Visiting Daymaniyat Islands, Oman: 13 Things I Wish I Knew
If you’re planning a trip to Oman, visiting Daymaniyat Islands is one of those experiences that deserves a spot on your itinerary. My husband and I did a half-day tour in April, and it was one of those low-effort, high-reward days that makes travel feel easy. If you’re wondering what to know before visiting Daymaniyat Islands in Oman, this guide covers all the practical stuff. Trust me, visiting Daymaniyat Islands is worth it—and even more enjoyable if you know what to expect!
There are a few key things to know before visiting Daymaniyat Islands in Oman that will make your trip more enjoyable, especially if you’re hoping to catch a turtle sighting (or twelve). From the best time to visit to what kind of swimsuit to pack, I’ve got you covered. We saw turtles, reef fish, jellyfish (more on that later), and still had time to relax on the beach before lunch. Here’s everything to know before visiting Daymaniyat Islands so you can skip the stress and enjoy the sea.
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1. Where Are the Daymaniyat Islands?
The Daymaniyat Islands are a group of protected islands off the northern coast of Oman. Most tours for visiting Daymaniyat Islands leave from Al Mouj Marina in Muscat or Al Seeb, which makes it super convenient for a half-day or full-day trip. We left from Al Mouj and found the marina easy to navigate, with plenty of free parking. Our boat operator even sent a Google Maps pin ahead of time so we weren’t guessing where to meet. Make sure to download an eSim for your trip (we use Airalo) to help with navigating around Muscat!
2. How to Get to the Daymaniyat Islands
Unless you have your own yacht (in which case, please adopt me), you’ll need to book a boat tour. Access to the islands is regulated since they’re a protected nature reserve, so either join a tour or apply for your own permit if you’re somehow boating in privately. Tours are easy to book online and usually include permits, which makes your life a lot easier!
Recommended Tour: Daymaniyat Islands Snorkel Tour
3. Should I do a Half Day or Full Day Trip to Daymaniyat Islands?
Half-day was the perfect amount of time for us for visiting Daymaniyat Islands. We saw everything we wanted to see, swam with turtles, chilled on the beach, and still made it back by early afternoon. That gave us the rest of the day to do a bit more adventuring in Muscat without feeling rushed or fried from too much sun. You could do a full day tour if you have a bit of extra time in Oman – it includes an exclusive island setup that looked pretty cool!
4. Should I Visit Daymaniyat Islands in the Morning or Afternoon?
Morning, hands down. The seas are calmer, the marine life is active, and you reduce your chances of potentially getting seasick. Our 9am tour (we met at 8:30am) had us back by 1:30pm, and we had the rest of the day ahead of us.
5. When is the Best Time for Visiting Daymaniyat Islands?
November to April is ideal since the weather is cooler and more comfortable. We went in April and it was sunny, warm, and perfect for swimming.
From May to October, it’s turtle nesting season, which means no beach access. You can still snorkel, but I loved checking out the beaches and hiking a bit, so I’d personally aim for the non-nesting months.
If you want to spot whale sharks, aim for September or October.
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6. Typical Daymaniyat Islands Itinerary
We boarded our boat at Al Mouj Marina and had a smooth 45-minute ride out to the islands. For a half-day tour, you typically get two stops. Our first stop was the snorkeling site at what the captain called “The Big Island.” We swam with turtles here for nearly an hour, and it was overall a really fun snorkel experience.
After that, we cruised over to Police Island (named for the Ministry installation on it). We had about an hour here, which was plenty of time to hike up for views, relax on the beach, and do a bit more snorkeling. We split up our time and managed to do it all. It didn’t feel rushed, and the mix of swimming, exploring, and lounging was just right.
7. The Wildlife
Turtles: We came to the Daymaniyat Islands for the turtles, and they delivered. It wasn’t a matter of if you’d see one—but how many. They were curious and totally unbothered by humans, swimming right alongside us like we were just part of the reef. At one point I turned around and found a turtle basically drafting off me like I was its snorkel buddy.
Reef Fish: Besides the turtles, we saw tons of colorful reef fish while visiting Daymaniyat Islands. I’m always partial to butterflyfish and parrotfish, but there were dozens of species swimming by at any given moment. We didn’t spot any reef sharks, but they are known to hang out in the area. The coral itself wasn’t the most vibrant I’ve seen, but the abundance of marine life more than made up for it.
Jellyfish: We did see quite a few jellyfish, especially at the Big Island snorkel stop. The captain told us they didn’t sting, which my husband accidentally tested by floating straight through one. He was fine, so I guess the captain was telling the truth. I still kept my distance, but watching little reef fish snack on bits of jellyfish was weirdly entertaining.
8. What to Expect Snorkeling
Most boats provide snorkel gear, but I always bring my own mask, snorkel, and mask defogger. I like knowing my gear fits and won’t fog up the moment I hit the water. That said, I used the boat’s flippers and they worked great.
