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Daymaniyat islands (Oman) – Tips + Snorkeling Tours

Last updated on November 13, 2023 by Claire Robinson - this article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I get a small commission (more)

Considered one of the top diving spots in Oman, the Daymaniyat islands are also a great place to snorkel or just relax on the white sand beaches.
Below is my travel guide to help you discover the rocky islets and their underwater world with a snorkeling tour.

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
Daymaniyat islands Oman snorkeling diving
Content
Why visit the Daymaniyat Islands in Oman?
PLANNING TIPS & Map – Daymaniyat Islands Oman
Landscapes and beaches at the Daymaniyat Islands
Daymanyiat Islands Snorkeling Tour
Birds at the Daymaniyat Islands Nature Reserve

Why visit the Daymaniyat Islands in Oman?

If you are looking for a great excursion from Muscat or the North Coast of Oman, the Daymaniyat Islands Nature Reserve is a great choice:

  • 9 Rocky islets
  • Stunning white sand beaches
  • Turquoise waters
  • A protected marine reserve with colored fish and sea turtles
  • Great diving and snorkeling opportunity
Visit Daymaniyat islands Nature Reserve Oman
Daymaniyat islands Nature Reserve Oman snorkeling 10

Below is a short video of my boat tour to the Daymaniyat Islands, where I toured several of them and snorkeled at 3 different spots:

Check out the Daymaniyat island tours.

More photos after the planning tips.

PLANNING TIPS & Map – Daymaniyat Islands Oman

Location – Daymaniyat islands Nature Reserve – Map

  • The Daymaniyat islands are off the coast and it will take you 30 min to 1 hour to reach them depending on your starting point (1hour from Muscat). 
  • The 9 islands are clustered into 3 distinct groups, so plan also some time to travel between them.
  • Located 17 kilometers off the Oman shore
  • North of Muscat, between Barka and Seeb
  • They are also called Dimaniyat or Dimaaniyat or al Dimaniyyat.
  • Below is a map to help you located the islands:
Map Daymaniyat Islands nature reserve Oman - Location
Map Daymaniyat Islands nature reserve Oman – Location

The islands are included in my travel guide to help you plan 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!

Getting to the Daymaniyat Islands – Tours

  • Tours depart from the Wave Marina (Almouj Marina) in Muscat or further along the coast from Al Sawadi beach resort or from the Millennium Resort Mussanah – I used SeaOman from the Wave and was satisfied with their service.
  • 30 min to 1 hour with a small motor boat – depending on departure point
  • See snorkeling or diving tour options on Getyourguide or the options on Viator

Visit Tips

  • This is a Nature Reserve so access is regulated (permit is required if you take your own boat)
  • Landing is not authorized from May to October in order to protect the ecosystem
  • The best season for diving is supposed to be from April to October – scuba travel has some diving maps
  • Some of the snorkeling spots are very quiet and good for less confident swimmers
  • Plan one day for a trip to the reserve – some tour operator organize lunch on the beach when authorized
  • You can use their equipment, or you can bring your own snorkeling gear
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

Landscapes and beaches at the Daymaniyat Islands

The islands of Daymaniyat have been protected since 1996 as a Nature Reserve.
The tiny islets are made of orange or grey rocks with some sandy area. 

It looks quite strange as you approach some of them on a boat. You wonder why there are such small islands here surrounded only by water…

Daymaniyat islands Nature Reserve Oman view 1
Daymaniyat islands Nature Reserve Oman view 2

This is a famous spot for diving, where the various isles offer different experiences:

Daymaniyat islands Nature Reserve Oman view 3

But it also offers a few dreamy white sand beaches with shallow turquoise water. A great place to relax!

Daymaniyat islands Nature Reserve Oman view 4
Daymaniyat islands Nature Reserve - beach
Daymaniyat islands Nature Reserve – beach
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Daymanyiat Islands Snorkeling Tour

About Snorkeling at the Daymaniyat islands

  • The islands are a great places to snorkel
  • Each group of isles offer a different experience: a great variety of corals, algae and fish
  • Some areas are quiet and easy, while other will require you to be a good swimmer with waves
  • The Daymaniyat islands are also a nesting ground for the turtles. Being off season, I was still hopeful to spot one, like I did on my Muscat Boat tours, but sadly I did not.
  • Apparently, if you dive there are also caves to explore.

Daymaniyat Snorkeling in photos

And below is a selection of photos I took while snorkeling at 3 different spots along the various islands:

Daymaniyat Islands snorkeling
Daymaniyat Islands snorkeling
Daymaniyat islands Nature Reserve Oman snorkeling 2
Daymaniyat islands Nature Reserve Oman snorkeling 3
Daymaniyat islands Nature Reserve Oman snorkeling 4
Daymaniyat islands Nature Reserve Oman snorkeling 5
Daymaniyat islands Nature Reserve Oman snorkeling 6
Daymaniyat islands Nature Reserve Oman snorkeling 7
Daymaniyat islands Nature Reserve Oman snorkeling 8
Daymaniyat islands Nature Reserve Oman snorkeling 9
Daymaniyat islands Nature Reserve Oman snorkeling 11

Check out the Daymaniyat island tours.

And if you like snorkeling photos, I also went along the Muscat Shores and spotted a turtle!

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

Birds at the Daymaniyat Islands Nature Reserve

But the Daymaniyat islands are not all about water and fish, with snorkeling and diving.
The reserve is also a nesting site for several migratory birds. I was off season but still spotted few birds:

Daymaniyat islands Nature Reserve Oman bird 1
Daymaniyat islands Nature Reserve Oman bird 2
Daymaniyat islands Nature Reserve Oman bird 3

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
  • Best days trips from Muscat – read article
  • Planning a road trip in Oman – read article
  • Driving 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?

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