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Bimmah Sinkhole (Oman) – Photos + Tips to visit

Last updated on November 1, 2021 By Claire, the Travel Planning Geek

While exploring the North Coast of Oman, don't miss the Bimmah Sinkhole.
Its depths, colors and surrounding create a unique experience.
Below is my guide to help you plan your visit with tips, map, legend and photos.

Bimmah Sinkhole Oman

Table of Contents
Why visit the the Bimmah Sinkhole, Oman?
Planning tips + Map - Bimmah Sinkhole Muscat
The Hawiyat Najm Park
Views from the rim
Down in the sinkhole
Swimming in the Bimmah Sinkhole

This article contains affiliate links (Disclosure page). If you purchase using my link, I get a commission at no extra cost to you.


Why visit the the Bimmah Sinkhole, Oman?

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.
It is and impressive location with:

  • a giant hole,
  • turquoise waters,
  • the sea on one side,
  • the mountains on the other side.

Plus it is very easy to access and you can walk down to water level!
The Daily Mail even called it the world's most beautiful sinkhole... Easy to understand why. The contrasts are mesmerizing!

Bimmah Dabab Sinkhole, Oman - views from the rim 2

Bimmah Sinkhole, Oman

The Bimmah sinkhole legend

The local legend says that it was created by a meteorite.
This is why its name "Hawaiyat Najm" translates to "The Falling Star".

What geology says...

Geologists have confirmed that the Earth's upper crust layer collapsed due to erosion (the interaction of limestone with water).

Bimmah sinkhole facts - depth and more

  • The hole is not the only one in Oman,
  • Not totally round, Width =  50 to 70m
  • Depth = 20 meeter deep cavernous hole, filled with multi-toned turquoise water. 

More photos after the planning tips.


Planning tips + Map - Bimmah Sinkhole Muscat

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
  • Only 600m away from the sea
  • 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:
Bimmah Sinkhole Oman location map

Map of Bimmah Sinkhole location in Oman

This location is included (with GPS coordinates, map of region and planning info) in my travel guide eBook that helps you easily plan your Oman road trip:

Be overwhelmed by the beauty, not the planning!

Oman Travel Guide eBook
  • 8 exclusive easy-to-plan maps
  • 90+ amazing locations
  • Tips to make the most of your time
  • 100+ large photos to decide 
  • GPS coordinates direct to the carparks

LEARN MORE

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:

  • From the main road between Muscat and Sur, the Sink Hole is clearly indicated.
  • Then just follow the road for a couple of minutes and you will reach a parking.

Need to rent a car in Oman?
My tips:

  • Compare car rental prices on Discovercars.com - one of the best customer-rated comparison sites!
  • Choose the car and company you prefer
  • Consider their full coverage option - I always take it for peace of mind! 
  • Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!
  • More tips on my article about driving in Oman 

First sign:

road sign to Oman Sink Hole on the road road Muscat to Sur

Second sign:

road sign to Bimmah SinkHole on the road road Muscat to Sur 2

Visit Tips

  • 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 

Where to stay in Oman?
My tips:

  • 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 - the explore the Southern lands - see best rated accommodations
  • Khasab - to explore the Musandam Peninsula - see best rated accommodations

or check out my article on Where to stay in Oman


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.

Hawiyat Najm Park

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.

Stairs to go down in the Sink Hole Oman

There is one sign with the short explanation I gave you earlier in this article, about the legend vs the geology.

Informative Sign at the SinkHole park, Oman

Views 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.

Bimmah Dabab Sinkhole, Oman - views from the rim 1

Looking from the staircase side, you can see the Sea behind.

Bimmah Dabab Sinkhole, Oman - views from the rim 4

And below is a zoom on the clear water. Tempting isn't it?

Bimmah Dabab Sinkhole, Oman - views from the rim 5

Looking from the opposite side you can see the mountains. And see how it created a cavern behind. 

Bimmah Dabab Sinkhole, Oman - views from the rim 6

Down in the sinkhole

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.

Bimmah Dabab Sinkhole, Oman - views from the water level 1
Bimmah Dabab Sinkhole, Oman - views from the water level 2
Bimmah Dabab Sinkhole, Oman - views from the water level 3

Swimming in the Bimmah Sinkhole

Some people swim in the Bimmah Sinkhole hole.
I did not as I was going to do an amazing swim in Wadi Shab after that.
The water is cool and seems clean.

Swimming in the turquoise water of the Oman Dabab Sinkhole
Swimming in the turquoise water of the Oman Dabab Sinkhole 2

Bimmah sinkhole jump 

There are some areas 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?

  • 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
  • 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
  • The pools & cave of Wadi Bani Khalid - read article

Planning a trip to Oman?

Check out my travel guide to help you plan:

Be overwhelmed by the beauty, not the planning!

Oman Travel Guide eBook
  • 8 exclusive easy-to-plan maps
  • 90+ amazing locations
  • Tips to make the most of your time
  • 100+ large photos to decide 
  • GPS coordinates direct to the carparks

LEARN MORE

And keep track of your own trip!

Oman road trip journal

Want to see more of Oman's beauty?

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MUSCAT BOAT TOURS - SNORKELING

NEXT: 

SALMAH PLATEAU - OFF ROAD

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Bimmah Sinkhole Oman

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nicolleen says

    April 4, 2017 at 8:33 AM

    Really interesting place for Swimming in the Bimmah Sinkhole, i wish to travel Oman.

  2. Carsten says

    April 21, 2017 at 10:35 AM

    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!

    • Claire Robinson says

      April 21, 2017 at 11:34 AM

      Thanks for letting me know this was useful.
      Have a wonderful trip!

  3. Scorpio says

    May 23, 2017 at 8:54 AM

    Fantastic view and shallow water makes it best place to swim. Never saw this type of hole before its amazing.

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