Oman Fjords: Khasab Dhow Cruise
Updated: 3 days ago
Cruises to Oman and the Emirates are exciting, adventurous excursions through opulent cities and Arabian landscapes plucked straight from storybooks. Cruise itineraries take passengers through Bahrain, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and several ports in Oman.
Below, this article explores the best Khasab Oman cruise excursions - dhow boat rides. Dhow boats are traditional vessels, now engine-powered, adorned with carpeting and pillows for a comfortable lounge cruise.
Taking visitors through the Oman Fjords at Musandam, cruise passengers get to spend the day dolphin watching, drinking Omani tea, marveling at natures wondrous Fjord formations, and perhaps swimming or snorkeling too.
I detail the basics for cruise ship passengers, along with some other useful first hand tips below.
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Khasab Musandam Cruise Port
Coming into Khasab is spectacular, given its monacre the "Norway of Arabia" for a reason. Cruise past the Musandam Fjords for tremendous views of mountain peaks and fascinating inlets, perfect for kayaking or taking the ever popular Khasab dhow boats.
Dhow boats are the primary offer in this port, although the port does have attractions like the Khasab Fort.
This is a great day for scenery and getting better acquainted with Omani hospitality.
To learn more about this Oman cruise port, dock information and more, visit Whatsinport.com.
Prepare for Your Day Touring the Oman Fjords
For a great day out, prepare in advance:
Modest but beachy attire for dhow cruises (consult my Dubai packing list for women to understand about the best outfits for a Middle Eastern adventure)
An early start to get out to the fjords
Make sure your camera is charged and ready (you'll need it!)
Bring a hat and sunglasses
Bring a dry change of clothes if you plan to swim
Arranging a dhow cruise in advance guarantees a great day in port. I recommend this half day cruise, which includes fruits and tea, a dolphin tour, and swimming opportunities.
Taking a Musandam Fjord Cruise
If you choose to take a ship tour or private tour (more on this below), follow your tour guidelines. Otherwise, hop off your cruise ship and head to the dock where many dhow boats will be parked, around 9am.
Most dhow cruise tours leave around 10am.
You can take a full day tour (six hours) or a half day tour (three hours). Many may wish to take the three hour tour in order to save time for the popular Khasab Fort or some local lunch.
Cruises often visit Telegraph Island and Seebi Island, and some even take passengers for overnight dhow trips. The overnight cruise may include a mountain safari and additional island exploration.
What to Wear on a Khasab Musandam Dhow Cruise
Wear beachy clothes good for breezes and lounging, or wear your bathingsuit if you would like to snorkel. Most dhow boats include snorkel gear and offer one or two stops for swimming opportunities.
It is important to continue respecting the conservative rules of the UAE and the rest of Oman, even though you are out to sea with tourists. Cover up when not in the water, and be mindful of showing too much skin inappropriately.
We visited in February, so I didn't swim but my husband did. He wore his bathingsuit and a t-shirt all day, while I wore a breezy tunic, casual pants and sandals.
I lost my favorite hat that day, too. The wind whipped it away went I looked over the edge at some dolphins. RIP brown hat.
Khasab Dolphin Tours
Dolphin tours in Khasab are not necessary to take separately, because they are naturally baked into the dhow boat experience. You'll see many dolphins during your boat ride - and they are so lovely!
They are smaller with different fins than the ones I am used to in Florida (where I live), and they were very friendly with the boats, following us along much of the way.
Food and Amenities Onboard a Dhow Boat
Most dhow cruises include a semi-buffet lunch (for full day tours) or fruits and tea for half day tours. The tea is traditional Omani style tea, and is quite enjoyable with dates, fruits and other typical snacks.
Onboard you will also find a toilet and changing area, along with water and most other items you may need for a day out on the water.
Have a Local Lunch in Port and Experience Omani Hospitality
After our boat ride my husband and I wanted to try a traditional Omani restaurant for lunch. I highly recommend Wadi Qada restaurant (now called Khasab Castle) in town. The service and food were both outstanding.
Ask to sit in the front room for traditional floor seating. It definitely amps up the experience!
If you didn't get to enjoy a proper Omani tea experience while in Muscat cruise port, be sure to order that when your meal is complete.
After our meal we planned to walk a very long couple of miles back to the ship, but the restaurant owners offered to drive us instead. They even let us stop at the Khasab Fort for a few minutes to take some photos!
Khasab Dhow Cruise Price
When we traveled (about six years ago, mind you), the MSC cruise excursion ran around $100. To get off the ship and haggle for your own dhow boat you should bring OMR (Omani Real) or AED (United Arab Emirates) money.
The cost nowadays is likely closer to $30-40 per person, whereas at the time we paid $15-25. If you prefer not to rough it/wing it, taking a private tour will also save you some money versus the cruise ship price, and it will be a little more relaxed.
Cruise ship excursions tend to be over packed with zealous tourists, versus the cruise my husband and I took - which was super laid back, with a few backpacker types and Europeans.
Here's a couple of tours that you may want to consider arranging in advance:
If you plan on taking a Middle Eastern Cruise, be sure to read up on my guides to Dubai and Muscat as well!
To browse cruises to Oman, check out Cruisedirect.com for deals.
