Salalah has been blessed with some of the most beautiful places in the world. Salalah Beaches are just amazing. The beauty of the beach lies in the blue jewel color of the sea, smooth sand, ample of sunshine and most important cleanliness. Beach is a source of instant happiness. No matter where are you are travelling from, the sight of blue ocean fills up with immense pleasure.
As they say let the waves hit your feet and the sand be your seat. So set yourself for a trip to Salalah, to embrace your solitude with the sight of setting sun on an empty beach.
Salalah is the capital of the southern Omani province of Dhofar. It is also the second largest city in the Sultanate of Oman, and the largest city in the Dhofar Province. Salalah is a well-known tourist destination in gulf, especially during the season of Khareef from June to September. It’s a wonderland in short. I’m currently based in Salalah so have been lucky enough to witness all the seasons of this place.
The geography of this region is such that Salalah has its own micro climate, so the weather is generally pleasant here, unlike in other parts of Oman or gulf. The sky is usually clear here (if it’s not Khareef) and applying a sunscreen is always advisable. The beaches in Salalah are hardly commercial and that is how you can enjoy a picnic time. Just you and your family and nature by your side.
My advice would be to visit these beaches around the time of sunset so can enjoy the beautiful color of the sky and its reflection on the sea as well. Depending on how much the distance is from your place, plan your journey in advance. Out of the five beaches I have mentioned Al Fazayah is the farthest from the main city.
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1. Al-Mughsail (also spelled Mughsayl) – A Beautiful Salalah Beach
The drive to Mughsail beach is one of its kinds, with the blue colored ocean on one side and huge mountains on the other side. On your way you will get to see Limestone Mountains and the roller coaster roads are itself a thrill. This is something to be experienced; the words will only fail you. The sea remains out of sight until a few kilometers before Mughsail when road and water finally walk alongside, offering a view seen in movies generally.
Mughsail beach is a stretch of around four to six kilometers. You can stop at any of the spot you like and take a dip in the blue jewel water. You will also enjoy the variety of pebbles you get to see here. Read More about Mughsayl Beach >>
You can drive up to Al Maha petrol station and take a left turn opposite to it down the road signed Al Marneef cave. If you plan to walk your way up to Al –Marneef caves, you can admire the spectacular view of the ocean. The view leaves you with an awakening how small we are in the vastness of this unseen world. On your one side will be dark Blue Ocean and on the other side the varied shape of overhanging rocks and caves that will leave you wonder struck. To me the shape of the rock appears to be like a wolf staring at the ocean with his big eyes, may be keeping it protected.
Walk a little more to witness the Al Mughsail’s famous blowholes at the west side of the Marnif. If you get lucky enough you could witness the thunder of the ground and streaming jets of seawater several meters in height to your surprise. They are pretty impressive during khaeef season. Moving more north you will enjoy the picturesque sea cliffs. Check the picture gallery to appreciate the beauty of this place. Read More about Marneef Cave and Blowholes >>
The place has many shelters for you to relax and even barbecue if you want. Drive to Al Mughsail beach could be anywhere from 30 minutes to 45 minutes from the main city. Better to carry your resident card or passport as you might have police checking on your way. It is also better to carry some extra clothes, mat, slippers and food items whenever you are planning to travel long distance. Although this beach is well developed with many eateries and a cafe around but carrying the above mentioned stuff will prove to be handy. Mobile network isn’t an issue here.
As they say for Al Mughsail: take nothing but memories, leave nothing but your footprints.
2. Al Fazayah Beach – Amazing Salalah Beach after Mughsayl
If you have love for driving, you can even choose to travel ahead of Mughsayl Beach to check even more beautiful beach of Salalah – the famous Al Fazayah Beach. The drive to Al Fazayah is about another half an hour from Mughsail Beach. The roller coaster drive will only leave you in trance and once you will reach the beach itself, you will never forget the dip of your feet in the softest white sand of the world. Such a treasure hunt this beach is in itself. But it’s advisable to make your way back at or before sunset, for it gets really dark and mobile network will be an issue here. Do check the picture gallery to admire this beach as well. Read More about Al Fazayah Beach >>
3. Ad Dahariz Beach – Salalah Beach with Beautiful Gazebo
Located in the eastern part of Salalah, this beach is easily accessible by 10 to 20 minutes drive from any part of Salalah. This white sand beach surrounded by coconut trees offers a perfect abode to relax on any day. The walkway is beautifully lightened up with bollard lights. Make a perfect spot for your boring evening walks elsewhere. Imagine daily walking down from your hotel to the beach to witness the beautiful sunrise and sunset. The government has developed gazebo so one can sit under the shade on the benches and enjoy the view of this beautiful beach.
This place provides you with an ample option to choose from be it a hotel, eatery joint or a picnic spot to conclude your perfect evening. You can even do barbeque here under one of the umbrella hut (gazebo) for the public or just get a mat and enjoy the sight and sound of sea waves and do some bird watching as well.
You can also walk along Al Dahariz creek, which is a best spot for bird watching. The shelter hut here offers a good height and a place to relax and do bird watching. Read More about Ad Dahariz >>
4. Al Haffa Beach – Salalah Beach within the City
It’s one of my all time favorite. This white sand beach is so picturesque, especially the way the palm trees are aligned naturally in the direction of the sea. I haven’t witnessed a more beautiful sunset anywhere else. This place never disappoints as far as the pictures are concerned.
Major part of the beach is still under construction. Advisable to carry mat or chairs along with food items in case you are planning to sit for long.
Bird watching is a treat here, for this beach is full of gorgeous seagulls and since the port is near, so you can also enjoy the view of ships from far.
From the beach you can drive to old souq in Al Haffa. This souq is the oldest and most renowned.
5. Taqah Beach – A Beach in Coastal Town of Taqa
Taqah is a coastal town in the Dhofar governorate, in southwestern Oman. It is located approximately 37 km away from Salalah, so will take around 30 minutes to reach. Taqah is a fishermen’s hub. So you could spot lot of fishing boats. Due to the richness of this beach with aquatic life, Taqah offer bird lovers a treat.
Here, you can see birds from three continents – Asia, Europe, and Africa – all in a single country where mountains, desert and sea provide rich and diverse environments for migrating and locally breeding species.
Apart from bird watching and fishing Taqah town itself offers a lot of options for the travelers, few distance away you can visit the Taqah castle, which offers an amazing view of the Taqah township or you can drive up to Taqah view point which offers an amazing view of the Indian Ocean. Read More about Taqa >>
Salalah is nature’s blessing, with its best offering of peace to you.
Enjoy your trip!
About the Author: Upasana Venaik Malhotra
A dental surgeon, travel blogger and inspired photographer with a relaxed lifelike sense of description of destinations that gives you a fairy tallish but real feel of place you would enjoy visiting.
A creative mind that not only explores a million ways to capture the moments of beauty but also keeps the description simple and interesting for readers to provoke a realistic indulgence in travel and photography.
For more travel photographs you can follow her on instagram account: upasana_2407
Beautiful Salalah team thanks Ms. Upasana for sharing this beautiful write up about Salalah Beaches. The above write up and photographs are of the author.