Muscat: With cool breeze and the temperature in the late 20s to 30 degree Celsius, Al Ashakharah is a place to be if one is looking for a pleasant summer escape.
While the Gulf as a region is handling summer degrees at 45 degrees Celsius and above, Al Ashkharah is gaining popularity mainly for water adventures. Also, there are tourists who enjoy the place to watch the sunrises and sunsets.
Al Ashkharah, located in Al Sharqiyah South Governorate is about three and a half hours from Muscat and about 80 km from Ras Al Jinz. The fishing town gets regional and international tourists and is gaining momentum as a destination for camping and Eid al Adha holidays have proven so.
“It is a great place to go surfing be it is normal surfing or kite and wind surfing,” Rose Ebuen said.
The reason for this weather in summer is the Arabian Sea and the Southwest monsoon. The drizzle may not be there but the temperature is pleasant throughout the monsoon season.
So why is it cool?
The Expert at Oman Met Office explained that the Southwest Monsoon wind has a typical phenomenon- the up-welling resulting in pulling of the cold water from the deep end to the upper surface while the warm water moves toward offshore.
“Basically the South west wind makes makes all the coastal areas of the Arabian Sea cool during the summer period. And this means all the way from Dhalkout in Dhofar Governorate to Ras Al Had in Al Sharqiyah South Governorate,” explained the weather expert at Oman Met Office.
One of the popular places in Al Ashkharah for surfing is the Shipwreck Beach, in addition to Asilah Town. There are bays in Al Ashkharah that makes it further attractive for the beach enthusiasts. According to the surfers, waves could go up to 8 to 12 ft.
Al Ashkharah is part of the Wilayat of Jaalan Bani Bu Ali of the South Al Sharqiyah Governorate. While Sur, the place known for its historical dhow building industry is facing the summer heat, just few kilometres away from Al Ashkharah, in the Wilayat of Jaalan Bani Bu Ali of the South Al Sharqiyah Governorate is immersed in cool breeze.
Once in Al Ashkharah fishing is also an experience people look out for. But during the summer the sea is rough on the coast. The small boats are not used during during this period from June to September except for large vessels as the waves can be high, noted the weather forecaster.
According to the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MoHT) there are about 86 hotels in South Al Sharqiyah Governorate. All these features have made Al Ashkharah a destination for summer tourism.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
