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Written By Arabiers Digital & Reviewed by Robeena Brown
09 February 2026 | 13 min read
After few hours drive from the busy city of Dubai, you can reach to the one of the most iconic natural landscape of the Arab world, Musandam peninsula. Musandam peninsula is an exclave of the Oman which is surrounded by United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Strait of Hormuz. Musandam peninsula has beautiful natural settings, limestone cliffs, fjord-like inlets, clear water and many. This natural environment make you feel you entered to a world that does not belong to the other parts of Arabian gulf or mega cities/crowdy areas.
The Musandam is also described as the “Norway of Arabia”, and it has become one of the most famous location for Dubai dwellers as well as tourist to escape a little bit from day to day hectic lifestyle and have a rest. Even though, Musandam is located from the proximal distance from the mega city “Dubai” there are some challenges you must face to enter the Musandam. If you are a citizen of UAE or else if you are an international traveler, you must cross internationally borders while entering to Musandam. And also, you may have to show your visa/passport and documents related to driving license and etc.
Musandam can be considered as the exclave of Oman as it is geographically separated area from rest of the Oman and the between rest of the Oman and Musandam, UAE situated. The peninsula was located near to the Strait of Hormuz, one of the major ship line of the globe. However, if you visit the Musandam, you will witness how clam and quiet the location is.
Coastal geography of Musandam make it unique from other destinations of middle east and most of the world. You can observe the deep inlets and coastal line carved into those. And Rocky Mountains that go directly into the sea in very narrow steeps. These natural fjords generate a good atmosphere for the activities like boating, snorkeling and marine life.
Khasab is the main town there and it`s a tourism hub. Majority of dhow cruises, mountain safaris are based on this. While staying this city ,travelers are getting involved to explore the coral reefs, abandoned fishing villages , and historical land marks like Telegraph island and etc. For travelers interested to geography and biodiversity, the natural fjords in this area making a research field.
Musandam is located around 200 km away from Dubai and it take around 2-3 hours to reach Musandam via road. Al Dhara / Khatmat Malaha border is the famous border where many travelers entering to the Musandam.
Organized tours are the convenient option for many first-time travelers. These organized tours are usually included following components. Those include hotel pick up and drop off from Dubai, Visa Assistance, transportation via air-conditioned buses, lunches, refreshments, dhow cruise and giving snorkeling opportunities. To make your journey comfortable you can join with Arabiers` guided tours also and can select a suitable Musandam tour package from Arabiers .
Self-driving offers freedom to you and your family or friends, but however extra burden comes up with this like vehicle related documentation, insurance necessity and related documentation near the international border. This option most convenient to Dubai/UAE residents as well as to experienced travelers who previously did the cross border travelling.
Going through the Border is easy to if you have proper documents and however, it will be a hard task/ even entry will be denied if you do not have proper documents like Visas/passport.
If you are self-driving and not a organized tour, you should have cash and debit/credit card to pay the UAE exit pay and Oman visa free if it is necessary as per your nationality.
After you are crossing the border, you will have different experiences. In the highways, you will pass winding coastal areas, fjord-like inlets and different shaped mountains that connected with sea with narrow steeps.
Most of organized tours directly targeting to Khasab port where traditional wooden dhows are looking forward for tourists.
The dhow cruise is the major part of most Musandam guided tours.
It`s generally included cruise that navigate full day, buffer, soft drinks, life jackets and also snorkeling equipment.
You will witness towering cliffs and critical fjords, and fishing villages which are located remotely from the shore and can be accessed only by boats, coral reefs, colorful fish, and also dolphins. You can do swimming and snorkeling on the bays if you like.
Khasab Castle: This is a 17th century fortress built by Portuguese and it`s important witness those architecture there and historically an important place.
Telegraph Island: You can witness this small rocky island there and this is a hotspot for photographers. This is historically very important as connected some tele communication projects of British people in 1800`s .
If you like you can go mountain Safari, Jebel al Harim, Musandam`s highest peak will give magnificent views if you can able to reach there.
Bassa Beach: It`s a popular beach which is open to public, located in Khasab and it`s suitable for activities like swimming and camping.
Khor Najd: This is a famous viewpoint, and this offer beautiful sightings of the sea and the surrounding mountains.
Wadi Gumda: This is a place connected to traditional lifestyle, Bedouin and it is widely made from rocks.
Al Halla Park: This is a green space in Khasab and ideal for have a rest amidst your exciting journeys.
You should make sure that you are not overstaying in Musandam despite the fact how calm, quiet, and enjoyable the journey. If the duration of your UAE visa exceed, you will be fined.
Yes, you can. But reentry rules are differ as per your Visa type.
October to March is the ideal and relatively cool temperature. April to May is hot, but you can manage. June to August, extremely hot, but some travelers come this time to do water sports.
Yes, it can be considered as one of the safest places in Oman.
Yes, you need, and we recommend to do so.
Musandam will give you something rare in the Arabian world. It is beauty of the nature without human interventions, calmness, quietness, and the tranquility with beautiful sightings of the sea.