10 best Oman Day Tours from Muscat (Desert, Canyon, Wadis…)

Planning to visit Oman? Don't want to drive ?
That's fine, there are many Oman day tours from Muscat available to you.
Below is my selection for the best day trips from Muscat, to see the best Oman has to offer:

• wadis,
• grand canyon,
• sand dunes,
• wildlife,
• ... 

In this article, no ads, no sponsored posts. Just some affiliate links.
If you purchase through them, I get a commission at no extra cost to you (Disclosure).

Planning tips - Establish your base in Muscat

Why base yourself in Muscat to visit Oman?

Road tripping is great (see my guide to help you plan your Oman road trip), but if you have only a few days, the option of guided excursions from Muscat are a great alternative.
It is quite central to most attractions in North Oman. You can visit a lot within 2-hour drive.
You can alternate the days on the roads, with calmer day exploring the capital city and its many wonders.

Where to stay in Muscat

So if you establish your base in Muscat, Oman, you have to choose your accommodation.
Most hotels are in the modern part of Oman called Qurum or in the more business part, Ruwi.
A great place to stay is near the Al Qurum beach to enjoy a nice walk at the end of the day.

About the day tour

This trip will first take to one of the most beloved villages in Oman called Misfat al Abriyeen with its exquisite views and narrow stone paths on the mountain slopes.
Then you will climb to the top of Jebel Shams to feel dizzy with the impressive drop of Jebel Shams. This canyon is called the Arabian Grand Canyon. Its summit reaches 3000m in height. 

Want to see more photos of Jebel Shams? Head to my article.

Guided Tour Option

It is a long drive but you won't get bored, the views are fascinating the whole way. And you will be able to enjoy a coffee break with some locals!
Tour Length: 10 h
Check out program and availability

About the day trip

If you want to escape the heat and busyness of Muscat, the Akhdar mountains are where the locals go. This large plateau is quite fascinating with plantations in terraces and what looks like layers of mountains.
The "Green Mountains" are not that green , but greener than most of the country.

Want to see more photos of the Jebel Akhdar ? Head to my article.

Guided Tour Option

The drive will take you through some small villages all the way to the plateau. After a picnic, you can enjoy some of the most beautiful locations in the area.
Tour Length: 8h
Check out program and availability

About the day trip

If you love desert, raise your hand!!! Me too, me too.
Whenever there is a desert, I don't miss a chance to spend some time there.
The chance is that the sand dunes of Wahiba sands are not really far from Muscat, so you can visit them on a day trip (but an overnight stay is even better - see the overnight section further in the article). 

The dunes are longitudinal and between them are smaller ones.

Want to see more photos of the Wahiba Sands ? Head to my article.

Guided Tour Option

This tour takes you both the Wahiba sands for some 4WD fun and to the gorgeous Wadi Bani Khalid with white walls and crystal clear pools where you can swim. A full day of wonders - private tour.
Tour Length: 9h
Check out program and availability

About the day trip

Explore one of the most beautiful wadis in Oman. Wadi Shab is exquisite. The fun hike at its bottom will take you from large area to narrower ones with small and larger pools.
After a while, you can only continue by swimming all the way to a semi-cave and a waterfall.

Want to see more photos of the Wadi Shab ? Head to my article.

Guided Tour Option

This tour to Wadi Shab will also take to the turquoise Sink hole of Bimmah and Finns beach, one of the most beautiful in the country.
A gorgeous day with not too much driving time.
Tour Length: 6h
See options

About the day tour

Another excursion from Muscat goes to Wadi Bani Auf, a canyon where you can drive 4WD. This allow you to explore small isolated villages.
Thanks to a strategic location, the Nakhal Fort has had a long history and has been enlarged and modified many times. Today it is open to tourists who can enjoy beautiful views of the Oasis.

Guided Tour Option

This 4WD tour will take you through Wadi Bani Auf with a stop along the way to visit the Nakhal Fort, an impressive fortress
Tour Length: 8h
Check out program and availability

About the day trip

Nizwa is the largest town inland. It is built around its fort and traditional market (souq). It is a great place to explore to learn about the Omani history and culture.
In the same area, you can enjoy more forts and the ruins of old villages, with Unesco features.

Want to see more photos of the Nizwa fort ? Head to my article.

Guided Tour Option

This Nizwa tour will give you some time to explore the fort and the market.
But you will also discover the historic Village of Birkat al Mauz which still displays the protected historical irrigation system and other forts, including the Jibreen castle.
Tour Length: 8h

Check out program and availability

About the day trip

The waters of Oman have an abundant sea life with turtles, fishes and dolphins.
So hop on a boat and try finding a pod of wild dolphins that will have fun with the waves created by the boat.
Of course sightings cannot be guaranteed, but the views of the coast are already worth the trip

Want to see more photos of this snorkeling experience ? Head to my article.

Guided Tour Option

This is a great tour where, on top of the dolphins, you can see the coastal formations and mountains North of Muscat.
With some tours, ou will also have an opportunity to snorkel in the Bandar-al Khiran reserve. And maybe, like me, you will spot a turtle!
Tour Length: Several hours

See options

About the day trip

If you love Snorkeling the waters of the Daymaniyat islands are perfect.
Located off the coast of Muscat, the small archipelago attracts many species and the experience varies a lot from one island to the other.
The largest island offers some protected coves with transparent waters and peaceful white sand beaches.

Want to see more photos of the Daymanyiat Islands? Head to my article.

Guided Tour Option

Let the pilot take you to the best snorkeling spots around the islands!
Landing is not allowed at all times of the year, but snorkeling is always tolerated.
Tour Length: 5h
See options & availabilities

About the day trip

A great time to go on a boat in Muscat is at sunset, when the sun drops behind the city and the mountains. Gold appears all around.

Want to see more photos of this sunset experience ? Head to my article.

Guided Tour Option

Several boat types can be taken to watch sunset.
In this tour, you hop on a traditional Dhow boat to experience it the Omani way.
Tour Length: 2h
Check out program and availability

If you want to cover several of the coastal highlights with a night in the desert, you have to book an overnight tour
Nizwa, Wahiba Sands, Wadi Shab... a great variety of the different Omani landscapes.

Guided Tour Option

On these tours, you can cover a lot with sunset in the desert, Nizwa, beautiful Wadis and more.
Tour Length: 2 days

Check out options

Guided Tour Option

In between your Oman day tours from Muscat you can explore the capital city.  Why not start with a half day tour to learn a bit about its history and get oriented?
Tour Length: Half day
Check out program and price

After getting oriented you can easily take cabs to the various parts of town to visit the main monuments. Check out my article about the things to do in Muscat.

Muscat Guided Night Tour

Want to see Muscat in a different light?
Discover its wonders by night coupled with a nice Omani diner and a guide that will be able to answer all your questions (or almost all...)
Tour Length: 4h
Check out program and availability

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