Dhofar: The Shaat viewpoint in the Wilayat of Rakhyout, Dhofar Governorate, has emerged in a new form, strengthening its position as one of the governorate’s prominent tourist destinations. A modern tourism project has added a unique experience to the area’s stunning natural landscape: a glass viewing platform offering visitors panoramic views of the mountain cliffs and the Arabian Sea from a towering elevation, where the blue sea meets the green mountains and the vast horizon.
Located on the slopes of Jabal Sajir within the al Qamar mountain range in Rakhyout, Shaat Overlook stands at an elevation of more than 1,000 metres above sea level. It is approximately 80 kilometres from Salalah along the main road connecting Salalah with the Wilayats of Rakhyout and Dhalkout
The new project gives the site a distinctive tourism dimension, featuring a glass viewing platform measuring 10 metres long and 12 metres wide, in addition to viewing decks, seating and rest areas, pedestrian paths, parking spaces, service facilities, retail areas, a children’s playground and an open-air amphitheatre. Together, these facilities provide visitors with an integrated experience combining nature with essential tourism services.
The glass platform is designed to allow visitors to stand above the natural landscape and enjoy unobstructed panoramic views of the sea and mountains. The experience combines excitement, contemplation and photography, at a time when Dhofar is witnessing growing interest in natural destinations that combine geographical attractions with modern tourism facilities.
Ahmed bin Saeed Baqi, owner of Sajir Investment, the company that implemented the project, said the glass platform was constructed in accordance with a range of engineering and technical requirements. These included structural and environmental studies, load and wind analysis, safety assessments and risk management, as well as soil testing before construction and testing of the steel structure and glass panels following installation.
He added that the structure underwent a 40-tonne load test, while the glass consists of three layers with a total thickness of 43 millimetres. These measures, he stressed, were aimed at ensuring the durability of the structure, the safety of visitors and an enjoyable tourism experience.
Baqi explained that the glass platform was developed in line with a vision by Dhofar Municipality, the project owner, to make use of the unique natural characteristics of Shaat and provide visitors with a new experience combining scenic beauty with safety and quality standards.
The choice of a glass design was intended to provide visitors with an open field of vision and allow them to experience the natural landscape from a different perspective, enhancing the site’s appeal and adding a distinctive feature to Dhofar’s tourism destinations.
The project has also provided a range of facilities and services aimed at improving visitor comfort and organising movement throughout the site. Baqi said the development was designed as an integrated project incorporating infrastructure, tourism facilities, viewing areas and rest spaces, noting that the strong turnout since its opening demonstrates the importance of developing such natural destinations and supports efforts to boost tourism and economic activity in Rakhyut and Dhofar.
The visitor experience at Shaat extends beyond the glass platform, with dedicated spaces for productive families offering Omani food and products, as well as frankincense, perfumes and handicrafts. This adds an economic dimension to the destination by supporting local products and small businesses.
The new overlook has attracted large numbers of visitors since its opening. Data published by Dhofar Municipality in early August indicated that the site had received more than 50,000 visitors. Entry to the glass platform is organised in groups of no more than 30 people for a specified period, helping manage visitor flow and enhance safety.
The development of Shaat Overlook reflects a broader approach to utilising natural attractions to create new tourism experiences while preserving the character of the location. In 2025, Dhofar Municipality announced the implementation of the second phase of the overlook’s development, which included rest areas, public facilities, viewing points, parking spaces, landscaping and beautification works, at a total cost exceeding OMR 1 million.
With the project now taking shape, Shaat Overlook stands out as a tourism destination that combines natural beauty with innovative design, offering visitors to Dhofar a distinctive experience that places them at the heart of the landscape. Visitors can stand on the glass platform, with the depths of the mountains beneath their feet and the Arabian Sea stretching before them, surrounded by the green mountains of Dhofar during the Khareef season.
Shaat Overlook is also considered one of the governorate’s favoured photography locations, thanks to its expansive panoramic views and diverse terrain and landscapes.
Through the development of destinations such as Shaat, Dhofar continues to diversify its tourism offering and create attractions capable of drawing visitors from across Oman and abroad, supporting tourism and economic activity while aligning with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040 to develop the tourism sector and harness the natural and cultural assets of Oman’s governorates.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
