Oman Explorer – Best of Daymaniyat

Oman is a diving destination where you can really expect everything, whale sharks, orcas, humpbacks…. see them all regularly. You too?

Travel period

January, February, March, April, September, October, November, December

Features

Boatdiving

Starting at

8 days from €1450,- p.p

Diving in Oman at the Daymaniyat Islands

Indulge in Oman’s unique underwater world with a diving vacation aboard the Oman Explorer, following the ‘Best of Daymaniyat’ itinerary. Oman, perhaps a lesser-known diving destination but no less spectacular, offers rich and varied marine life, and the absence of large tourist crowds makes for an undisturbed and authentic diving experience. This vacation invites you to explore the beautiful Daymaniyat Islands, Fahal and Bandar Khayran.

On board the Oman Explorer you will enjoy comfortable accommodations and excellent service as you sail to the country’s most extraordinary dive sites. You will dive on pristine coral reefs, where the abundance of fish is amazing, as the waters are filled with plankton and attract large schools of fish. Large groupers, leopard sharks, stingrays, barracudas, turtles, cuttlefish and rare moray eels occur during the dives. At the right time of year, even a friendly whale shark may pass by.

Humpback whales near the Hallaniyat Islands ( December to March)

In the southern part near the Hallaniyat Islands You can even see humpback whales! And if you are very lucky …. orcas! The macro life with nudibranchs in different colors, seahorses, shrimp and other critters is also great. Divers encounter a mixture of walls and rocky landscapes with small wall sections. The reefs are covered with colorful hard and soft corals. Because of the plankton and thermocline, visibility varies between 5 and 20 meters.

Best travel time: From October to April, the sea is generally calmest and the weather cooler, with water temperatures ranging from 22°C to 25°C. This time of year is also the best season to see whale sharks and turtles.

We advise against traveling to Oman during Ramadan due to various restrictions. Therefore, avoid Mar 10 to Apr 8, 2024 and Feb 28 to Mar 29, 2025.

Please note that the minimum certification level required to dive is Open Water and we strongly recommend at least the Specialty Deep Diver to have. We also recommend having at least 50 dives logged.

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Average Temperatures

Wetsuit advice for Oman

Since the water temperature can vary between 26 degrees at the surface and 22 degrees below the thermocline, we recommend at least a 5mm wetsuit and an extra hood for diving.

What will you experience on this trip?

View itinerary here

Day 1 - Flight to Muscat

Today your adventure diving trip to Oman starts with an approximately 9-10 hour flight to Muscat, including a stopover. Depending on your arrival time the next day, upon arrival you will either be taken directly to the boat or to a day hotel if you arrive early.

The boat departs from the port town of Sifah, this town is about a 1-hour drive from Muscat.

Day 2 - Aboard the Oman Explorer

Today you will board the Oman Explorer (boarding from 2 p.m.). You will be warmly welcomed by the Cruise Director and staff, and given a chance to explore the ship during a boat briefing. After this introduction, there will be time to acclimate and relax, set up your cabin and prepare your dive gear. You can also get acquainted with the other divers on board. After everyone is settled, the boat leaves in the evening for Ras Abu Dhaut.

Day 3 to 5 - Diving at the Daymaniyat Islands

This week, 3-4 dives are scheduled daily, including night dives, with the exception of day 7. The last diving day you will make 2 dives.

Diving at the Daymaniyat Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an unforgettable experience. You dive here over the next few days, for example, at dive site “Aquarium” which is a highlight here. This dive site consists of an oval plateau that starts at a depth of about 7 meters and descends to 15 meters, after which there is a steep drop to about 30 meters. This area is bursting with marine life; from schools of fusiliers, squid, honeycomb moray eels and crabs, to large carpet corals in which all kinds of marine animals hide. It is a fantastic dive site both during the day and at night.

At “Three Sisters,” another dive site near the Daymaniyat Islands, you will find large boulders with soft tree corals and carpet corals. This place is rich with swimming trails and holes to dive into. You can spot green and hawksbill turtles, eagle rays and leopard sharks.

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Day 6 - Diving at Fahal

Today we dive at Fahal, a large island about 4 km off the coast of Muscat. The island offers an array of hard and soft corals in its bays, and there is a chance to spot sharks and stingrays on the sandy bottom. Fahal is known for its beautiful corals and vibrant marine life along its steep walls. It is a small island that excels in biodiversity, with schools of colorful fish, tuna, jacks and patrolling reef sharks.

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Day 7 - Diving at Bandar Khayran

Today, two dives to the Al Munassir wreck near Bandar Khayran are scheduled, a true gem of this trip. This wreck is a vibrant habitat populated by moray eels, lobsters, numerous nudibranchs and huge schools of fish.

In the afternoon, we return to Sifah, reflecting on the unique experiences of the day.

The exact itinerary is weather dependent or depends on the diving experience of our guests. Route changes due to port authority regulations are reserved.

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Day 8 - Home

Today your day starts early. By 9 a.m. you will check out of the liveaboard, closing this chapter of your trip. Depending on your flight schedule, you will either be taken directly to the airport or have the chance to explore Muscat. If you still have time, we recommend experiencing the local culture, visiting the traditional markets (Souk) and enjoying Omani hospitality.

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The liveaboard

The accommodation and facilities

Oman Explorer

The popular liveaboard Oman Explorer, managed by Extra Divers Worldwide, has been sailing to Oman’s most beautiful diving areas since 2011. The spacious ship, completely renovated in summer 2015, accommodates 22 divers in 11 comfortable cabins. The international team consists of 10 crew members and 1-2 dive guides. Three to four dives per day are included, excluding the day of embarkation and disembarkation.

Accommodation on board is on a full board basis, including coffee, tea, juice and water, with afternoon snacks. Beer and wine are available for a fee. Diving is facilitated with 12 liter aluminum tanks (DIN/INT), with the option for 15l steel tanks at an additional charge and upon prior notice. Nitrox is available for a fee.

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There are a total of 10 double cabins on the upper and lower decks, as well as a spacious master cabin. All cabins are equipped with fan, closet, air conditioning, bathroom with shower and toilet. Towels (for the cabin and sun deck) and a hair dryer are also provided. The cabins have two single beds (each 1m x 2m). From the cabins on the upper deck you have a beautiful view of the sea! The large master cabin (about 20 m²) is located on the main deck, and has a king-size double bed and, in addition to the equipment of the standard cabins, a refrigerator and a TV.

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Travel costs

What is included

This travel package is €1450 per person based on two people in one cabin. The trip can be extended as desired. A number of things are included by default in this travel package.

Prices are subject to price changes, increases or changing exchange rates. Flights are always based on the cheapest possible booking class.

Want to know more about the possibilities? Get in touch with us!