Oman 3165: Steady Progress on a Scientific Voyage Around the Sultanate

The Oman 3165 Expedition, a 3,165 km journey by kayak around the coastline of Oman, continues to gather momentum as it moves steadily southward. The voyage began in Musandam and is gradually tracing the nation’s shoreline, combining exploration with environmental observation and learning opportunities for students following the journey from afar.
Marking a significant milestone in the expedition, explorer Mark Evans recently reflected on reaching Ras Al Hadd, describing it as a moment when “the kayak compass swings from heading 90 degrees east to 180 degrees south to the border with Yemen, still a long way off, but getting closer each day.” The headland, known as the most easterly point of the Arabic-speaking world, represents both a geographic turning point and a psychological marker in the journey.

Support for the expedition appears to come from a range of partners who share an interest in science, education and coastal heritage. Asyad Shipping has been highlighted as a key enabler, while academic, conservation and educational organisations connected to marine research and geography have been referenced across expedition updates. These contributions appear to support different aspects of the mission, from logistics and outreach to scientific collaboration.
The kayak in use, a custom-built Valley design marking fifty years since the original Nordkapp model, arrived in Oman shortly before the launch. Since then, it has carried the expedition through some of the country’s most dramatic coastal landscapes. Encounters with sea snakes, flying fish, turtles, octopus, ospreys and foxes have become part of the daily rhythm of travel, offering vivid insights into the biodiversity found along Oman’s northern and central shores.
Alongside the physical challenge, the kayak serves as a platform for collecting environmental observations. The expedition is towing a hydrophone to gather acoustic recordings and is also taking small water samples that may later help scientists understand more about the species present along the route. This work is expected to contribute to broader biodiversity research efforts supported by international teams.

Education remains a visible thread throughout the journey. Through online connections, classrooms in Oman and abroad have been joining occasional sessions to hear updates directly from the water. Students are being introduced to coastal wildlife, cultural landmarks and the science that accompanies the expedition, while a podcast series recorded along the route offers wider audiences a sense of the places, conditions and moments shaping the voyage.
As the kayak progresses beyond Musandam and further along the northern coastline past areas such as Suhar, the narrative becomes one of connection between people and place, and between Oman’s maritime history and contemporary scientific interest in its waters. Nights spent on beaches and in quiet wadis, combined with passing interactions with coastal communities, add depth to the unfolding story.
With each stage completed, the Oman 3165 Expedition continues to reveal new impressions of the country’s long and varied coastline. The observations gathered so far, whether scientific, educational or reflective, appear set to support a wider conversation about the value of Oman’s marine environment.
Ultimately, the voyage stands not only as a physical undertaking but as a measured exploration of Oman’s coastal character, highlighting the importance of understanding, documenting and preserving these waters for the future.