Why It’s Timeto Put the Spotlight on Oman’s Al Hallaniyat Islands

At first glance, the Al Hallaniyat Islands do not seem designed for modern tourism. There are no resorts rising from the shore, no beach clubs and no crowds of influencers at a single viewpoint. Reaching them takes effort, the sea can be rough, phone signal fades and even many Omani residents have never been.
Yet this is exactly why the Al Hallaniyat Islands may be one of the most compelling destinations in Oman today.
Located around 40 to 50 kilometres off the Dhofar coast in the Arabian Sea, the Al Hallaniyat archipelago sits scattered across open water, with Al Hallaniyah as the only inhabited island. The group has quietly gained attention among divers, sailors and expedition travellers as one of the region’s last truly remote marine frontiers.

Online, interest is growing not through marketing campaigns but through word of mouth. Travel reels show dramatic cliffs, pods of dolphins cutting through turquoise waters and campsites under skies untouched by light pollution. Comments often repeat the same reaction: “I had no idea Oman looked like this”.
The appeal lies in how untouched the islands still feel. Unlike heavily developed destinations in the region, Al Hallaniyat remains raw and exploratory. One diving publication described it as “untouched and undiscovered”, while visitors often note the striking absence of other vessels at sea, creating a rare sense of isolation.
For marine enthusiasts, the waters are especially significant. The surrounding area is considered an important habitat for the Arabian Sea humpback whale, one of the world’s rarest whale populations, with Dhofar and Al Hallaniyat Bay identified as key feeding and breeding grounds.
This richness in marine life has become a growing attraction for travellers. Fishermen and tour operators regularly report sightings of spinner dolphins, Risso’s dolphins and humpback whales, while divers have also documented orcas in the region. The islands are increasingly seen as one of Oman’s most active marine ecosystems.

Divers who visit often speak less about comfort and more about atmosphere. In online forums, one traveller described the sea life as “very interesting and varied” and said they “loved the trip”, while others highlight Oman’s wider appeal as a place of uncrowded and authentic nature.
Yet Al Hallaniyat is not only about nature. Beneath its waters lies a major archaeological discovery. In 1503, the Portuguese ship Esmeralda, part of Vasco da Gama’s fleet and commanded by Vicente Sodré, sank near Al Hallaniyah during a storm. Centuries later, the wreck was rediscovered, yielding thousands of artefacts, including one of the world’s oldest known mariner’s astrolabes.
This discovery adds another layer to the islands’ identity, linking them to centuries of maritime exploration, trade and survival.
Travelling to Al Hallaniyat still requires planning. Most journeys begin in Salalah before continuing along Dhofar’s coastline to fishing towns such as Hasik, Shaleem, or Al Shuwaymiyah, where boats can be arranged. Visitors may join liveaboard diving expeditions or camp on organised trips, while accommodation is usually based on the mainland in Salalah, Mirbat, or nearby towns.

The Hallaniyat Islands Nature Reserve is now also under stricter protection following Decision No 56/2026 by the Environment Authority. Entry requires permits, fishing has been limited to local residents and new rules regulate anchoring, net use and visitor activity to protect fragile marine ecosystems.
In an age of overexposed destinations, that difficulty is part of the appeal.
While much of Oman is now associated with wadis, mountains and desert camps, Al Hallaniyat represents a different landscape altogether: quieter, wilder and less defined by tourism infrastructure. It is a place travellers recommend not for convenience, but for discovery.
At a time when so much of the world feels documented before arrival, the Al Hallaniyat Islands remain one of the rare places where visitors still leave with the feeling that they have found something hidden.