The Musandam (26deg.N-56deg.E), at the North-eastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, is overlooking the Straits of Hormuz. It is bordered to the west by the warm waters of the Arabian Gulf and to the East and South East by the vibrant and plentiful Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean.

Whether coming from Dubai or Muscat, as you pass by land and seascapes that have altered little over countless centuries, you will be following in the wake of seafarers who have plied these waters, trading and fishing, for over 5000 years. Here you can marvel at the stark beauty and breathtaking panoramas of the rugged coastal landscape, from the comfort of a new fleet of purpose built 45ft Fast boats operated by Al Boom diving.

For scuba divers, the deep drop offs and cool water upwelling provides an abundance of plankton, making this area a rich feeding ground for a large variety of marine life. Dolphins, Turtles, Reef sharks, Stingrays, Whale sharks, Barracuda & Sunfish plus all the usual reef fish and soft corals of the Indian Ocean have been seen. The visibility does not extend as much as in the Red Sea, but the abundance of sea life and the numerous species to be seen will fill your dive-log with wonders.

For birdwatchers, the Musandam is at the edge of the western Palaearctic, where you can see birds from three continents, including Ospreys, Herons, Cormorants & Terns.

Some of the dive sites we visit

Leema Rock – Approximately 50 minute boat ride from Dibba al Biya fishing port, lies this huge rock island close to the town of Leema. There are 3 places to dive here depending on currents/conditions and is suitable for all levels. The North side of the Island is the shallowest with depths ranging from 12m – 27m, lots of soft corals can be found including whip coral and different colored tree corals. There are swim through’s, small caves  and crevices to search for Lobsters and Morey eels. The East side of the Island is the deepest and is sheltered from an ebbing tide, depths range from 12m – 50m here and is a good place to see larger fish such as Yellow fin Barracuda, Trevalley, Pilot jacks and Wrasse. On a good vis day you can see right down onto the sand plateau at 50m and spot various sting rays sleeping on the sand and even zebra sharks if you are lucky.

Ras Leema – The protruding headland of Leema is usually dived in a minimal current which will let you drift along the steep wall and across a sloping sand & soft coral garden. Depths range from 14m – 40m+ and is an excellent place to see large fish. We have spotted Whale sharks, Eagle Rays, Whip Tail Rays, Zebra Sharks here and some very big Turtles over a meter long. The amount of soft coral is amazing and the dive finishes on a shallow reef at the headland full of Snappers and Fusiliers.

Ras Sanut – Another headland close to Leema this site can be dived on any tide and makes a great drift dive. There are huge boulders and swim through’s close to the headland which gets a maximum depth of 32m. When the current is running we have seen Eagle Ray’s Devil Ray’s, Giant Barracuda, Giant Trevalley, and Grey Reef Sharks. The point is a fascinating place to stay for a while and look up at the gardens of coral and schools of batfish. At the North side of Ras Sanut you will find a beautiful reef which starts at about 7m and continues for some distance, large flower corals, salad coral, soft anemones and flower coral are abundant as well as Lion fish, Puffer’s and Trumpet fish.

Khor Qabal – There are two sites at each entrance to this “Khor” and both are amazing sites. Very close to “Octopus Rock”, another popular site there is so much soft coral here its almost like diving in a garden underwater. The wall begins with max depth reaching 28m and continues along with large schools of Pick Handle Barracuda and Rabbit fish. There are some lovely purple sea fan’s and soft tree coral as you head towards the reef  and we have seen up to ten painted spiny lobsters on a single dive before. The dive ends up on a great reef where you can see turtles and stingrays before finally finishing in 5m of water where you can make a good safety stop on a large patch of sand.

Ras Sarkan – The first headland at the entrance to the famous “Khor Habalayn” or the fjords of the Middle east. Many diving opportunities here depending on conditions from Deep Drifts, to Wall Dives, depths tend to be greater here reaching 50m+ in places. Both Yellow Fin and Pick Handle Barracuda can always be found here in large schools pointing into the current which makes a great photo opportunity. We have seen Manta Rays, Eagle Rays, Grey Reef Sharks and Dolphins here as well as a myriad of other reef fish which include schools of Blackbarred Surgeonfish, Bicolour Parrotfish, Sweetlips, and Largescale Triggerfish.