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,
- …
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
Best Oman day trips from Muscat – short answer
If you don’t want to read the entire article and learn more about each destination, below is my selection of 5 day trips from Muscat that will give you a great overview of the country:
- Bimmah Sinkhole and Wadi Shab – see options
- Jebel Shams, Oman grand canyon – see tour
- Wahiba Sands desert and sand dunes – see tour or choose an overnight tour
- Historical tour (forts and ruins) – see tour
- Boat tour with dolphin watching and snorkeling – see options
And if you want to cover more, you can book a 4 day tour that will show you the best of North Oman – see program
More suggestions and details after the planning tips.
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.
Check out the best rated accommodations in Muscat
Or check out these suggestions:
- PRACTICAL –
The Coral Muscat Hotel and Apartments is a great location for a base with spacious facilities and with an apartment you can have more freedom
– Check photos and availability - MODERN & GOOD VALUE –
The Centara Muscat Hotel is not near the beach so has good value deals with really good accommodations
– Check photos and availability - LUXURY and CHARM –
Located by the beach, The Chedi Muscat is displays Sumptuous decor and a unique atmosphere – it brings the local architecture styles with modern concept
– Check photos and availability - The WELL KNOWN BRAND –
The Grand Hyatt Muscat has a great location by the beach and all the facilities you could need
– Check photos and availability - CHEAPER OPTION BY THE BEACH –
The Al Ferdous apartments offer a great price alternative for those you still want to stay very close to the beach
– Check photos and availability
How to get around Oman from Muscat
Those day trips can be done by renting a car and driving yourself, or by joining a guided tour.
- Regarding guided tours – many Oman day tours are only offered as private tours – there are not yet many group tours in the Sultanate yet.
- Driving in Oman to most destinations is quite easy – read my article on driving
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!
MOUNTAINS – 2 Best Oman Day tours from Muscat
Oman Grand Canyon Tour from Muscat
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
Alternative
If your days are counted, the Grand canyon can also be combined with the Nizwa fort – check out program and availability
Jebel Akhdar from Muscat
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 lunch, you can enjoy some of the most beautiful locations in the area.
Tour Length: 8h
Check out program and availability
DESERT – 1 Oman Day Trip from Muscat
Wahiba Sands and Wadi Bani Khalid
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
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…
WADIS & FORTS – 3 Excursions from Muscat
Wadi Shab
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
Nakhal Fort & Rustaq
About the day tour
Another excursion from Muscat goes to the Nakhal Fort.
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 tour will take you to the Nakhal Fort, an impressive fortress, Rustaq and a river.
Tour Length: 8h
Check out program and availability
Nizwa, ruins and forts
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
BOAT – 3 Boat Tours in Muscat (dolphin watching, snorkeling…)
Dolphin Watching in Muscat + Snorkeling
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, you 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
Snorkeling at Daymanyat Islands
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
Dhow Cruise at Sunset
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
OVERNIGHT tour from Muscat
2-day South Desert and Wadis
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
CITY – 2 Muscat Tours – visit the capital city
Half Day City overview
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
Guided Oman tour – Multiday
And if you want to cover more grounds, and get a good overview of North Oman, you can book a multiday tour.
For example:
Length – 4 days
Includes:
- souq
- forts
- camp in desert
- wadis
- Jebel Shams – Grand canyon
- Turtles
- …
Check out the program and availability
Want to see more of Oman?
- Best Things to do in Oman – read article
- Best of photos from Oman – Landscapes – read article
- Where to stay in Oman – read article
- Planning a road trip in Oman – read article
- Renting a car and Driving in Oman – read article
- Best things to do in Muscat – read article
- The impressive Wadi Shab – 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
- 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
And keep track of your own trip!
Want to see More of OMAN?
PREVIOUS:
NEXT:
Inspired? Share it on your favorite platform!
Could you please advise whether these are offered in the August to September period?
Many of them are. When you click on the link, it opens Getyourguide and Viator. In the confirm availability box you can pick a date. On Getyourguide if it is green it means the tour is available.
But the weather will seriously limit you walking. It get really hot. I recommend either going in the mountains or visiting fort.
Happy travels!
we are a group of family of 10 amd arrive on the costa diamema on the 27 of nov want a full day tour wich is your best option first time
Hi Lorena
I want to clarify that those are not my tours, I am neither tour guide nor a travel agency. I just list the destinations I like best.
For a first time, depending on your fitness level and you previous travel experiences, I would do either Wadi Shab or Wahiba Sands.
But if your family loves history, I would pick one of the forts.
I wish you wonderful travels!
Claire