Local Omanis still believe the Bimmah Sinkhole Oman not far from Muscat was created by a falling star. And even though geologists have confirmed it was caused by erosion, I think the legend goes better with the colorful beauty of the place. Let me know what you think after these photos...
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About the Bimmah Sinkhole Muscat
Hawaiyat Najm (known to foreigners as the Sinkhole, the Bimmah Sink Hole or the Dabab Sinkhole...) is a large hole in the Earth crust filled with some fresh water.
Quite impressive:
The local legend says that it was created by a meteorite. This is why its name "Hawaiyat Najm" translates to "The Falling Star".
However geologists have confirmed that the Earth's upper crust layer collapsed due to erosion (the interaction of limestone with water).
The hole, which is not the only one in Oman, is a 40 meter wide and 20 meeter deep cavernous hole, filled with multi-toned turquoise water.
It is surrounded by the sea on one side and the mountains on the other.
The daily mail even called it the world's most beautiful sinkhole... Easy to understand why. The contrasts are mesmerizing!
How to get to the Bimmah Sinkhole Oman
Bimmah Sinkhole location - Map
- South of Muscat, along the coast
- Along the Highway from Muscat to Sur (Road 17)
- Between the Dabab and Bimmah villages
- Muscat to Bimmah sinkhole = 113km - 1 hour drive
- Sur to Bimmah sinkhole = 77km - 1 hour drive
- Good place to stop on your way to beautiful Wadi Shab - Bimmah Sinkhole to Wadi Shab = 30km - 20min drive to carpark
- See below the map to help you locate the sinkhole:
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How to get to Sinkhole location
If you don't want to drive, you can take a tour from Muscat that will take you both to the Bimmah sinkhole and Wadi Shab - Check out program
However, if you are road tripping around Oman, this is very easy to access:
First sign:
Second sign:
Visiting the Bimmah Sink Hole
- If you do not plan to swim, half an hour is sufficient to admire the place and walk to the water level
- Facilities for picnics, including palm trees to provide shade (but no food stand)
- Toilets near the entrance
- Entrance is free
- The walk to reach the hole is flat. But if you want to go down, count 80 high steps
The Hawiyat Najm Park
The Omanis have set up a park around the Bimmah Sinkhole with palm trees and picnic tables. As you can see, the path to the hole is accessible to everyone.
To go down to the water level, a ciment staircase was added. It is ugly, but it gets you there. Beware that the roughly 80 steps are relatively high and you might need to stop and breathe midway when you get back up 🙂
There is one sign with the short explanation I gave you earlier in this article but not much else.
Bimmah Sink hole Oman from the rim
I first walked around the rim of the sink hole. I enjoyed how the water changed colors depending on the angle of me and the sun. Plus you can really see the layers of rock.
Looking from the staircase side, you can see the Sea behind.
And below is a zoom on the clear water. Tempting isn't it?
Looking from the opposite side you can see the mountains. And see how it created a cavern behind.
Down in the Bimmah Sinkhole in Oman
I then walked down to the water level. There are many small fishes, the ones who like to nibble your skin like in the spas 🙂
I think the hole is actually more impressive from the top because you see the whole flat area and wonder, why here?
The other annoying thing is that people tend to shout and you will have very little chance to enjoy the place to yourself.
Swimming in the Bimmah Sinkhole
Some people swim in the Bimmah Sinkhole hole. I did not. I was going to do an amazing swim in Wadi Shab after that. The water is cool and seems clean. There are some area where you can climb a little and jump back in the hole. But do not jump from the rim, there is not enough depth!
Want to see more of Oman's beauty?
Have you ever seen such a hole in the Earth's crust?
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Really interesting place for Swimming in the Bimmah Sinkhole, i wish to travel Oman.
Wow Claire, thank you for posting such a comprehensive article. I have been intrigued with the Bimmah Sink Hole for a few weeks and am planning my next trip around it. Your article made driving there seem much less stressful. Tour guides want $400, which is absurd. You posting the pictures and road signs help me to see that a 4×4 vehicle is nice, but not needed. Thanks again!
Thanks for letting me know this was useful.
Have a wonderful trip!
Fantastic view and shallow water makes it best place to swim. Never saw this type of hole before its amazing.