices alike before venturing into the ocean proper.

Activities: day diving, night diving, snorkelling, underwater photography, wreck diving, diving/snorkelling day trips to the Dimaaniyat Islands and the Quriyat wreck, first aid, nitrox.

Tel: ++968 950 621

Fax: ++968 602 077

Moon Light Dive Centre: aljoori@omantel.net.om

The Moon Light Dive Centre offers year-round diving at the Dimaaniyat Islands off the coast of Oman.  Moon Light is a Padi Dive Centre offering a wide range of Padi courses and there is also a "Bubble Maker" for children aged 8 to 11 years old.

Activities: Scubapro, Mares, Beuchat, US Diver.  State-of-the art rental equipment: Scubapro, Mares, is available for rent every day. Qualifications in Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver and Medical First Aid Course (suitable for divers and non divers). Dive Master and Assistant Instructor Courses are available alongside beginner’s courses. Many speciality courses are available for those divers who would like to gain more experience and broaden their knowledge in diving.

Tel: ++968 931 7700

Fax: ++968 680 675

Capital Area Yacht Club (CAYC) Divers

CAYC Divers offers the only BSAC Open Branch (1181) in Oman. Guest divers are restricted to weekends only.

Activities: day diving, night diving, snorkelling, wreck diving.

Tel: ++968 560 345

Ras al Hamra Sub Aqua Club

This private club for Petroleum Development Oman workers offers BSAC Special Branch 1299S diving. Members are able to take guests.

Tel: ++968 677 577

Sera Divers

Based on the island of Masirah, day and night diving is available as long as visitors provide their own equipment. Boats depart around 8.30am on weekdays. Training is for RAFO personnel only.

Tel: ++968 611 314

Fax: ++968 611 314

Khasab Dive Centre: scubaint@emirates.net.ae

Established in partnership with Scuba International, Dubai, this joint-venture offers PADI training to visitors and residents in the far north region of Musandam. A traditional dhow takes divers out to the sites.

Activities: day diving, night diving, snorkelling, dhow trips, wreck diving, DAN, underwater photography, first aid.

Tel: ++9714 420 553

Fax: ++9714 420 174

Samharam Divers: ezrebello@hotmail.com

Operating from the Salalah Holiday Inn, divers are taken out to various sites using a 10.5m yacht.

Activities: day diving, night diving, wreck diving, snorkelling, sport fishing, dhow trips.

Tel: ++968 948 1265

Fax: ++968 235 137

Salalah Sub-Aqua Club

BSAC Branch 2173 offering BSAC training to branch members from Novice to Advanced Diver. Diving with the club is by invitation only.

Activities: day diving, night diving, wreck diving, snorkelling, first aid, DAN, nitrox, underwater photography.

Tel: ++968 235 333

Fax: ++968 235 137

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