On the final stretch of road between Mahoot and the sleepy ferry terminal at Shannah, where rust-coloured boats line up to ferry travellers across the Arabian Sea to Masirah Island—a surreal scene slowly unfolds. Stretching out on either side of the road, like a dream half-remembered, are the salt flats of Shannah. Under the mid-morning sun, the crusted earth glows a brilliant white, mirage-like, shimmering against the cobalt blue of the sky. At first glance, it could be mistaken for snow—an illusion that leaves many first-time visitors momentarily speechless.
These glistening salt plains are the result of a centuries-old natural process. Periodically, seawater floods the shallow coastal flats and low-lying basins that make up the Shannah coast. The intense heat of the sun evaporates the water, leaving behind thick layers of pure salt to create this. In certain areas, hues of pale pink ripple across the surface, coloured by halobacteria—salt-loving microorganisms that thrive in this extreme environment, adding an otherworldly tint to the landscape.
Despite their dramatic beauty, the salt flats remain one of Oman’s best-kept secrets. Tourists often pass them by in their haste to reach Masirah’s windswept shores or kitesurfing spots. But for those who pause, the reward is a landscape that feels as if it’s from another planet. At sunrise and sunset, the play of light transforms the flats into a painter’s canvas, where every ripple of salt and shadow tells a story. It is truly a sight to behold.
But this shimmering landscape is more than a photo opportunity; it’s a place of quiet, enduring labour. Jahir, a salt collector whose daily work involves visiting these stunning but harsh terrains, collects the salt under the blazing sun. Jahir worked with a practiced rhythm, scooping crystalline salt into sacks and stacking them, ready to be packed into the back of a pickup truck when his day’s work is done.
“I collect every day,” he explained with a shy smile, each morning beginning before the heat sets in. He explains that he harvests around 20 kilograms of salt, all packed neatly into lined sacks. When he has enough sacks, he drives north to Muscat, where the salt is sold to local traders and shops. It’s physically demanding work, often overlooked and underappreciated, yet vital to sustaining a modest income.
Jahir’s story reflects a larger truth—that these salt flats are not just natural marvels, but working landscapes. They support a small community of labourers whose livelihoods are intimately tied to the rhythm of the tides and the heat of the desert. Their presence adds a layer of human resilience and dignity to this quiet corner of Oman.
As tourism to Masirah Island increases, there is a growing conversation around sustainability and responsible travel. The salt flats are ecologically sensitive and host seasonal migratory birds, including flamingos, herons, and plovers. Preserving their delicate ecosystem, while supporting the communities that depend on them, requires thoughtful planning and awareness.
For travellers willing to slow down and look beyond the road, the salt flats of Shannah offer something rare: a moment of stillness, a connection to nature’s quiet artistry, and a glimpse into the lives of people like Jahir, who keep ancient traditions alive with every scoop of salt.
This shimmering stretch of land, where the sea and sky meet the salt-crusted earth, reminds us that even the most unassuming places can hold stories worth telling.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
