Visitors make a beeline to beaches

SALALAH: The beaches of Dhofar Governorate witness vibrant tourist activity during the Khareef Dhofar Season, offering ideal spots for relaxation, fishing and natural exploration. These beaches cater to visitors seeking enjoyable experiences in the open air, both during the Khareef and throughout the year.
Al Dahariz Beach, overlooking the Arabian Sea with its soft white sands, is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Wilayat of Salalah. This long, white sandy beach is surrounded by towering and picturesque coconut trees, making it a popular destination for families to enjoy leisure time and various water activities.
Spanning over 3,500 square metres, the beach offers numerous amenities, including restaurants, cafés, barbecue areas and public facilities. Nearby lies the Al Dahariz Lagoon Reserve (Khor Al Dahariz), rich in wildlife, featuring dense vegetation, diverse fish species and migratory birds such as flamingos and ibises.
Al Dahariz Beach has been designed with family-friendly tourism in mind, featuring well-lit walkways, parking areas, pedestrian paths and seating arrangements that enhance its night-time ambiance.
Located about 40 kilometres west of Salalah, Al Mughsail Beach is one of Dhofar’s most famous tourist attractions, favoured by citizens, residents and visitors alike. It boasts a long stretch of blue waters and white sands, along with stunning natural scenery and unique natural fountains. Nestled between mountain ranges, the beach offers a distinctive natural backdrop.
Given the pleasant Khareef weather, Al Mughsail Beach welcomes visitors throughout the day to enjoy its scenic beauty and the roaring waves of the Arabian Sea, which peak during the Khareef Dhofar Season. Swimming is prohibited from June 21 to September 21 each year due to high waves.
Eftalquot Beach, overlooking the Arabian Sea, features an elevated plain atop rolling hills — a green expanse stretching about three kilometres. Visitors can admire the beach, dotted with rocks and green hills, from a higher vantage point, making it a favourite spot for photographers and nature enthusiasts.
In the Wilayat of Taqah, the beach extends over five kilometres, known for its soft silver sands and coconut trees lining the coastal road. Khor Rori Beach serves as a natural extension of Taqah’s shoreline and is strategically located near the archaeological site of Samahram, a historically significant landmark in Dhofar. This beach lies directly by the ancient port of Samahram, once a major hub for exporting Omani frankincense worldwide.
Taqah is a coastal wilayat with diverse natural attractions, including beaches, plains, mountains, numerous caves, Khor Taqa, Khor Rori and several natural springs.
In the eastern part of Dhofar, the Wilayat of Mirbat stands out for its coastal location along the Arabian Sea, featuring varied beaches, coral reefs and captivating bays. Located about 76 kilometres from Salalah, Mirbat is one of the governorate’s key historical and tourist cities.
Mirbat Beach is renowned for its natural beauty, silver sands, coral rocks and small inlets locally known as 'Khiyas', which are rich in fish and coral reefs, making it a prime diving destination in Oman.
Mirbat experiences steady tourist activity year-round, especially during Khareef and weekends, as visitors come for fishing, relaxation, natural beauty and exploring historical sites and old neighborhoods, along with observing coral reefs and sea waves due to its rare marine biodiversity.
Among Mirbat’s most prized marine catches are abalone (sea ear) and spiny lobster, with abalone found exclusively along the coasts between Mirbat and the Niyabat of Sharbathat in the Wilayat of Shaleem and Al Hallaniyat Islands.
Additionally, the beaches of Fizayah, the main Rakhyout Beach, Shuwayb Beach and Al Hoota Beach in the Wilayat of Rakhyout are among the most stunning natural beaches, known for their unique charm and serene atmosphere, especially during the Khareef when they are adorned with misty skies and breathtaking views. These beaches feature soft white sands and crystal-clear waters. — AFP