Swim and hike in Wadi Shab Oman – Video, photos and practical tips

Wadi Shab Oman is one of the most popular gorges in the Sultanate. The place is a paradise to which access is limited via the river, so hiking and swimming are involved to reach some sections. If you are wandering what to expect and how difficult it is, check the following photos, video and practical information.

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Swimming in Wadi Shab Oman Video

Let's start with a video of Wadi Shab, which Lonely Planet calls 'one of the most gorgeous destinations in Oman' and that I have included in my top 10 things to do in Oman.

I did not film the hike but did use my GoPro to record the swimming part. It is a bit longer than the other videos so that you can realise the level of difficulty and to show you that you can access the cave without diving. For more information about the swim and the cave, check the sections further in the article.

You can see many amazing photos of the hike and swim after the information to help you plan

How to get to Wadi Shab Oman

Hiking and swimming in Wadi Shab (also called Wadi Al Shab or Wadi Shaab) is one of the top things to include in your Oman itinerary both for locals and expats. It is easily accessible from Muscat (a popular day tour) and Sur and yet offers beautiful nature as you cannot drive in it.

Wadi Shab Location

• South East of Muscat
• Along the Coast, between Muscat and Sur
• Muscat to Wadi Shab - 1h 30 drive
• Sur to Wadi Shab - 40 min drive

GPS coordinates, easy-to-plan maps and practical info in the eBook: Experience Oman

How to get to Wadi Shab

• If you are on a self-drive road trip, it is quite easy to find - the parking is clearly indicated from the main road
• If you don't want to drive, you can visit it on a day trip from Muscat with a driver - Check out program and price

Access to Wadi Shab

• 1 RIAL boat access (as of Dec 2015)
• Toilets at the entrance of the Wadi near the parking
• HIKE: under 1h hike to reach the beginning of the swim (first half easy walk, then boulders to climb over)
• SWIM: 15min each way. You cannot swim all the way, you will have small sections to walk (I recommend wearing waterproof footwear) - 

Wadi Shab Swim Difficulty to reach the cave

• If you want to just swim further in the wadi you need to be able to swim 50meters in a pool without holding one ot anything
• If you want to reach the cave, you need to ba able to swim 100 meters and be able to stay afloat straight in the water for 10min
• More information in the dedicated section further in this article

Best time to visit Wadi Shab Oman

• EARLY - I recommend getting there early to be almost alone swimming and avoid the crowds (the water will be cooler but the ambiance better)
• WEEK - Avoid weekends, it gets crowded wiht locals (Fri-Sat) - Plus if you go on weekends plan to cover yourself to swim.
• CHECK THE WEATHER - difficulty may change due to weather conditions in the days before (water levels can change drastically) - ask locals for advice.

• Leave as much as possible in the car. Many people just leave their bag near the beginning of the swim. My guide said there was no risk but I asked her to stay and watch over my camera and bag. Or bring a waterproof bag...
• Bring food and plenty of water. Between the hike and the swim you will need it.

Entrance to Wadi Shab Oman

Entrance to Wadi Shab is clearly indicated from the main road between Muscat and Sur.

You will see a bridge; under it is a parking area with public toilets.​

To start hiking you will have to cross the river on a small boat. It takes 2 minutes. Pack your camera in as getting in and out of the boat is not so easy. The boat owners take 1 RIAL (as of Dec 2015) for a return trip. They start at 8am.

Hike in Wadi Shab Oman

Once you get off the boat, the first part of the hike is easy with flat large areas and paths. It this section you can find small farms and their irrigation systems. In the morning it is in the shde which makes the walk bearable.

The advantage of being in a wadi is you can't get lost. The towering sandstone cliff prevents you from wandering off the path.

Below are a few shots of the begining of the hike. As you can see, there are alredy some small pools.

There is one section that takes you above the water level along the cliff. Access involves a huge step to climb at the time I did it (manageable for most but difficult if you have knee problems etc)

Then you reach some areas full of boulders and you have to hike above them as well as cross the water by big steps between rocks.

In between boulder areas you have some easy sections.

And then the wadi narrows and you reach the swimming area. It doesn't look like much but wait until you see...

Swimming in Wadi Shab

Note: remember that water levels depend on weather conditions the days before.

Now let's talk swim. You can easily swim at the beginning even if you are not a good swimmer. You can just relax in low depth pool.

If you can swim 50 meters in a pool without holding on to anything you can easily get further in the wadi. As you can see in the shots​, the successive pools start with easy slopes and then it can get quite deep in some sections until you have to get out again, walk a little on rocks and get into the next pool.

It is worth it: the narrow gorge, the peace and quiet (especially in the morning before the tourists), and the stunning white rocks.​

Getting out of a pool and walking to the next: be careful! It can get slippery and unconfortable under the feet. I recommend water-proof shoes.

The cave at the end of Wadi Shab in Oman

After 15 min of swimming and walking you reach what looks like the end of the trip. However DO NOT TURN AROUND!

If you are a good swimmer there is a hidden cave that can be reach. The entrance is under that big rock that looks unstable (to the left). There is space for your head all the way to the cave so you don't have to dive. But you do have to be able to swim sideway almost straight. Have a look at the video to discover the passage (at the beginning of this post).​

Some people say there is a strong current, I did not feel it (it had not rained for a long time and the waterfall was small when I visited). But do not go in if you are not a good swimmer!​

Note: If it has rained the day before, the crack will be submerged and you won't have access to the cave.

The cave has some holes so it is not dark and the waterfall is a nice feature. I did not take a good picture but you can see it better in the video.

The frogs of Wadi Shab

Along the way, be careful not to walk on those little cute frogs!

Other notes

Wadi Bani Khalid is another Wadi where you can swim and it is more accessible. 

You can also swim in the pools of Wadi Tiwi, but the feeling is very different as the gorge is wider and there is a road along the river bed.​

Other bloggers have experienced the charm of Wadi Shab, check out their stories:

• ​Fleeting Footprint
  

Want to see more of Oman's beauty?

Discover more things to do and places to see in Oman in my online Oman Destination Guide.

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