Salalah’s hidden beach offers a quiet Khareef escape

While thousands of visitors flock to Al Mughsail and Fazayah during the Khareef season, a quieter stretch of coastline about 35 km east of Salalah is attracting growing interest as one of Dhofar’s lesser-known beach escapes.
The secluded cove can be reached only on foot or by 4x4 vehicles. It offers turquoise waters, limestone cliffs and a largely undeveloped setting with few visitors.
Local guides and adventure groups say visits to the beach have doubled this summer.
“It’s the anti-Khareef spot,” said Adhil Said Ajham Fadhil, a senior official at Salalah Municipality. “People come to Al Mughsail for the blowholes and selfies, as well as to hear the waves and nothing else.”
Reaching the beach is part of the adventure. Visitors drive for about 20 minutes along a gravel track from the coastal road before taking a 15-minute downhill hike through wild grass and frankincense trees. During Khareef, the surrounding hills turn green, while morning mist often rolls down from the cliffs.
At the bottom lies a 300-metre crescent of white sand bordered by cliffs rising about 40 metres. The water is generally shallow and calm in the morning, making it suitable for swimming, while local fishermen occasionally moor small boats in the cove during the afternoon.
With no facilities available, guides encourage visitors to follow a “leave no trace” approach.
“We bring out everything we bring in,” Fadhil said. “That’s why it’s still clean.”
Three factors are driving growing interest in the beach. Social media videos showcasing its emerald waters during Khareef have gained traction across the GCC, while travellers are increasingly seeking alternatives to crowded beaches during the June-to-September season.
The unpaved access road has also helped keep mass tourism at bay, preserving the beach’s secluded character.
The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism is reportedly studying the site as part of plans to develop low-impact ecotourism destinations in eastern Dhofar in 2027. For now, access remains informal and free.
Officials and local guides recommend visiting between 8 am and 2 pm, when the sea is generally calmer and conditions are favourable for photography. A 4x4 vehicle is recommended, particularly after rainfall, while visitors should be aware that there is no mobile phone coverage at the beach.
Swimmers are advised to watch for rocks and avoid the area during high tide. The access trail is also frequented by camel herds, making careful driving essential on the hilly track.
“You won’t find food trucks or music here,” said Fatima al Balushi, a tourist from Dubai who visited the beach last week. “You’ll find fog, goats on the cliffs and water that looks like it’s from Southeast Asia. That’s the point.”
With the Khareef season continuing until mid-September, tour operators expect the secluded beach to remain one of Salalah’s most talked-about yet least crowded destinations.
Environmental groups are calling for basic signage and waste bins to be introduced as visitor numbers increase, while avoiding overdevelopment that could undermine the site’s natural appeal.
With its turquoise waters, mist-covered green cliffs and sense of solitude, the beach is fast becoming one of the Dhofar coast’s best-kept secrets.