Exploring the Musandam Peninsula

There are several options for reaching the Musandam peninsula from the rest of the country:

• A flight from Muscat to Khasab with the national airline Oman Air (one-hour flight).
• A boat from Muscat to Khasab, or more precisely from Shinas to Khasab, as the first part of the journey is made by bus. The boat journey from Shinas takes 5 hours, plus the bus journey from Muscat. Tickets for the ferry can be bought in Muscat.

In the north of the peninsula, the town of Khasab is the gateway to this Omani enclave at the northern tip of the United Arab Emirates, 640km north of Muscat. And a visit to Khasab means a cruise in the fjords, the treasures of Musandam!

The impressive fjords of Musandam are ideal for superb excursions by boat, and more specifically by traditional wooden dhow. And the least we can say is that the spectacle is majestic and the sensation of escape is total!

After marvelling at the unique landscapes of desert mountains plunging into the sea, spotting a few fishermen's dwellings here and there, watching out for schools of tuna and photographing the dolphins that follow the stern of the ship, the picnic break at the bottom of the fjord is a delight. Don't forget to dive to discover the coral beds, home to a rare fauna, and swim in the company of rays and sea turtles.

Cruises in the fjords last around a day and generally include: Transfer from your hotel Day on the dhow in the fjords off the Omani peninsula Dolphin watching and snorkelling Lunch on board the boat + snacks all day long

For the more sporty, you can also discover the fjords by kayak!

You can book your fjord cruise online. By booking online, you guarantee your place on board the dhow for the Arabian fjords cruise!

It would be a shame to limit yourself to a cruise in the fjords, as the Musandam Peninsula has much more to offer. Most travellers set off by 4x4 to explore the Musandam mountains, with several hiking trails available once there.

From the peaks of the Musandam mountains, you can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the Hajar mountains and the peninsula below. You can also visit the small village of Sayh, where time seems to have stood still, and which still operates in accordance with ancestral traditions.

You can also discover the petroglyphs in the Musandam mountains, one of the richest petroglyph regions in the sultanate. These images carved into the rock are drawn with a pigment obtained from coral and tools made of bronze, stone or iron. They can be found in all four corners of the peninsula and provide an insight into the lives of the region's earliest inhabitants.

Perhaps the most beautiful jewel in the crown of Musandam is the Six Senses Zighy Bay hotel, at the southernmost tip of the peninsula! This exceptional hotel is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in the country. Six Senses Zighy Bay is reminiscent of an Omani village, isolated in an enchanting setting between sea and mountains on the spectacular Musandam Peninsula. This ultra-luxury establishment with its eco-friendly concept is a foretaste of paradise!

If you stay at Six Senses Zighy Bay, you can indulge in such extreme sports as paragliding, microlighting and hang-gliding, or enjoy a lazy day on the immense unspoilt beach, at the foot of rugged mountains that drop steeply down to the turquoise waters. From this small village, take a good look at the goats that roam the mountains, standing on their two hind legs to look for food in the trees: an astonishing sight! At night, on the beach, you can also take advantage of the presence of a professional astronomer to observe the stars through an astronomical telescope!