Swim with Turtles near Muscat: Daymaniyat Islands Guide (2026)

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Which sea turtles live around the Daymaniyat Islands?
When is the best time to see turtles?
How to swim with turtles the right way
Can you see turtles nesting at the Daymaniyat Islands?
Can beginners and children swim with turtles?
Photographing turtles
Frequently asked questions
Swim with turtles near Muscat

Short answer: yes, you can swim with sea turtles near Muscat. Around the Daymaniyat Islands, 25 to 30 minutes by boat from Seeb Marina, green and hawksbill turtles are commonly seen while snorkeling, in every month of the year and on both morning and afternoon trips. They are wild animals, so no trip can promise one. If you want to watch turtles nesting on a beach, that is a different trip: the Daymaniyat beaches are closed to everyone during nesting, and the place to go is the Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve near Sur.

Turtles at the Daymaniyat Islands at a glance

Which turtles: Green and hawksbill turtles
When: All year, in the water
Morning or afternoon: Both. Neither time reliably has more turtles.
Guaranteed?: Never. They are commonly seen, but wild.
Nesting beaches: Closed May to October. No nesting tours.
The trip: Half-day snorkeling from Seeb Marina

Which sea turtles live around the Daymaniyat Islands?

Snorkeller at the surface above a green sea turtle resting on a coral reef — Turtles feed on the reef close to the islands

Two kinds of turtle are commonly seen here:

Green turtles: the larger of the two, with a smooth, rounded shell and a short, blunt head. You often see them feeding on the bottom or swimming slowly over sand and reef.
Hawksbill turtles: smaller, with a narrow, pointed beak like a bird’s and an overlapping, patterned shell. They feed around the coral. Hawksbills are critically endangered worldwide, which is one reason the islands are protected.

The Daymaniyat Islands are a nature reserve and an important turtle nesting area, so the turtles live here all year, not only in one season.

When is the best time to see turtles?

Any month. Turtles are seen while snorkeling and diving throughout the year, and our crews see them on morning and afternoon trips alike. What changes with the season is everything around them:

November to April: cooler days, open beaches, and the full-day trip and camping run. The sea is about 23 to 28 °C.
May to October: the beaches are closed for nesting, so you snorkel from the boat. The water is very warm, and from June to September there is a chance of whale sharks. Take the morning trip: it is cooler and the sea is usually calmer.

The sea and the weather on the day matter more than the month or the time you choose: the captain picks the two snorkel stops by the wind, the current, the visibility and where turtles have been seen. See the best time to visit for each month.

How to swim with turtles the right way

Do	Don’t
Float still at the surface and let the turtle swim on	Chase a turtle, or swim on top of it
Keep a few metres away and give it room to come up and breathe	Touch, hold or ride a turtle
Move slowly and quietly, with little splashing	Feed turtles or any marine life
Use reef-safe sunscreen	Stand on the coral or take shells and coral
Follow the crew’s instructions	Use a flash for photos

The Daymaniyat Islands are a protected nature reserve: these rules protect the turtles and the reef.

A turtle that doesn’t feel chased often keeps feeding or swims past calmly, which gives you the best view and the best photo. Turtles need to come to the surface to breathe, so never block a turtle that is swimming up.

Can you see turtles nesting at the Daymaniyat Islands?

No. Turtles nest on the island beaches from May to October, and that is exactly why the beaches close to everyone in those months: no tour company, camper or visitor may land. There are no nesting or hatching tours at the Daymaniyat Islands, and our camping trip runs only from November to April, outside the nesting season. On those camping nights, the crew go looking for turtles around 22:00 to 23:00 and let anyone who wants to see know, but nothing is guaranteed.

Where to see turtles nesting in Oman

To watch green turtles come ashore to lay their eggs, visit the Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve near Sur, about three hours’ drive south-east of Muscat. The reserve runs guided night and early-morning tours on its nesting beach, in small groups and with no lights or flash. Nesting happens through much of the year, with the busiest months in summer. We don’t run trips there, so check times and book directly with the reserve.

You can do both on one trip to Oman: swim with turtles at the Daymaniyat Islands from Muscat, then drive down the coast to Ras Al Jinz to see them nest.

Can beginners and children swim with turtles?

Father snorkelling in the open sea with his young child wearing a life jacket — You don’t need to swim well to see a turtle

Yes. You don’t need to be a strong swimmer: everyone gets a life jacket, which keeps you floating at the surface while you watch the reef below. The crew can help in the water where it is appropriate, and you can always stay on the boat and watch for turtles coming up to breathe.

Children of any age are welcome on our boat trips and stay with an adult at all times; children aged 3 to 12 pay the child price, and under-3s go free. Our family guide has more.

Photographing turtles

An action camera or a waterproof phone case works well, because the turtles are close to the surface. Keep the flash off, stay low and still, and let the turtle come past you rather than chasing it. On the full-day trip you can rent a GoPro for 12 OMR.

Frequently asked questions

Can you swim with turtles in Oman?

Yes. Around the Daymaniyat Islands, 25 to 30 minutes by boat from Seeb Marina in Muscat, green and hawksbill turtles are commonly seen while snorkeling, all year. They are wild, so sightings are never guaranteed.

Where can I swim with turtles near Muscat?

At the Daymaniyat Islands nature reserve, on a snorkeling trip from Seeb Marina. Our half-day trip runs all year, at 08:30 and 13:30.

Are turtle sightings guaranteed?

No. Turtles are commonly seen around the islands, but they are wild animals, so no trip can promise one.

Is the morning or the afternoon better for turtles?

Turtles are seen on both, in summer and winter, and neither time reliably has more. In summer the morning is cooler and the sea usually calmer.

Can I touch the turtles?

No. Never touch, chase, feed or ride a turtle. Float still, keep a few metres away and let it swim past.

Can I see turtles nesting at the Daymaniyat Islands?

No. The beaches are closed to everyone from May to October, when turtles nest, and there are no nesting or hatching tours on the islands.

Where can I see turtles nesting in Oman?

At the Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve near Sur, about three hours’ drive from Muscat, which runs guided night and early-morning tours. Book with the reserve directly.

Do I need to be a good swimmer to see turtles?

No. Everyone gets a life jacket, which keeps you floating at the surface, and you can also watch from the boat.