BEST SURF SPOTS IN OMAN

BEST SURF SPOTS IN OMAN

A long desert coastline, with beachbreaks and reefs: although there is a long potential fetch, this is an east facing coast, so the surf can be inconsistant.

Location: Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian Gulf, between Yemen and UAE

Geographic coordinates: 21 00 N, 57 00 E

Coastline: 2,092 km

Climate: dry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strong southwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south

Terrain: central desert plain, rugged mountains in north and south
Natural hazards: summer winds often raise large sandstorms and dust storms in interior; periodic droughts
Currency: Omani rial (OMR)

The best known surf spot in Oman is certainly:

JOE'S POINT

The Middle East is still very much unexplored as a surfing destination, 
but Oman’s long stretch of coast facing the desert on one side 
and the Indian Ocean on the other boast miles of breaks waiting to be ridden.

Joe’s Point is suitable for both beginners and experts with a sand bar 
to the right and rock bottom to the left. Rides here can last up to 40 seconds. Compared to the rest of the Middle East, climates at Joe’s Point are forgiving. When neighboring Dubai is hitting 45 C, 
Sur in Oman is often in the low 30s and the water is a comfortable 25 C.

Getting there: This desert break can only be reached by car. Fly in to either Dubai and cross the border into Oman traveling down highway 23 (journey will take approximately 10 hours) or fly into Muscat and head along the coast for four hours on highway 17 towards Sur until you reach Asyllah.

OTHER SURF SPOTS:

ASEELA

Photo: http://www.wannasurf.com/spot/Middle_East/Oman/aseela/photo/index.html?wdaction=lib.WDPagePhoto.show&file_id=74266#wanna-content

Situated 16 km from Al Ashkarah head north to the town of Aseela, 
once there head up the coast towards Ras Al Hadd there's a new black top road. Follow this road for about 10 minutes, and take a right towards the beach, there's only one cove along this stretch of coast line so it's not to hard to find. Enjoy! 

You can park your car on the beach. 
The best way to surf it, is to walk up to the point and launch form there.
This place is also used by kitesurfers, windsurfers!

WAVE

TypePoint-break

DirectionLeft

BottomSandy

PowerFast, Powerful, Fun

Normal lengthNormal (50 to 150m)

Good day lengthLong (150 to 300 m)

TIDE, SWELL AND WIND

Good swell directionSouthWest

Good wind directionSouthWest

Swell sizeStarts working at and holds up to

Best tide positionAll tides

Best tide movementRising and falling tides

MORE DETAILS

Week crowdEmpty

Week-end crowdFew surfers

BANDAR AS SAQLAH

Photo: http://www.wannasurf.com/spot/Middle_East/Oman/Banda_al_Saqlah/photo/index.html?wdaction=lib.WDPagePhoto.show&file_id=104464#wanna-content

Photo: http://www.wannasurf.com/spot/Middle_East/Oman/Banda_al_Saqlah/photo/index.html?wdaction=lib.WDPagePhoto.show&page=1#wanna-content

This spot is situated 42km south of Alashkara following the coast. 
Look out for the blue Banda al Saqlah sign on your left. 
Turn right and follow the black top until it ends. 
The point is slap bang in front of you.
In a 2 wheel drive you can drive on back top until about 200 metres from the point. In a 4x4 you can drive right up on to the point.

The wave works from Late-June until early-September which coincides with the Khareef. he wave handle the cross Khareef wind well. 
However large swell and strong winds produce a rip that will carry you from the peak and deposit you right down the beach in a matter of minutes. 
Luckily the rip runs pretty much parallel with the beach. 
To counter the rip either use a bigger board that is easier to paddle, 
surf earlier in the morning or late afternoon. 
Mid-August to early-September often sees moderate swells and moderate winds which result in fun waves.
You can paddle in off the point. 
Either jumping in off the rocks or wading in through one of the several key holes.
There is a wave through most tides however at full tide the wave can be a bit fat. 
The wave breaks better on lower tides. 

WAVE

TypePoint-break

DirectionRight

BottomSandy with rock

PowerOrdinary

Normal lengthNormal (50 to 150m)

Good day lengthLong (150 to 300 m)

TIDE, SWELL AND WIND

Good swell directionSouthEast

Good wind directionDon't know

Swell sizeStarts working at 1.5m-2m /5ft-6ft and holds up to 3m+ / 10ft+

Best tide positionLow and mid tide

Best tide movementFalling tide

MORE DETAILS

Week crowdEmpty

Week-end crowdFew surfers

Atmosphere:

It's a fishing beach so can be a bit fishy smelling at times. Also over the last few years there has been a marked increase in fishing related detritus such as discarded nets, floats and plastic. A lot of locals visit the point to picnic and to fish. However the beach is large so you can find somewhere secluded to camp.

BEACH SOUTH OF ALASHKERAH POINT

Photo:http://www.wannasurf.com/spot/Middle_East/Oman/beach_south_of_alashkerah_point/photo/index.html?wdaction=lib.WDPagePhoto.show&page=1#wanna-content

Photo:http://www.wannasurf.com/spot/Middle_East/Oman/beach_south_of_alashkerah_point/photo/index.html?wdaction=lib.WDPagePhoto.show&page=3#wanna-content

If you are at the point break north of Alashkerah, 
go south along the beach a few 100 meters, 
till the beach ends as a cliff juts out. The cove is the spot. 
Surfed a decent wave here when point was small. 
You need 4x4 for instant access.