The water at the snorkel sites was calm, warm, and super clear. It’s deep, though, so don’t expect to stand anywhere. If you’re not a strong swimmer, ask the crew for a life jacket or bring an inflatable pool noodle. Lots of people in our group floated happily with some extra help.
9. What to Expect on Your Boat
We had 13 people on board, which seemed pretty standard when I looked at other boats visiting Daymaniyat Islands. The boat was comfortable enough for the 45-minute ride and had a small marine toilet, which I opted not to explore.
Our captain and first mate were friendly, spoke English, and kept the vibes fun with a great playlist. Our group had people from all over the world, and it made for a really fun, easygoing atmosphere.
10. What to Expect for Food
There’s no food or drink on the islands, so your boat is your kitchen. Ours had water, juice boxes (weirdly perfect after snorkeling), and snacks like bananas and chips.
We also had sandwiches for lunch with a bunch of options: chicken, ham, turkey, veggie, and roast beef. Nothing fancy, but it totally hit the spot after a morning in the water. Double check with your tour company to know what’s included.
11. What to Wear to Daymaniyat Islands
Oman is a conservative country, but the Daymaniyat Islands are full of tourists. I wore a bikini with a sun shirt and quick-dry shorts for a cover-up and felt totally comfortable. I’d avoid tiny bikini bottoms out of respect, but a regular two-piece seemed totally fine. Make sure to bring a hat and sunglasses!
Most women on our boat wore bikinis, and no one batted an eye. If you prefer a bit more coverage, a one-piece with a cover-up is a solid choice. Around the marina, make sure you’re dressed respectfully, especially if you’re popping into restaurants or shops afterward. We saw a few signs at cafes asking guests to be appropriately dressed, so it’s worth keeping a wrap or longer cover-up dress handy. Even if you don’t opt to wear the longer cover-up all day, I’d recommend keeping one in your bag – I did and it gave me piece of mind…just in case I might need it!
12. What to Bring to Daymaniyat Islands
Check out the list below for what to pack when visiting Daymaniyat Islands.
- Towel: Snag one from your hotel, or pack a quick-dry travel towel like we did. This really came in handy later in our trip for drying off after hiking and swimming through wadis!
- Sunscreen: Self explanatory…there’s no worse way to kick off a trip to Oman than with a sunburn.
- Sunglasses and hat: That Oman sun is no joke, so come prepared.
- GoPro: Or any waterproof camera to capture turtle close-ups. A cheap alternative is a waterproof phone case, but I truly think the photos come out so much better on a GoPro!
- Sturdy sandals or aqua shoes: Especially useful for the short but sandy and slightly slippery hike up Police Island. I saw plenty of people struggling in flimsy flip flops—don’t be one of them.
- Backpack or beach bag: The boat goes fast, and you don’t want your gear flying around. Ideally, I’d bring a waterproof bag since most folks put their bag on the deck of the boat, which will get wet.
- Extra sun shirt: I wear a Columbia sun shirt while snorkeling to avoid sunburn and then change into a dry one afterward…much more pleasant than hanging out in a wet one!
- Water and snacks: Just in case your boat doesn’t provide enough, better safe than snack-less.
- Snorkel Gear (optional): I brought my own mask and snorkel since I’m a little picky, though the boat definitely comes stocked. However, I would recommend bringing some mask defogger to ensure you can see out of the gear, whether you bring your own or use the boat supplies.
13. Are Daymaniyat Islands worth a visit?
In my opinion? Absolutely. Visiting Daymaniyat Islands was one of the most chill days we had in Oman, and the turtle encounters alone made it worth it!
My husband could take it or leave it. We’ve seen lots of turtles in the Caribbean and so he asked why we’d fly halfway around the world to see something we could find on a two-hour flight. (Hint: we didn’t fly to Oman only to see the turtles—we were there for a full eight days!) But for me—and pretty much everyone else on our boat—crystal blue water and curious turtles never get old.
Where to Stay in Muscat, Oman
Here are my recommendations on where to stay in Muscat, Oman for your day trip to Daymaniyat Islands:
- Kempinski Hotel Muscat for the most Instagrammable luxury hotel
- Intercontinental Muscat for the best hotel in the middle of Muscat
- Al Bustan Palace, Ritz Carlton for a hotel befitting royalty (it was built as a palace)
- The Chedi Muscat for a stylish hotel and Gulf of Oman views
- Shangri-La Al Husn for the best views & a private cove
Visiting Daymaniyat Islands was one of those rare days that felt both relaxed and exciting. Now that you know what to expect before visiting Daymaniyat Islands in Oman, you can go in prepped and ready to snorkel, swim, and chill like a pro. Book the tour, pack your towel, and prepare to be followed by a sea turtle or two!
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