A protected nature reserve · 25 to 30 minutes by boat from Muscat

Daymaniyat Islands: turtles, reefs and island beaches off Muscat

The Daymaniyat Islands are nine small, uninhabited islands in a protected nature reserve off the coast of Muscat, Oman. We take you there from Seeb Marina: snorkel with turtles, try diving, spend a day on the beach or camp overnight. Shared snorkeling starts at 30 OMR per adult, and everything is booked on WhatsApp.

Morning (08:30) and afternoon (13:30) departures. Masks, life jackets and snacks are on board.

Book on WhatsApp

Plan your day out

Trip

Date

Adults

Children 3–12

Check availability on WhatsApp

Full refund if we cancel for weather. Under-3s go free, except on camping (10 OMR).

Reserve permits included on shared trips
Masks and life jackets on board
12 to 16 guests on shared boats
Full refund if weather cancels the trip
Book on WhatsApp with a 50% deposit

Our trips

Pick your trip

Prices are in OMR, plus 5% VAT. Island trips leave from Seeb Marina and dolphin trips from Marina Bandar Al Rowdha. Every trip is booked on WhatsApp with a 50% deposit.

Shared snorkeling

A half day on the water with two snorkel stops. The captain picks the spots on the day, based on where the marine life is and what the sea is doing.

Price: 30 OMR per adult, 15 OMR per child + VAT
Time: 08:30 to 12:30 / 13:30 to 17:30 · About 4 hours
From: Seeb Marina, Muscat

Best for: First-timers, families and anyone who wants an easy half day.

See details

Private boat

The whole boat for your group, in the morning or afternoon. You plan your own four hours: how long to snorkel and, from November to April, how long on the beach. The boat price depends on group size, plus a small permit per person.

Price: From 230 OMR per boat + VAT
Time: 08:30 to 12:30 / 13:30 to 17:30 · About 4 hours
From: Seeb Marina, Muscat

Best for: Families, friends and celebrations.

See details

Scuba diving

Never dived? Discover Scuba gives you one guided dive with an instructor, no certificate needed (ages 14 and over). Already certified? Book two guided dives.

Price: Discover Scuba Diving: 60 OMR · Certified diving (2 dives): 70 OMR + VAT
Time: Confirmed with the dive team · About 4.5 hours
From: Seeb Marina, Muscat

Best for: Beginners who want to try diving, and certified divers.

See details

Full-day island trip

A whole day out: two or three snorkel stops, lunch on the island or the boat, and time on an island beach with shade and chairs. November to April.

Price: 60 OMR per adult, 30 OMR per child + VAT
Time: 08:30 to 18:00
From: Seeb Marina, Muscat · 1 Nov to 30 Apr

Best for: People who would rather not watch the clock.

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Overnight camping

Snorkel in the afternoon, watch the sunset, have a BBQ dinner and sleep on the island. Breakfast and a last swim in the morning. Couples can have their own tent.

Price: 100 OMR per adult, 50 OMR per child + VAT
Time: 13:30 to about 13:00 next day · 2 days, 1 night
From: Seeb Marina, Muscat · 1 Nov to 30 Apr

Best for: Couples, friends and families who want a night on the island.

See details

Dolphin watching

A separate two-hour boat trip from Marina Bandar Al Rowdha to look for wild dolphins. You watch from the boat: there is no swimming, and sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Price: Dolphin watching (shared boat): 20 OMR · Private dolphin watching: 180 OMR per boat + VAT
Time: 10:00 to 12:00 · About 2 hours
From: Marina Bandar Al Rowdha, Muscat

Best for: Anyone whose main goal is seeing dolphins.

See details

The islands

What are the Daymaniyat Islands?

The Daymaniyat Islands (also written Dimaniyat) are a chain of nine small, uninhabited islands off the coast between Seeb and Barka, north-west of Muscat. They have been a nature reserve since 1996, protecting coral reefs, turtle nesting beaches and seabirds. There are no hotels, shops or ferries: you visit on a boat trip, and every visitor needs a reserve permit, which we arrange.

Where: 16 to 18 km off the coast; 25 to 30 minutes by boat from Seeb Marina
Known for: Sea turtles all year, coral reefs and clear water
Beaches: Open November to April, closed May to October for nesting
In the water: Snorkeling and diving all year, weather permitting

The nature reserve and its rules How to get to the islands What you can see

Not sure?

Which trip suits you?

First time

It's your first time, or you're not a confident swimmer

Choose shared snorkeling. Everyone wears a life jacket, the crew stays close and helps anyone who needs it, and you can stay on the boat if you would rather.

See the snorkeling trip

Families

You're coming with young children

Shared snorkeling or a private boat both work. Children aged 3 to 12 pay the child fare and under-3s go free. For babies, please bring a properly fitted infant life jacket.

See the private boat

Try diving

You want to try scuba diving

Discover Scuba is one guided dive with an instructor, with no certificate needed. The minimum age is 14, and the instructor decides on the day whether it is right for you.

See diving trips

Certified divers

You're a certified diver

Two guided dives with a dive guide. All certification agencies are accepted: bring your card.

See diving trips

Couples and groups

You're a couple, a group of friends or celebrating

Take a private boat, or spend a night camping on the island between November and April.

See the camping trip

On the day

What a snorkeling trip looks like

This is the usual shape of a half-day shared trip. The order can change with the weather and the sea.

