Some forts in Oman

Fort Jalali

Has a formidable wall around it and access is only possible from the harbor side, up a steep flight of steps. No longer used as a prison, it has been completely renovated and is used as a museum of Omani heritage and culture for visiting heads of state and royalty. Neither fort is normally open to the public.

Fort Mirani

The western fort, like its twin Fort Jalali-the eastern fort at the other side of the harbor, was not the first fortification on the site. The rocky hilltops were strategically important long before the Portuguese became active in the area. However, both these present day forts were rebuilt by the Portuguese. Fort Mirani was completed in 1587 and still has the remains of a chapel, complete with a receptacle for holy water built into the wall. If you look over the harbor wall from the entrance to the fort you can see the name of visiting ships painted on the rocks beneath Fort Jalali.

Bait Fransa

The museum was originally built around 160 years ago as a residence for Ghaliya Bint –Salim Bin Sultan, a niece of the ruler Sultan Said Bin –Sultan. The house is delightful tall building built around a courtyard and reflecting a mixture of Arabic and Indian styles.The ceilings, constructed of wooden beams with palm coverings, complement the arched windows with their delicate lattice plasterwork. The wooden window screens open in sections to control ventilation and sunlight

Torism in Oman

Visa

A single entry visa is issued at the point of entry and is valid for one month. A fine of R.O. 10 per day is charged for an overstay beyond the validity of the visa. There are also an express visa, a multiple entry visa and a common visa with Dubai.

Beaches

Oman is lined with some stunning beaches. Activity for beach visitors include sunning, swimming, diving, snorkeling, boating, surfing, beach combing and shell collecting.
'The Intercon Beach' faces Muscat Intercontinental Hotel and extends two km to Crowne Plaza hotel. This beach is ideal for family outings, morning walks or a jog in evening. The beach is lined with restaurants, snack bars and cafes. The Qurum beach allows entrance barbecuing. At Qantab beach local fishermen will offer to take you fishing and at Bandar Jissah beach the view of the rocky coastline is just fabulous. The drive to Yitti beach through hilly terrain will lead to a fishing village with winding dirt track that lead to the beach through a long shallow cove. At the beach fishermen are busy at work but there is still ample room for any kind of beach activity. You can wade in the shallows or investigate the shell encrusted outcrops along the shore.
The popular Al Sawadi Beach Resort is about an hour west from Muscat. The resort offers dives, snorkeling, speedboat rides, water scooters, temperature controlled swimming pool and Jacuzzi. The coast beyond Quriyat can be reached by driving southeast on a four wheel drive. There are a variety of beaches between rocky outcrop, the most prominent being Mokallah (also known as White Beach). This spot is very popular for overnight camping on the shore and it is excellent for snorkeling.

What to do

Photography

Both serious and casual photographers will be more than inspired. Majestic mountain ranges, gold sandy beaches, wildlife, villages, ancient forts, and colorful natives are all within a wink of a shutter.

Diving

With Oman long coastline and clean unpolluted waters, there is a wealth of underwater flora, marine life and diving thrills awaiting the underwater explorer. Several companies specializing in diving services offer a complete range of diving courses, diving equipment and activities. The diving available in Oman provides adventure and enjoyment with dramatic wall drop-offs to scenic coral lined fjords. Sea life is abundant with a variety of hard and soft corals. Oman enjoys an average visibility of 20-30 meters. Night dives are popular and divers are often astounded by the amount of phosphorescence found. Several dive sites encircle Muscat and (PADI instruction)is available .

Turtle, Dolphin and Bird Watching

Several species of turtles living for over 100 years swim the length and breadth of the Indian Ocean and return every year to lay their eggs on the beaches of Ras al Hadd, Ras Al Junayz and Masirah island.
Dolphins frequent the seas of the Oman on a regular basis and can be seen in close proximity to the coast. Whales can also be found swimming in the waters of Oman, albeit less frequently, in particular the Humpback and the Orca. Fahal Island is a good site to spot dolphins in hundreds roaming around or following the tuna. Spinner, Common and some Bottlenose dolphins are the main types. Orcas playing round the island have also been reported. Trips are normally carried out using traditional Omani fishing boats in early morning and at sunset.
Oman is increasingly becoming a significant destination for bird watching. More than 460 different bird species have been recorded in Oman, out of which, 80 species have been classified as resident, while the rest are migrant and seasonal species. Oman offers a unique opportunity to watch birds from Europe, Africa and Asia in one spot during their annual migrations in Spring and Autumn. These migratory periods coincide with the cooler weather between October and April. Some of the common resident species one expects to see within or around Muscat include: Herons (Striated and Western Reef), Ospreys, Swift Term, Laughing Doves, Egyptian Vultures, and Indian Roller. Common Migrant and seasonal species include: Cattle Egret, Little Stint, Greater Flamingo, Caspian Gull, Spotted Flycatcher, Grey Heron, Dunlin, Sandwich Tern, Red and Green shanks, Ruff and White Wagtail.
There is a massive array of bird watching sites in other parts of the country. Eagles are popular in Musandam. Arabian Oryx Sanctuary in Al-Wusta Region provides an excellent opportunity to watch desert species, notably Spotted Sand Grouse, Golden Eagle and Houbara Bustard. Masirah Island is the home of thousands of birds especially in the winter such as Greater Flamingo, Seagulls, Terns and Herons. Dhofar with its diverse terrain and monsoon rains is a true paradise for birds particularly African species.