WAVE

TypeBeach-break

DirectionRight and left

BottomSandy

PowerFun

Normal lengthShort (< 50m)

Good day lengthNormal (50 to 150m)

MORE DETAILS

Week crowdEmpty

Week-end crowdEmpty

DANGERS

- Rips / undertow

HAGAL

Photo: http://www.wannasurf.com/spot/Middle_East/Oman/hagal/photo/index.html?wdaction=lib.WDPagePhoto.show&file_id=74270#wanna-content

Photo: http://www.wannasurf.com/spot/Middle_East/Oman/hagal/photo/index.html?wdaction=lib.WDPagePhoto.show&page=1#wanna-content

Situated on the East side of Mazirah Island, from Ras al Hadj cross to other side. It's also known as a very good windsurfing spot!

WAVE

TypeReef-rocky

DirectionRight

BottomReef (coral, sharp rocks etc..)

PowerPowerful

Normal lengthLong (150 to 300 m)

Good day lengthNormal (50 to 150m)

TIDE, SWELL AND WIND

Good swell directionSouthWest

Good wind directionSouth

Swell sizeStarts working at 1.5m-2m /5ft-6ft and holds up to 4m+ / 12ft

Best tide positionHigh tide only

Best tide movementRising tide

MORE DETAILS

Week crowdEmpty

Week-end crowdEmpty

Atmosphere:

It's a dry desert little omany fisherman's village with a powerfull side shore wind blowing. A great windsurfing spot with palm oasis under the sun at sunset ...beautifull powerfull place
(as is the whole island:)


MASIRAH ISLAND

Photo: http://www.wannasurf.com/spot/Middle_East/Oman/masirah_island/photo/index.html?wdaction=lib.WDPagePhoto.show&file_id=74272#wanna-content

From Muscat you drive to Sana. 
From there you catch the ferry to the Island (1h). 
Ones on the Island you drive to the East coast (15min) 
where you find several reefbreaks.

WAVE

TypeReef-rocky

Direction

BottomReef (coral, sharp rocks etc..)

PowerOrdinary, Fun

Normal lengthNormal (50 to 150m)

Good day lengthLong (150 to 300 m)

TIDE, SWELL AND WIND

Good swell directionSouth, SouthEast, East, NorthEast

Swell sizeStarts working at 1.0m-1.5m / 3ft-5ft and holds up to

MORE DETAILS

Week crowdEmpty

Week-end crowdEmpty

MUGSHAYL

Photo: http://www.wannasurf.com/spot/Middle_East/Oman/mugshell/photo/index.html?wdaction=lib.WDPagePhoto.show&file_id=74273#wanna-content

From Salalah head to the port and take the road to Mugshayl, stay on this road for about 20-25 minutes and you'll come right onto the beach.
It's easy to find. Go to Mugshayl, look out in front of Maneef cave.

There's a road all the way along the beach with plenty of parking.
The only time this place gets people on is...friday.
It's possible you go there even for a year and never see any other surfer! 
It can be all yours! :D
It's a fun wave that gets hollow over the sand bank and it may snap your board, so watch out!
Watch out also for the rocks, it breaks close to the rocks. 
There are two peaks, one is a kind of wedge but the best takeoff spot is further right where the wave starts to speed up. 
Pick your waves carefuly, many of the waves that come through are not lined up well.
The beach is about 2 miles long and you'll find the wave to suit you, if you have a power kite and buggy it's a must!

WAVE

TypeReef-rocky

DirectionRight

BottomFlat rocks

PowerFast, Fun

Normal lengthNormal (50 to 150m)

Good day lengthLong (150 to 300 m)

TIDE, SWELL AND WIND

Swell sizeStarts working at Less than 1m / 3ft and holds up to 3m+ / 10ft+

Best tide positionAll tides

Best tide movementRising tide

MORE DETAILS

Week crowdEmpty

Week-end crowdEmpty

DANGERS

- Urchins
- Rips / undertow

Atmosphere:

It's sunny every day from October to May, it's may be the best surf spot of South Oman.
You can meet large turtles in October and dolphins every day to surf through the waves with or just sit back and be humbled. 

Works best before and after the peak of the khareef season (july-august) the swell is very big 
during the khareef but also messy and windy. 
Before and after the swell is a nice size, clean and very consistent. 
Amazing scenery, loads of dolphins and turtles in the water, probably plenty more breaks in the area.
You can expect there very ledgy and fast, but a very short ride.

General:

SICK! 
THE WATER IS SO CLEAR AND WARM, 
SOME DAYS YOU CAN STAY OUT FOR 3-4 HOURS.  
AS THE ADDITION TO THE SPOT THERE'S A NEAT CAFE WHICH 
DOES DISHES FROM FRESH FISHES WHICH YOU EVEN DIDN'T DREAM OF!!!
IT'S OPEN EVERY EVENING ABOUT 6-12 P.M.

The source: http://www.wannasurf.com/spot/Middle_East/Oman/