Is a Musandam Day Trip from Dubai Worth It? Full Experience Review

The short answer we can give is “Yes—but not for everyone.” It depends on the travelers’ expectations, their resilience to road timing, and the travel experience they need. This is ideal for busy professionals, families, and solo travelers who seek a leisurely time, tranquility, and escape from busy city life. But Musandam is not that suitable for thrill seekers, etc.

The calm and quiet environment in Musandam is a medicine for your busy life, and the slow-paced lifestyle there adds difference to your daily life and provides an ideal opportunity to recharge your mind.

Arabiers Holidays UAE, the best travel agency in the  UAE,, also offers Musandam tour packages. 
 

As an exclave from Oman, Musandam has a unique geographical structure. This means fjord-like khor structures, rocky cliffs, etc. A dhow journey through fjords is marvelous and a memorable experience. And you can witness crystal-clear seawater, etc. Dolphin sightings are another reason for Musandam’s popularity. 

There is good weather to engage in popular activities like snorkeling and swimming. And the isolated fishing villages, with their related unique culture, make Musandam a magnet for tourist attraction. And the Musandam journey is relatively more cost-efficient than many other places while providing a unique travel experience to your lives.

The  Travel Time

For the Musandam tour or any other tour, travel time is one of the deciding factors to determine whether that tour can be done or not. For a Musandam day trip from Dubai, it takes around 3-4 hours to drive there and around 3-4 hours to come back. At the Oman border, there is a visa passport checking procedure, etc. Usually, organized day tours start around 6 am in the morning. For travelers with children, that time can be a challenge.

Border Crossing Considerations

As you are entering the Oman border, you must face the passport visa checking, waiting times, etc. As this is an international border, those checking are mandatory. If you are coming to the border in a peak season or holiday, you must wait in some queues to get this Oman entry procedure done. A long drive can be boring to you if you do not consider it as a part of the Musandam journey. For Musandam tour from Dubai, many international tourists should have awareness of visa procedure, etc.

First Feeling After Reaching to Khasab 

After passing skyscrapers and concrete jungles in Dubai, you can reach the Oman border. After passing the Oman border, you reach the Musandam peninsula. While passing fjord-like structures, you eventually reach Khasab, the administrative city of the area. After getting off from your vehicle, you witness natural beauty there. Calmness, quietness, and tranquility are everywhere. You can witness less traffic, less noise, and a remarkable sense of calmness. These characteristics contrast with the busy city of Dubai.

The Dhow Cruise Experience

In almost all Musandam day trips, the dhow cruise experience is one of the main experiences every traveler goes through. These wooden vessels are slow and better for calm and quiet sightseeing. These vessels typically include cushion seating areas or carpets and shaded decks. And also, the dhow cruise journey is intentionally converted to a very slow one, and you can enjoy it peacefully.

Taking Photographs While Journeying Via Dhow Ship

The scenario there is so photogenic, and you can take beautiful photographs. Rising rocky cliffs from the sea, narrow fjord inlets, and blue sky make an ideal background to have photos. Even people who do not have a special likeness to get photos tend to get photos in this natural beauty.

Dolphin Sightings

In the Musandam dhow cruise experience, dolphin sightings are not rare, but not guaranteed either. Dolphins are seen emerging from the sea and swimming along with dhows at times. If you are a first-time visitor to Musandam, this will be a remarkable memory for you. However, keep in mind that, like the behavior of all wild animals, dolphin sightings are not guaranteed.

Swimming and Snorkeling Stops

All dhow cruises typically stop at one or two bay areas to swim and snorkel. The water is calm, and even an entry-level swimmer can get those experiences due to the tranquility of the water. Snorkelers can enjoy the water near the rocky cliffs, and they are delighted by witnessing reef fish populations. Even though, Musandam does not have world-class big coral reefs, it does have coral reefs and provide the habitats for fish, etc.

Foods and Beverages

You should not have expectations about the luxury foods. Foods are modest and are typically served in buffet settings. Grilled items like fish, rice, and salad items are typically served. Soft drinks and water. If you are judging foods, you feel that foods are at a modest level.



Anyway, foods are not a main highlight in this journey, and simple foods are more than sufficient for you while experiencing this different environment.

The Return Journey: The Toughest Part

While it is true that overall experience in Musandam is relaxed, with minimal noise and simple things without busy scheduling. As you stayed a full day under the sun, swimming and doing various activities, you feel fatigue now for the return journey to Dubai. Especially you feel uncomfortable about the long-hours road trip. As per the views of many travelers, this is the toughest part of the journey.