Oman Diving: Scuba Diving in Daymanyiat Island (2024)

One of the primary motivations for my trip to Oman was to explore its stunning azure waters through diving. Oman boasts several remarkable dive spots suitable for divers of all levels. The ocean temperatures are pleasantly warm, and the clarity of the water is exceptional.

Including Oman diving in your scuba adventure wishlist is a must. Notably, snorkelling or scuba diving in Daymaniyat Island ranks among the top experiences when visiting Muscat.

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Oman Travel Resources

Best Time to Travel to Oman
Top 10 Things To Do in Muscat in One Day
Scuba Diving in Daymanyiat Island
Complete Guide to Wadi Shab Hike
Bucket List Accommodations: 5 Best Hotels in Muscat; Hotel Ramada Encore Muscat by Wyndham
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Rental Cars is the best car rental company to hire self-driven cars

Oman Diving

Oman offers a diverse array of dive sites, each captivating and unique in its own right. Diving in these spots is truly exceptional thanks to the pristine condition of its oceans. Here, you can encounter rich marine life, including turtles, cuttlefish, honeycomb moray eels, whale sharks, zebra sharks, and more.

While scuba diving in Oman is possible year-round, the optimal diving conditions are typically experienced between October and May. During these months, the ocean remains tranquil, resulting in smoother rides to the reserves compared to other times of the year.

Whale Shark Season – October.

About Daymaniyat Islands

Situated approximately 20 kilometres from the mainland of Muscat (Al Mouj Marina), Daymaniyat Islands are a protected nature reserve. This sanctuary serves as a habitat for turtles and honeycomb moray eels. Renowned as one of Oman’s most exquisite islands, the Daymaniyat Islands comprise a cluster of nine small isles.

Scuba Diving in Daymanyiat Island

Daymanyiat Island boasts numerous exceptional dive sites that are ideal for diving enthusiasts. With over 15 dive sites within the reserve, divers can explore clear waters teeming with diverse underwater life. Expect water temperatures ranging from 23 to 25 degrees Celsius, providing comfortable conditions for diving adventures.

Dive Site 1: Titto’s Run

Titto’s Run is considered slightly more challenging than other dive sites, adding to its allure for adventurous divers. This dive site features predominantly soft corals and offers a diverse array of marine life to discover, making it an exciting and captivating destination for underwater exploration.

Dive Statistics

• Type of Dive: Boat dive (Giant stride – But we had an option of back roll or getting down the ladder).
• Dive Site: Open Sea.
• Maximum Depth: 18 metres.
• Suitable for: Certified divers.
• Visibility: Around 12 to 15 metres. But the visibility was only 7 to 8 metres when I visited because of the strong currents.
• Wet Suit: Yes, 5 mm. The water is cold even though it is pretty warm on the surface.
• Current: Strong.

Marine Life

The dive site boasts abundant marine life, from turtles to zebra sharks, creating a vibrant underwater ecosystem. I encountered numerous lionfish, parrotfish, triggerfish, and angelfish during my dive. Additionally, other diving groups reported sightings of cuttlefish, turtles, and moray eels in this area. Excitingly, the dive centre staff informed me that they had previously spotted whale sharks in these waters.

Dive Site 2: Black Tip

The dive site boasts abundant marine life, from turtles to zebra sharks, creating a vibrant underwater ecosystem. I encountered numerous lionfish, parrotfish, triggerfish, and angelfish during my dive. Additionally, other diving groups reported sightings of cuttlefish, turtles, and moray eels in this area. Excitingly, the dive centre staff informed me that they had previously spotted whale sharks in these waters.

Dive Statistics

• Type of Dive: Boat dive (Giant stride – But we had an option of back roll or getting down the ladder).
• Dive Site: Open Sea.
• Maximum Depth: 25 metres. But we were advised to stay between 12 to 18 metres to get good visibility.
• Suitable for: Beginner and Certified divers.
• Visibility: Around 12 to 15 metres. But when I visited, the visibility was only 7 to 8 metres because of the strong currents.
• Wet Suit: Yes, 5 mm. The water is cold even though it is quite warm on the surface.
• Current: Mild (Occasionally Moderate).

Marine Life

This dive site quickly became my favourite due to the incredible variety of marine life I encountered. During my dive, I spotted a pipefish, a turtle, two cuttlefish, and impressive honeycomb moray eels. While not guaranteed, there’s a chance to glimpse blacktip reef sharks at a depth of approximately 12 meters.

Dive Centre

Mola Mola Diving Centre Muscat

I chose to dive with the Mola Mola Diving Centre at Al Mouj Marina. This PADI-affiliated dive centre offers daily excursions for diving or snorkelling to Daymaniyat or Fahal Islands.

My experience with Mola Mola Diving Centre was delightful. The staff members were amiable and accommodating, always ready to assist whenever needed. Throughout the dive, they ensured a seamless and pleasant experience. The equipment provided was in excellent condition, with no faults except for my mask, which occasionally fogged up despite using baby shampoo and rinsing it with fresh water.

Tip: Did you know that coffee power with a bit of baby shampoo and fresh water prevents the masks from fogging?

Whether the issue stemmed from the mask or insufficient cleaning on my part remained unclear. However, aside from this minor inconvenience, everything else exceeded expectations, contributing to a fantastic diving experience.

Cost of Diving with Mola Mola Diving Centre

The dive centre provides PADI-certified courses and recreational diving opportunities for certified divers. Being a PADI-Certified Rescue scuba diver, I chose recreational diving for my excursion.

The dive trip, comprising two dives, is priced at OMR 47 without equipment and OMR 59 with full equipment. Additionally, hiring a dive computer incurs an extra charge of OMR 3.

Is Oman Diving Safe for Solo Female Divers?

Absolutely! The staff members at the dive centre were incredibly kind and welcoming. I felt completely at ease and secure throughout the entire experience. They diligently ensured our safety on board and underwater, which was greatly appreciated.

Closing Notes

Despite encountering less-than-optimal visibility, I was thrilled to observe abundant marine life during my dive. Oman’s diving scene can pleasantly surprise you with its diverse array of marine species and captivating dive sites. My experience left me eager to return and further explore the ocean depths of Oman. Even for those not keen on scuba diving, Oman offers a picturesque setting for snorkelling and marine life observation.

Would I recommend Oman diving, particularly scuba diving, on Daymaniyat Island? Absolutely, unequivocally, yes! There’s no denying that Oman is one of the premier diving destinations worldwide. With its mesmerizing hues of blue and exceptional visibility, the dive sites in Oman are nothing short of stunning and breathtakingly beautiful.

PIN for later reference – Oman Diving