Diving report Al Daymaniyat Islands, Oman

[Gernot]

Hi Guys,

Herewith a small report on the latest Dive Site I have explored, Al Daymniyat Islands.
After having been diving everywhere in this region (Khasab, Musandam, Fujeirah, Muscat, North Tip of Musandam LiveAboard) as well as other famous dive Places like Similan Islands and Koh Phi Phi Thailand, Red Sea, Zanzibar, East Africa, ... I have found really the best diving place,
a paradise: AL DAYMANIYAT ISLANDS, 100km away from Muscat, approx 4.5h drive from Dubai.

Nature: Incredible!
Marine Life: Amazing!
Diversity of Fish: Massive!
Visibility: Awesome ( between 25 - 40m in shallow areas)
Dive Sites: Beautiful (coral gardens everywhere between 5-15m which gave us dive times over 70 minutes)
Corals: everywhere!

We were staying in the Al Sawadi Beach Resort, Hotel is nothing special at all, but the dive centre was well organized (launched 4 Speed Boats per day in total)
only drawback is that they only offer 2 tank dives per day, where you could easily do 3 a day as the dive sites are shallow and close to each other once you are out at the islands.

Nitrox: available
Dive Master: very experienced (Roshan 15 years at Al Daymaniyat)
My bussy and me, we like to be independent from other divers, and they gave us sufficient freedom to plan and execute our dives by ourselves, so yet again, very happy.

So, best to see the Underwater world is in pictures and videos.
Check this on Toutube:
YouTube - Diving in Aquarium Al Daymaniyat Islands Oman with Juvenile Batfish and Sea Turtle
YouTube - Aquarium Dive, Al Daymaniyat Islands Oman
YouTube - Giant Moray Male and Female together, Al Daymaniyat Islands, Oman

and some pictures: Search for Gernot in this forum under Member Galleries and you will find some more...
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[Red Dragon]

Nice photos

I allways dive at Daymaniyat Islands Since I live in muscat!!!

but amazing photos you have there

[Gernot]

Originally Posted by Red Dragon

Nice photos

I allways dive at Daymaniyat Islands Since I live in muscat!!!

but amazing photos you have there

thanks a lot! Just came back from a LiveAboard in Maldives and going to the Dimaniyat and Fahal Islands tomorrow... maybe I see you there?

[Red Dragon]

Originally Posted by Gernot

thanks a lot! Just came back from a LiveAboard in Maldives and going to the Dimaniyat and Fahal Islands tomorrow... maybe I see you there?

With which dive center you are going with!!!

currently I am at work at the dessert!!!
but will be coming back in five days!!! and will go diving at Dimaniyat btw!!! you will need to have a wet suit!!! it is damn cold around 24 degC last weekend!!!

[LynnW]

As a 28 year old in 1978 I spent a camping weekend on the Damanyates with a group of Sultan's Air Force colleagues. We came within about 200m of a massive whale en route, blowing passively at the surface. On arrival at the reef I was persuaded into the sea with an uninflated lifejacket and face mask - no spare snorkel available. I couldn't swim but in the bouyant sea the LJ worked fine. The boat had anchored over the drop off while our army colleague dived for crayfish. The scenery was amazing, so much so that I drifted off forgetting where the boat was. After a while, looking back towards the boat ,I saw loads of fins in the water around it, and panic stricken I headed for the shore, about 50m away but painfully slow when you can only do the breast stroke. Cue much mirth from the boat, they were of course dolphins. It's a magical place, now rigorously protected to prevent idiots like us plundering crayfish. I don't think it's possible to camp there without a permit, but it adds to the magic if you can.

I have returned a couple of times recently, now an adept breastroking snorkeller. and would certainly echo the comments above. Incidentally the islands are well up the Batinah coast from Muscat, best launch from one of the centres near the international airport, or further up like the As Sawadi. That way it's only about 40 mins in a speedboat.

Cheers

Lynn

[Scofield]

Am going next weekend over eid.
Can't wait!!