Diving in Oman?

[Gizmo]

Had a bit of search through the forums and didn't find too many reports from Oman, ( found a recommendation from Bren from Dec 02)so I thought I would pose the question here.

What are your recommendations for diving in Oman? I hear the Daymaniyat Islands are worth a visit.

The plan is to travel out to Muscat in Feb/March time to meet with family coming in from other parts of the Middle east, would appreciate some recommendations for dive sites and centres/boats to go with.

NeilB your profile says you are in Muscat, I implore you for your input

Thanks
Mark

[Simon TW]

If you check out the free holiday thread in surface interval you will see that it is posted by NeilB who lives and dives in Oman, I cannot think of a better person to ask as one who lives there.
http://www.yorkshire-divers.co.uk/fo...ad.php?t=10177

Here's a link to make it easy for you, I'm such a nice chap!

[Gizmo]

If you check out the free holiday thread in surface interval you will see that it is posted by NeilB who lives and dives in Oman, I cannot think of a better person to ask as one who lives there.
http://www.yorkshire-divers.co.uk/fo...ad.php?t=10177

Here's a link to make it easy for you, I'm such a nice chap!

You are quite right, I am waiting patiently for him to impart some local knowledge, and maybe a plug or two!!

[Mr T.]

Aye,

Neil Bedwin's your man for Oman!

We hooked up with him coupla years back when we went out for a two week dive fest. Simply top diving!

The D Islands (we did them out of a resort called Al Sawadi) are superb, as is Bandar Karan. Neil's right on the spot in Muscat and is easily the best source for any adive on the diving, accom and nightlife.

Apart from having a wickedly dry sense of humour, he also cooks a mean feast!

Enjoy and good luck. Recommended!

[Brass Monkey]

or any adive on the diving, accom and nightlife.

Come on Bren unless Mark has very deep pockets (and easily pleased) I would forget the nightlife. Great diving though, do it now Mark while it's still un spoilt. They are building along the coast and wanting to attract more tourists so it's only a matter of time before the quality of diving starts to decline.


Dave.

[Gizmo]

Great diving though, do it now Mark while it's still un spoilt. They are building along the coast and wanting to attract more tourists so it's only a matter of time before the quality of diving starts to decline.


Dave.

Do you think they will have destroyed it all by March? At the moment we are planning sometime in the first quarter of next year. I understand it should be a nice time of year to visit, not desperately hot but hot enough to be classed as blue water diving.

[Mr T.]

Do you think they will have destroyed it all by March? At the moment we are planning sometime in the first quarter of next year. I understand it should be a nice time of year to visit, not desperately hot but hot enough to be classed as blue water diving.

Hey Gizmo,

When dived in August - water = 36'C a air temp = 46'C: 2mm shorties were order of the day.

Speak to Neil for first quarter 2005 sea/air temps.

And Oman will take soooooooooo long to resemble anything like Sharm that you've absolutely no worries about it being a building site.

[Neil M]

bump...

Has anyone else been to Muscat?? any thoughts or recomendations??

We are looking at it for a family hol next year? - what kind of life is there on the dives..

And is it good wide angle diving, or is macro better??

Cheers
Neil

[Paul Oliver]

Gizmo

Try having a look through the reports on this link to the BSAC Travel Club. Quite a few reports on there including one from Niel Bedwin (3rd one down).

Enjoy

http://ss105.fusionbot.com/cgi-bin/s...tenbr=57101421

[Gizmo]

Quite a few reports on there including one from Niel Bedwin (3rd one down).

Paul - I have been lucky enough to meet the man in person and hear first hand reports and experience it myself especially his family's excellent rooftop BBQs.......

NeilM, Mate Oman is definitely worth a trip for diving and the culture, we went over in January and had a great time there. We ended up staying at Alsawadi Beach Resort which is an hour north of Muscat and dived with them and also Oman Dive Center who are in Muscat. We did have planned a day to go out with Neil and his BSAC group but unfortunately the weather binned the launch of the RIB for us.

I put a trip report up on my website going through the dives we did
http://www.thegilmours.net/Oman%20Dive%20Reports.htm

There are also some pictures in the Picture Gallery section of our website. http://gallery.thegilmours.net/ click on The Picture Gallery and then diving pics.


We are hoping that we can go back some time soon, it really is a great place. From speaking with the guides etc April - May or Sept-Oct is a great time to go as the weather is lovely and hot but not too hot.

Mark