Masirah Island

Masirah Island is in Central Coastal Oman. Understand Masirah is an Indian Ocean island off the east coast of Oman and is 95 km long and between 12 and 14 km wide. The population is estimated at 12,000. It contains an Omani air base and a fish factory, as well as a few small towns. The island slowly started to appear on the traveller radar in the 1990s and it holds interest for anyone seeking a real desert island experience. Its deserted beaches and interesting wildlife are the main draws. There is also great potential for watersports here with the winds being especially attractive to kite surfers. The rugged terrain of the island and surrounding rough coastline has led to the appearance of many wrecked dhows on the beaches of the island, most of them well preserved by the salt water and intense heat. Camping is probably still the most common way of experiencing Masirah but there are also a handful of small, new hotels. Get in Regular vehicle ferries run from Shanna'a on the east coast of the mainland and take about 1½ hours. Ferries run from morning until evening but only at high tide (the waters are very shallow). Cost is 15 OR each way. The ferries are old converted tank landing craft. Get around See Beaches. The east coast beaches are wild and windy whilst those on the west coast are calmer and most suitable for swimming. Dhow wrecks are all around the island and there is a very accessible 250 ton example which was wrecked on the east coast in 1993. Turtles. Four species breed on Masirah's beaches, including the largest number of Loggerheads anywhere in the world with at least 30,000 nesting females on the northern beaches. The shallow offshore waters are great for snorkelling and will easily come across turtles this way as well as on the beaches at night as they come ashore to lay. Do Buy Eat Drink Sleep Serabis Hotel, ☎ +968 2550 4699 (dira2008@omantel.net.om). Simple two star hotel. From 12 OR.  edit Swiss Belhotel, ☎ +968 2550 4274 (masirah@swiss-belhotel.com), [1]. Four star hotel and by far the grandest option on the island. Set up as beach resort with all the facilities you would expect.  edit The Hotel is no longer operated by Swiss-Bel Hotels. It is now known and signposted as the Masirah Island Resort, operated by Oman Government. Camping Camping is popular on the Masirah and there are few restrictions about where. Beaches are naturally the most popular choices. Camping service (mmmalmajali@gmail.com) Contact Mansoor Tourist guide . Masirah Island mmmalmajali@gmail.com 0096892555338 Get out This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!