Things to do in Muscat
Enjoy excellent scuba diving all the year round
Warm seas, vibrant coloured fish and excellent reefs make Muscat a world-class location for year round scuba diving. Lua Lua Diving (+968 9691 7330; www.lualuadiving.com) offer PADI courses for beginners, excellent day trips to established sites such as the Daymaniyat and Fahal Islands for the more experienced, and some superb shoreline snorkelling too.
Head out to sea for some whale watching
The waters around Oman's port capital are teeming with a cacophony of creatures, including two of its most prized: dolphins and whales. For fans of these magnificent mammals, the best way to see them is with a boat trip. Climb aboard with Alsansool (tel: +968 9274 8669; www.alsansool.net) to see them in their natural habitat.
Make a splash with some watersports
Muscat's location means that much of its activity is centred on the sea, and the warm azure waters are a great place for adrenaline junkies to make a splash. From going full-throttle on a jet-ski and catching air with a kite-board to discovering the thrill of wakeboarding, Uniboats (tel: +968 9261 1222; www.uniboats.com) do it all.
Spend a night under the stars
Muscat is morphing into a very modern city and despite its transformation it remains rich in cultural traditions. For an insight into a lifestyle at risk of disappearance, visitors can spend a night in the Wahiba desert with the nomadic Bedouin tribe. Oman Sarafis (tel: +968 9286 4776; www.omansafaris.com) can make the necessary arrangements.
While away an afternoon with a round of golf
Golf is a game that's gaining popularity in Oman, and thanks to the warm weather and additional challenge of the sea breeze, it is well suited to Muscat. Ex-pro Greg Norman designed one of the finest courses in the area, Almouj Golf (tel: +968 2200 5990; www.almoujgolf.com), whose stunning coastline location offers golfers a memorable round.