Meet at Seeb Marina
Arrive about 15 minutes before departure: 08:15 for the morning trip, 13:15 for the afternoon trip. Free parking at the marina. The crew give a short briefing before you set off.
Boat to the islands
About 25 to 30 minutes, depending on the sea. Shared boats carry 12 to 16 guests, so there is room to move.
First snorkel stop
The captain chooses the spot from where the marine life is, how clear the water is and what the sea is doing. Turtles, coral and reef fish are common here, but none are guaranteed.
Second stop
A different spot, again chosen on the day. The crew are on hand throughout if you need help.
Food and drinks on board
Sandwiches, snacks, water and soft drinks are included.
Back at Seeb Marina
12:30 for the morning trip and 17:30 for the afternoon trip. From November to April the trip also includes time on the island beach.

What you may see

Wild animals keep their own schedule

We cannot promise a sighting. This is what we can tell you.

Sea turtles All year: Commonly seen around the islands and possible at any time of year while snorkeling or diving. Common, but never guaranteed.
Coral reefs and reef fish All year: The islands have some of Oman’s best coral reefs and plenty of reef fish. The captain picks snorkel spots by visibility, currents and safety.
Reef sharks Sometimes: Our crews have seen reef sharks around the islands many times, more often on dives than when snorkeling. Never guaranteed.
Whale sharks June to September: Seasonal and unpredictable. Mainly June to September, sometimes still in October, and not guaranteed on any trip. Read the whale shark season guide.
Dolphins Sometimes: Sometimes seen on the boat ride. If dolphins are your main goal, book the dedicated dolphin trip from Marina Bandar Al Rowdha.

Please do not chase, touch, feed or harass marine life, and do not stand on coral. Follow the captain’s instructions.

Seasons

When to go

Snorkeling and diving run all year. The islands are a protected nature reserve and an important turtle nesting area, so what you can do on land changes with the season.

From 1 November to 30 April we can land on the beaches, and full-day and camping trips run. From May to October the beaches are closed for turtle nesting, so trips stay on the water and snorkeling and diving carry on from the boat. Whale sharks are mainly seen from June to September.

Best time to visit the Daymaniyat Islands Whale shark season guide

November to April

Spend a night on the island

The only way to stay on the Daymaniyat Islands is to camp. Snorkel in the afternoon, watch the sunset from the beach, then have a BBQ dinner and sleep in a tent with a mattress and blankets. There are toilets and showers on the island. In the morning there is breakfast and one more swim before the boat back. Couples can have their own tent.

Camping is 100 OMR per adult, 50 OMR per child and 10 OMR for under-3s, plus VAT. Camp areas are shared, so other tour groups or campers may be on the same island.

Your crew

Captain Sufyan and Captain Idrees

Sufyan and Idrees take the boats out. They decide where to stop each day by looking at the weather, the water and where the marine life is.

Our boats hold more than 20 people, but we keep shared trips to 12 to 16 so nobody is squeezed. If you are nervous in the water, tell the crew when you board. Life jackets are provided for everyone and the crew stays close to anyone who wants help.

Before you book

Know before you go

Where to meet

Island trips leave from Seeb Marina, Muscat. Dolphin trips leave from Marina Bandar Al Rowdha. Please arrive 15 minutes early. Hotel transport can be arranged for an extra fee: ask on WhatsApp.

What to bring

Swimwear, a towel, reef-safe sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, any personal medication and a waterproof phone case. Wear modest clothes at the marina and change on board.

Paying

A 50% deposit confirms your booking, paid by secure link with a credit or debit card or Apple Pay. Prices are in OMR and exclude 5% VAT.

Cancelling and weather

Cancel more than 48 hours before and you get 50% back, less a 5% payment fee. Inside 48 hours it is non-refundable. If we cancel because of weather or sea conditions, you get a full refund or a new date.

Questions people ask us

Where are the Daymaniyat Islands?

Off the coast of Muscat, Oman: 16 to 18 km out to sea between Seeb and Barka. Boats from Seeb Marina reach them in 25 to 30 minutes.

How do you get to the Daymaniyat Islands?

Only by boat: there is no ferry. Our trips leave from Seeb Marina, 15 to 25 minutes by car from Muscat airport, and the reserve permit is arranged for you.

Are the Daymaniyat Islands worth visiting?

If you like the sea, yes: turtles are commonly seen all year, the reefs are some of the best in Oman, and the islands are only 25 to 30 minutes by boat from Muscat. There are no shops, cafés or hotels on the islands, so everything you need comes on the boat.

Can you stay overnight on the Daymaniyat Islands?

Only by camping, from November to April: there are no hotels. Our camping trip includes tents, mattresses, dinner and breakfast, and there are toilets and showers on the island.

Do I need to be able to swim?

No. Non-swimmers can join the boat trip. Life jackets are provided, the crew can help where needed, and you can stay on the boat if you prefer. Children and less confident swimmers should stay under an adult’s supervision.

Are children allowed?

Yes. Children aged 3 to 12 pay the child fare. Children under 3 go free on every trip except overnight camping, where they are 10 OMR. Young children need a properly fitted life jacket, and for babies please bring a well-fitting infant life jacket. Discover Scuba is for ages 14 and over.

How long is the boat ride, and how many stops are there?

About 25 to 30 minutes from Seeb Marina, depending on the sea. A half-day trip normally has two snorkel stops, chosen by the captain on the day.

Will we see turtles?

Turtles are commonly spotted and can be seen all year, but they are wild animals, so sightings cannot be guaranteed. Whale sharks are seasonal, mainly June to September.

Can we walk on the islands?

From 1 November to 30 April, yes: beach time is part of the trip. From 1 May to 31 October the beaches are closed for turtle nesting, so trips stay on the water.

Is hotel pickup included?

Not in the trip price, but we can arrange hotel transport for an extra fee. Message us on WhatsApp with your hotel and date and we will confirm the price before you book.

Do guests who do not snorkel pay less?

No. The fare covers the boat seat and the whole trip, so guests who stay on board pay the normal fare.