Sur

Sur, capital of Ash Sharqiyah South, is a historic seafaring town on the eastern coast where wooden dhows are still built by hand. It is the natural base for the Ras al-Jinz turtle reserve, Ras al Hadd and the wadis on the coast road from Muscat.

The dhow yards

Sur's boatyards on the lagoon still build and repair wooden dhows using traditional techniques. There is also a maritime museum. Visits to working yards are informal — ask before photographing people.

Forts and Ayjah

Sunaysilah Fort, a square fort with four corner towers, overlooks the town. Across the lagoon, the old quarter of Ayjah has carved doorways, merchants' houses and a lighthouse at the harbour mouth, connected to Sur by a bridge.

Ras al-Jinz and Ras al Hadd

The Ras al-Jinz Turtle Reserve is about 45 minutes south-east of Sur. Guided evening and early-morning tours take small groups to watch green turtles nesting; book ahead. Ras al Hadd, the easternmost point of the Arabian Peninsula, is next door.

On the way from Muscat

The coastal highway from Muscat passes Quriyat, the Bimmah Sinkhole, Fins beach, Wadi Shab and Wadi Tiwi — easy stops for a long day's drive.

Practical tips

Best time to visit: October–March in the north; Dhofar is pleasant most of the year and green during the khareef (roughly late June to early September).
Modest dress (shoulders and knees covered) is expected in towns, souqs and forts; swimwear is for hotel pools and beaches.
Friday is the weekly holiday: many forts, museums and souq shops close or shorten their hours on Friday. Opening times change — check locally before you go.

Points of interest

Fins Beach (Beaches, Ash Sharqiyah South). White-sand coves with turquoise water on the coast road between Muscat and Sur. Undeveloped, with no facilities.

Ras Al Hadd (Turtle Nesting, Ash Sharqiyah South). Beaches around Ras al Hadd next to the Ras al-Jinz reserve, also used by nesting green turtles. Viewing is via the reserve's guided tours.

Ras Al Hadd Beach (Beaches, Ash Sharqiyah South). Long, undeveloped beaches at Ras al Hadd, the easternmost point of mainland Oman and the Arabian Peninsula, next to the Ras al-Jinz turtle reserve.

Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve (Turtle Nesting, Ash Sharqiyah South). Protected green-turtle nesting beach with a visitor centre and museum. Guided evening and early-morning turtle-watching tours; book ahead in peak season.

Sunaysilah Fort (Sur) (Forts & Castles, Ash Sharqiyah South). Square fort with four corner towers on a rise above Sur, built to guard the town and the approach from the interior.

Sur (Cities, Ash Sharqiyah South). Coastal city built on dhow shipbuilding. Still home to working dhow yards and a launch point for Ras al-Jinz turtle reserve.

Wadi Bani Khalid (Wadis, Ash Sharqiyah North). Spring-fed wadi in Ash Sharqiyah North with year-round turquoise pools. The main pool area has paths and a café; walk further up the wadi for quieter pools and Moqal Cave.

Wadi Mibam (Wadis, Ash Sharqiyah South). Upper reach of Wadi Tiwi around the village of Mibam, with deep green pools reached on foot from the end of the track.

Wadi Shab (Wadis, Ash Sharqiyah South). Oman's best-known wadi. A small boat crosses the mouth, then roughly 45–60 minutes on foot over boulders leads to pools and a cave with a waterfall, reached by swimming through a narrow gap in the rock.

Wadi Tiwi (Wadis, Ash Sharqiyah South). Narrow, steep-sided wadi a few kilometres south-east of Wadi Shab. A narrow track (4×4 advised) climbs past date gardens and falaj-watered terraces to the villages of Mibam and Sooma.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I get to Sur from Muscat?

By the coastal highway via Quriyat, about 200–220 km (roughly 2.5–3 hours). The inland route via Ibra is longer.

Is the Ras al-Jinz turtle tour worth it?

For most visitors, yes. Sightings are likely, especially in the summer and early autumn peak, but cannot be guaranteed.

Are dhows still built in Sur?

Yes, on a small scale; the yards build and repair traditional wooden boats.

How far is Wadi Shab from Sur?

About 45 km north-west on the coastal highway, roughly 40 minutes.