Salalah is a beautiful place with lots of variety in landscape. Subhan Allah! These variations include beaches, mountains, sinkholes, sand dunes and caves. Although there are many caves in Salalah, the one on the western side, Marneef Cave is the most popular one. It is the most visited place in Dhofar, along with Wadi Darbat, which is on the other side of Salalah.
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Marneef Cave
Marneef cave is in close proximity to Al Mughsail Beach, which one of the most preferred picnic spot by Salalah locals, residents and tourists alike. They plan picnic at the beach and cave site on the weekends and on the evening throughout the year. The exception is the khareef season, where this is a spot full with locals, and visitors anytime of the day.
As per wikipedia, the definition of a cave is “A cave or cavern is a hollow place in the ground, especially a natural underground space large enough for a human to enter”.
There are two kinds of caves in Arabic language – Ghar (غار) and Kahf (الكهف). The former one is a small cave, while the later one is the larger one. Marneef is Al Kahf, due to its size.
A Similar Cave is mentioned in the Holy Quran
Interestingly, there is one chapter in The Holy Quran which is named as Al-Kahf, i.e. The Cave. The cave that is mention in Quran is not Marneef Cave but this cave and the one mentioned has some similarities. When I visit this cave, this reminds me of the story of the companions of the cave.
This name is given to this chapter of the Holy Quran due to the mention of the story of the young people who went to live in cave. Their migration from the city to the cave was to safe themselves from converting from their monotheistic religion to the prevalent polytheistic religion.
18:9 Or have you thought that the companions of the cave and the inscription were, among Our signs, a wonder?
18:10 [Mention] when the youths retreated to the cave and said, “Our Lord, grant us from Yourself mercy and prepare for us from our affair right guidance.”
18:11 So We cast [a cover of sleep] over their ears within the cave for a number of years.
18:12 Then We awakened them that We might show which of the two factions was most precise in calculating what [extent] they had remained in time.
18:13 It is We who relate to you, [O Muḥammad], their story in truth. Indeed, they were youths who believed in their Lord, and We increased them in guidance.
18:14 And We bound [i.e., made firm] their hearts when they stood up and said, “Our Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth. Never will we invoke besides Him any deity. We would have certainly spoken, then, an excessive transgression.
18:15 These, our people, have taken besides Him deities. Why do they not bring for [worship of] them a clear evidence? And who is more unjust than one who invents about Allah a lie?”
18:16 [The youths said to one another], “And when you have withdrawn from them and that which they worship other than Allah, retreat to the cave. Your Lord will spread out for you of His mercy and will prepare for you from your affair facility.”
18:17 And [had you been present], you would see the sun when it rose, inclining away from their cave on the right, and when it set, passing away from them on the left, while they were [lying] within an open space thereof. That was from the signs of Allah. He whom Allah guides is the [rightly] guided, but he whom He sends astray – never will you find for him a protecting guide.
18:18 And you would think them awake, while they were asleep. And We turned them to the right and to the left, while their dog stretched his forelegs at the entrance. If you had looked at them, you would have turned from them in flight and been filled by them with terror.
18:19 And similarly, We awakened them that they might question one another. Said a speaker from among them, “How long have you remained [here]?” They said, “We have remained a day or part of a day.” They said, “Your Lord is most knowing of how long you remained. So send one of you with this silver coin of yours to the city and let him look to which is the best of food and bring you provision from it and let him be cautious. And let no one be aware of you.
18:20 Indeed, if they come to know of you, they will stone you or return you to their religion. And never would you succeed, then – ever.”
18:21 And similarly, We caused them to be found that they [who found them] would know that the promise of Allah is truth and that of the Hour there is no doubt. [That was] when they disputed among themselves about their affair and [then] said, “Construct over them a structure. Their Lord is most knowing about them.” Said those who prevailed in the matter, “We will surely take [for ourselves] over them a masjid.”
18:22 They [i.e., people] will say there were three, the fourth of them being their dog; and they will say there were five, the sixth of them being their dog – guessing at the unseen; and they will say there were seven, and the eighth of them was their dog. Say, [O Muḥammad], “My Lord is most knowing of their number. None knows them except a few. So do not argue about them except with an obvious argument and do not inquire about them among [the speculators] from anyone.”
The above verses of the Holy Quran are translated from Arabic to English by Saheeh International. You can read more about this surah (chapter of the Holy Quran) and its English translation at Quran.com
A Little Walk from the Car Park
The cave is at an altitude of around 3 to 4 meters from the parking area. Good for the visitors, that the walkway has both the stairs and paved ramp for easy access of wheel chair and kid’s stroller.
Sit Down Under the Shade of the Cave
There are many benches under Marneef cave, where tourists can sit, relax and capture the breathtaking views of the Mughsail Beach and the Blowholes. It’s definitely a nice place to sit under the shade as well, on the sunny days. Also, in khareef season that is in July and August each year, you can protect yourself from the mist by sitting under the cave.
Recommended Read: Complete Details About the Khareef Season in Salalah
The way to the Blowholes
Once you get to the cave, the blowholes are 5 to 6 meters away from there. Once again, you will find both the stairs and ramp to get there. For a healthy person, this small walk wouldn’t be a concern.
There are around 50+ steps in the stair (didn’t count, just an estimate). In the below photograph, the steps are visible.
A perfect perfect view of this cave is when you go down to the blowholes and see on the return. The complete gigantic cave will be in sight and will be a perfect place to view and admire the creation of God.
Al Mughsail Blowholes
At a stone’s throw away from the Marneef Cave are three impressive blowholes (know as Al-Mughsayl Blowholes due to proximity to Al-Mughsail / Al Mughsayl Beach). They are also referred as Mughsail Natural Fountains by the tourists.
As per wikipedia, the definition of the blowhole is “a blowhole is formed as sea caves grow landwards and upwards into vertical shafts and expose themselves towards the surface, which can result in blasts of water from the top of the blowhole if the geometry of the cave and blowhole and state of the weather are appropriate.”
These three entertaining blowholes have meshes over them. When the sea is slightly rough, sea water explodes into the air through these holes in the rock, which are just above the sea. The water jet from the blowholes vary according to the season, but can get as high as 28m in the sky in Khareef season.
There are three viewing galleries in around the blowholes for having a look at the sea. The sea at this place is very rough with high splashes, that’s why the fencing is done around the viewing galley for the safety of the visitors. Don’t cross the fencing!
In addition to the sitting area around the cave, there are gazebos with benches to relax and enjoy the view near the blowholes. A must place to sit. The view is fascinating.
When you are going back, just have a look at these very thought provocative lines, which are written on Marneef Cave:
Take nothing but memories; Leave nothing but footprints
Book Tour to Al Mughsayl Blow Holes and Marneef Cave
Inquire about the tour through contact us form or by emailing or at +968 9120 6678. A guided tour is a perfect way to visit this place.
Location of Marneef Cave and Blowholes
Marneef Cave and Blowholes are located next to Mughsayl Beach. However, after the Mekunu Cyclone in 2018, the direct road that connect Marneef with Mughsail is destroyed. The remains of this overhead bridge can be seen at the exit of detour that you have to take in order to reach to Marneef, Fazayia Beach, Rakhyut and Dalkut.
The new road has amazing views to the mountains and khaur (creek). Moreover, you can see camels passing by on the road or in the waters in the khaur.
From Salalah city, Marneef Cave is around 40 to 50 minutes drive.