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Al Sawadi Beach (Oman) – Visit tips + photos

Last updated on November 1, 2023 by Claire Robinson - this article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I get a small commission (more)

Al Sawadi beach with its islands (and resort) is one of the main touristic destinations between Muscat and Sohar, on the North Shore of Oman.
The beach is several kilometers long and covered with colorful shells!
The area is a great spot for snorkeling, diving and kite boarding.
Below is my guide to help you plan your visit with tips, photos and map.

Before my tips + photos, here are my favorites for Oman:

My favorite platform to rent a car in Oman: DiscoverCars

My favorite adventure from Muscat: Dolphin and Snorkeling

My favorite excursion from Muscat: Wadi Shab and Bimmah Sinkhole

My favorite places to stay:

  • Muscat, the capital – see the best rated hotels or my favorite hotel: The Chedi
  • Sur, for the turtles – see the best rated hotels
  • Khasab, Musandam peninsula – see the best rated hotels
  • Wahiba Sands, in the desert – see the best rated hotels or my favorite camp: Desert Nights Resort
Al Sawadi Al Sahil beach Shells - Oman - Travel Guide
Content
Why visit Al Sawadi beach, Oman?
Planning tips & Map – Al Sawadi Oman
Arriving at Al Sawadi
The Beach and the Al Sawadi islands
The Shells at Al Sawadi Beach
Starfish

Why visit Al Sawadi beach, Oman?

Al Sawadi beach is a special place on the North Shore of Oman.
The long beach is surrounded by a group of islands, which create a rocky environment great for snorkeling and diving. The main island has a fort and can be reached on foot during a low tide.

Al Sawadi is also a good departure point for the Damaniyat islands, considered one of the best diving spot in Oman.

Personally I decided to visit the beach, because I know it was covered with beautiful shells. Some photos in books had led me to believe it was covered with much more than what I saw, but they were still pretty.

Shells on Al Sawadi beach, Oman
Shells on Al Sawadi beach, Oman

More photos after the planning tips.

Planning tips & Map – Al Sawadi Oman

Getting to Al Sawadi Beach – Map & Location

  • 75km North of Muscat, along the coast (Obviously LOL)
  • Near the town of Barka
  • Muscat to Al Sawadi Beach = 1h drive
  • Sohar to Al Sawadi Beach = 1h40 drive
  • While driving on road 1 the exit is indicated. You then take Al Sawadi Beach Road. Just follow it.
  • Below is a map to help you get oriented
Map Al Sawadi beach in Oman - location
Map Al Sawadi beach in Oman – location

Al Sawadi beach is included in my Travel Guide eBook that facilitates the planning of your itinerary:

Plan your dream trip in Oman thanks to my guide
eBook Slovenia
  • 8 maps to easily plan your itinerary
  • 190+ pre-selected locations
  • Tips to make the most of your time
  • GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
  • 100+ original photos to help you choose
Discover it!

Visiting Al Sawadi

  • Typical day at the beach…
  • The beach is much more interesting at low tide with access to the main Sawadi island and pools of water full with starfish
  • During weekends (Friday – Saturday) many locals come enjoy the beach. It gets very busy especially at low tide as they like driving on the sand with their 4WD (and sometimes with simple cars) Be careful if you are walking around!
Road sign Al Sawadi
Need to rent a car in Oman?

My tips:

  • Compare prices on my favorite platform:  Discovercars.com – one of the best rated comparison sites!
  • Choose a car with enough power for the mountain roads
  • Consider their full coverage option – for peace of mind! 
  • Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!

See all my tips

See available cars

Al Sawadi Resort

  • the Al Sawadi Beach resort and spa with pools and good food options – check out photos and book
  • The Al Sawadi Holiday resort, right on the beach, has a water park
  • or you can consider wild camping
Where to stay in Oman?

My favorites on a road trip:

  • Muscat – capital city – see best rated accommodations
  • Nizwa – to explore the forts and hinterlands – see best rated accommodations
  • Sur – for the turtles, beaches, wadis… – see best rated accommodations
  • Wahiba Sands – for the experience of sleeping in the desert – see best rated accommodations
  • Salalah – to explore the Southern lands – see best rated accommodations
  • Khasab – to explore the Musandam Peninsula – see best rated accommodations
See our article on where to stay
Camp in Wahiba Sands

Arriving at Al Sawadi

This straight road takes you all the way to the parking near the beach.

Road to Al Sawadi beach, Oman

The Beach and the Al Sawadi islands

The Sawadi islands are really not far from the beach, especially during low tide.
So if you don’t mind the waves, it is a great spot for swimming and snorkeling.

Al Sawadi beach, Oman - Fishing boats

There are several small islands.

Al Sawadi beach, Oman - low tide

And a large one.
At low tide, you can walk all the way to the main island Jazirat Jabal Al Awd.
At the top you can see a fortification: the Suwadi Watch Tower. A beautiful build.
I did not have time to get closer, but if you do, it looks like fun.

I don’t drink coffee

But I also like other drinks and sweets!
Do you like the free content you find on my blog? All my tips and practical information, without intrusive advertising…

Claire, I pay you a coffee!
Al Sawadi beach, Oman - shells and Sawadi Island
Al Sawadi beach, Oman - low tide walk to Sawadi Island

Some people go by foot. Other try to go with their cars. But I have seen many of them get stuck in the wet sand…

Al Sawadi beach, Oman - low tide walk to Sawadi Island 2

The Shells at Al Sawadi Beach

The main reason behind my spot at Al Sawadi Beach was a photo on a book I saw in Oman. There was this beautiful shot that made it look like the beach was covered in shells rather than sand. The reality was quite different. Yes, there were plenty of beautiful and colorful shells but as you can see in the photos below you can still see the sand…

Shells on Sawadi Beach, Oman 1
Shells on Sawadi Beach, Oman 2
Shells on Sawadi Beach, Oman 4
Shells on Sawadi Beach, Oman 5

This shot was taken at one spot where everything had rolled and crash against a wall: sand, garbage and shells. The only place really full of shells…

Shells on Sawadi Beach, Oman 6

Starfish

At low tide, small pools of water remain on the beach. Go for a stroll and watch closely, you will spot many starfish.
I love them and how they move. Sadly the kids were taking them out of he water and putting them in cups…

Starfish on Sawadi Beach, Oman 1
Starfish on Sawadi Beach, Oman 2

Want to see more of Oman?

  • Best Things to do in Oman – read article
  • Best of photos from Oman – Landscapes – read article
  • Best days trips from Muscat – read article
  • Planning a road trip in Oman – read article
  • Best things to do in Muscat – read article
  • The impressive Wadi Shab – read article
  • The Bimmah Sinkhole – read article
  • The desert of Wahiba Sands – read article
  • The Ras Al Jinz turtle reserves – read article

Planning a trip to Oman?

Check out my travel guide to help you plan:

Plan your dream trip in Oman thanks to my guide
eBook Slovenia
  • 8 maps to easily plan your itinerary
  • 190+ pre-selected locations
  • Tips to make the most of your time
  • GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
  • 100+ original photos to help you choose
Discover it!

And keep track of your own trip!

Oman road trip journal

Want to see more of Oman’s beauty?

PREVIOUS: 

RUSTAQ OMAN – THE LOOP 

NEXT: 

DAYMANIYAT ISLANDS

Oman destination guide travel planning addict

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Eva says

    November 27, 2018 at 6:38 AM

    I love beaches and just cant resist myself from collecting shells. I have made some beautiful things out of seashells too and planning to go Oman in coming weekend .

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