Located in Sharqiya, the southeastern region of the Arabian Peninsula, the Muscat – Sur Coastal Road offers visitors a glimpse of old and new Oman. While there are plenty of places to visit in Muscat itself, taking a trip along Oman’s coast offers even more for you to experience.

Time to check out the 8 incredible stops on Oman’s Muscat – Sur Coastal Road.

MUSCAT TO SUR STOPS – PLACES TO VISIT IN OMAN

The 200 KM stretch from Muscat to Sur has some of the region’s most popular attractions which makes it the perfect way to experience what Oman has to offer. While some of these places work as day trips from Muscat, a full road trip allows you to experience the best of both Muscat, Sur and everything in between.]

The Muscat Sur Coastal Road gives you the opportunity to explore ancient archaeological sites, trek and swim in some of the country’s most popular Wadis and get a glimpse into traditional Omani life across its sleepy fishing villages dotted along the way.

1. QURIYAT

Wondering about what to see in Muscat? The fishing village of Quriyat tends to be one of the first pit stops along the Muscat – Sur Coastal Road. It’s 45 minutes or so south of the capital city and is a great first place to hop out and stretch your legs. 

Admittedly the town is very small and if you blink, you may just miss it. If you plan to make a pit stop here you can check out the town’s souk and head to the seaside to get your last glimpses of the traditional Omani Dhows – rustic fishing boats – the region is known for.

Like a lot of towns throughout Oman, Quriyat has an old fort that you can also check out. It was built a couple hundred years ago and went through a restoration project in 2013, making it a great place to see in Muscat. Make your way to the open courtyard via the grand main entrance and peruse the various rooms throughout the fort.

Taking a trip from Muscat to Quriyat is a must-do on your Oman road trip.

Practical Info: Quriyat is located 80km south of Muscat. Take Route 17 in the direction of Sur and off the exit you will drive another 7km to get the town centre and the fort.

2. BIMMAH SINKHOLE

As you continue to make your way south along the Muscat – Sur Coastal Road, be sure to make a pit stop at the Bimmah Sinkhole. This is definitely one of the most interesting places to visit in Oman.

Located 38km south of Quriyat in the town Bimmah, this natural limestone crater is quite unique and is a great spot to take a quick dip. As its name suggests, it was once an underground cavern whose roof has collapsed leaving behind the giant sinkhole. 

The groundwater flows through the limestone and continually feeds the sinkhole with refreshing water making it a great place to swim.

The non-natural surrounding area and concrete staircase leading to the sinkhole are a bit of an eyesore, but the various hues of the blue and green waters are visually stunning and provide a much-needed reprieve from the sweltering heat of Oman.

The earlier you arrive, the more of the Bimmah Sinkhole you will have to yourself. Dip your toes into the water or go for a proper swim. If you are feeling adventurous, join the cliff jumpers as they splash into areas of the sinkhole which are up to 20m deep.

Practical Info: Hawaiyat Najam (Sink Hole) Park is open and free to the public from 8 am to 8 pm. Changing rooms and toilets are available on site and the grounds have covered gazebos to chill under.

3. FINS, OMAN

Continue south through Bimmah Village and onto the quaint town of Fins. No long list of things to do and see here but it is an idyllic place to stop from Muscat to Sur. 

We opted to navigate our 4WD vehicle through the little windy streets of the town to get a glimpse of what real life is like here in Oman. If you opt to do the same, be mindful of the residents and watch out closely for the goats who will not bat an eye as you try to drive around them.

You can park your car near the Fins Mosque and make your way around on foot. You will find that there are patches of inviting, quiet sandy beaches along the coast. One of the most popular beaches on the Omani coast – Fins Beach (also known as White Beach) – is located just 5km south of Fins. If you are looking for the perfect place to stop and have Oman beaches on the brain, this is certainly the stop for you.

Practical Info: Fins is located on a coastal tarmac road, juts need to look for the signs as you near. There are no facilities at Fins/White Beach and it can get crowded on the weekends.

4. WADI AL SHAB

You can’t come to Oman and not experience one of the many gorgeous Wadis. As you leave behind the town of Fins and make your way south, you will come across two of the countries most popular – Wadi Al Shab and Wadi Tiwi. 

If you love the idea of hiking through steep mountain ravines and plunging into rock pools as you meander along hiking trails – a pit stop here is definitely for you. It also makes a good day trip from Muscat, since it’s only about a 2-hour drive from the city.

Once you have parked your car, make your way to the entrance where small boats are waiting to take you to the banks of the trailhead. From there, follow the footpath for about 45 minutes as it leads you through the canyon. You’ll pass massive boulders, refreshing waterfalls, lush palms and even some nerve wrangling mountain ledges en route towards the swimming pools.

You will know you have reached the end of the trail when you see people splashing about in the pools. This is not where your adventure should end – trust me. Continue paddling through the canyon, sliding over smooth boulders and enjoy the fruits of mother nature’s hard work. 

At the end of the Wadi, you will find a small tunnel that leads to a waterfall. If the water is low enough, you’ll be able to swim through and enjoy. Once there, you’ll just need to turn around and make your way back to the start.

I highly recommend wearing waterproof shoes – classic Teva hiking sandal are a great option. If there is a chance of rain, stay away – flash flooding in the Wadi is dangerous.

5. WADI TIWI

If you haven’t had your fill of Wadis and are keen to visit another, head over to Wadi Tiwi. Located a couple kilometers south of Wadi Al Shab, Wadi Tiwi has the same emerald pools, lush flora and plunging canyons.

Wadi Tiwi is nicknamed the Wadi of the Nine Villages – most of which you can check out as you make your way through the canyon. If you have more time and want to amp up your adventure, there are a few additional activities that Wadi Tiwi offers (that you don’t get with Wadi Al Shab). 

These include full-on canyoning and multi-day hikes. We were quite keen to check out the popular overnight camping trip that crosses the Eastern Hajar Mountains into Wadi Bani Khalid. A fun adventure for those who have given themselves a bit more time in this region of Oman.

Practical Info: Canyon Adventures Tours, who helped organise our awesome day out in Snake Canyon, also offer canyoning and trekking trips here. Give them a shout if you looking for a local guide to navigate the more adventurous side of Wadi Tiwi.

6. Qalhat

If you are a history buff or a fan of archaeological sites, then your next stop on the Muscat – Sur Coastal road should be the village of Qalhat. 

Located a quick 20km south of Wadi Tiwi, Qalhat was Oman’s first capital city and its port was hugely important in connecting Oman with the rest of the world. A fourteenth-century earthquake – and the later occupation of the Portuguese – has pretty much left this place in ruins.

The ruins and the 13th century Bibi Miriam’s Tomb – also written as Bibi Maryam – are exactly what visitors to Qalhat come to see. Bibi Miriam is the former wife of the King of Hormuz, Bahauddin Ayez. There are conflicting stories about whether he built it for his wife, whether she built it for herself and whether or not she was even laid to rest there. 

The tomb and the surrounding village of Qalhat were made a UNESCO Heritage Site in 2018 – so clearly has a special place in Omani history.

Practical Info: Outside of the tomb, there is nothing more to see or do in Qalhat. As it is just located off of Route 17 on the Muscat Sur Coastal road, a quick drive by may suffice to check it out. You can say you followed in the footsteps of Marco Polo who visited here.

7. SUR TOURIST PLACES

At the end of the Muscat to Sur Coastal Road is – you guessed it – Sur. The ancient fishing village of Sur tends to serve as an overnight stopover for those who have made the long trip or as a base for travelers taking time to explore the surrounding areas. This means there are some awesome places to visit in Sur, Oman.

Whether you plan on spending the night or just passing through, be sure to make a pit stop to explore Ayjah, Sur’s historical old town, checking out the famous lighthouse and the Al Ayjah Fort. If you are a fan of the forts, you also can pop into Sunaysilah Fort and Bilad Sur Castle.

It’s also a requirement to walk along the seaside, spend some time on Sur Beach, Oman and visit the Dhow Building Yard. It’s the last remaining dhow-building factory of its kind and you can check out how they handcraft these traditional Arabian fishing boats.

Practical Info: Forts tend to be closed on Fridays, Saturdays and Public Holidays. If you need to stock up on snacks, water or other supplies you can easily do so in Sur. There are a handful of larger supermarkets (which you don’t tend to say outside the larger cities).

8. RAS AL JINZ TURTLE RESERVE

Congratulations. You’ve made the 200km journey along the Omani coast, but the exploring shouldn’t stop there (especially if you are an animal lover). Head 40km further south along the coast to the Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve, one of the best places to visit in Oman. A hotel, museum and turtle sanctuary, the Ras Al Jinz is the perfect place to end your long day of coastal exploration in Oman.

Ras Al Jinz is one of the most important green turtle nesting areas in the world and over 20,000 are said to come back each year to lay their eggs. Ras Al Jinz offers guided walks on the beach that allow you to see these magnificent creatures in action. 

Keep your eyes peeled (and watch your step) as you may even witness hatchlings digging their way to the surface and scurrying off into the ocean.

The guided tours are offered twice a day – once after the sun has set and again at dawn. If you are staying onsite, be sure to take advantage of both – you won’t regret the early wake-up call when you see the sun rising over this tip of the Arabian Peninsula. 

Read more about what to expect during your stay at Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve.

While you are pretty much guaranteed to always see at least one or two turtles on any given tour, nesting season is May – September.

TRAVEL PLANNING ESSENTIALS: OMAN

Before planning any trip to Oman, you need to make sure you are prepared. These are some of the most important travel essentials.

Flights to Oman

Oman is accessible via Muscat International Airport, Salalah Airport and Sohar International Airport. Check out Kayak to find the best deals on flights to Oman.

Accommodation in Oman

As a long-time rewards member, Hotels.com is my first stop when exploring accommodation options. Not only do they have great inventory, but you get a free nights stay after every 10th booking.

Car Hire in Oman

Compare Oman car hire options at RentalCars.com. Driving in Oman is epic, just be sure to check out the key things to know before driving in Oman.

Travel Insurance in Oman

Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more. (As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.)

FINAL THOUGHTS ON MUSCAT TO SUR, OMAN STOPS

Driving from Muscat to Sur is much more than just a road trip, it is a magnificent adventure with plenty of activities for all types of travelers. It’s a great way to see the Oman coast, check out some fishing spots in Muscat or visit some Sur tourist attractions. 

Whether you’re driving from Muscat to Sur or heading from Sur Oman to Muscat, these eight incredible stops will make your journey all the more enjoyable. 

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