Unique to Oman, you can explore a variety of deserts here, including the stony deserts in the provinces of Al Wusta and Dhofar and the flat salt deserts along the southern coast. If you are looking for the quintessential Arabian experience in a vast desert with sweeping, towering dunes, look no further than the Wahiba Sands.

Just make sure you look beyond the sand dunes — there’s a lot more to experience as you make your way through the Wahiba Sands. Here’s a look at the things not to miss when exploring the Wahiba Sands in Oman.

How to Get To Wahiba Sands — Location

Located south of the Western Hajar mountains, Wahiba Sands is the perfect place to sate your inner Bedouin for an adventure you won’t forget. The desert is only about a two-hour drive from Muscat, the capital city of Oman boasting its own extensive list of things to do. 

Along the route are many villages and towns you can make a stop at to discover more of Oman’s hidden gems.

Visit Traditional Omani Towns

It doesn’t matter what country in the world you visit; the moment you step out of the larger cities, the sooner you get a glimpse of what real life is like in your destination. I particularly loved that about Oman. The country’s villages represent the life of Omanis in the past and present.

You may have seen some of these villages along the Muscat and Sur Coastal Road, and you will undoubtedly experience them as you make your way to the Wahiba Sands for your desert adventure. Your mission may be to see the towering dunes but give yourself a little extra time to check out the local villages and towns along the way.

Start from Ras Al Jinz

If you’re following my Oman road trip itinerary, you’ll be leaving the Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve to make your way west along the southern coastal roads. The first towns you will encounter are Jalan Bani Bu Ali and Jalan Bani Bu Hassan.

Jalan Bani Bu Ali

It’s amazing how much you can get a sense of a place by simply just driving through it.

Jalan Bani Bu Hassan

6.2 miles (10 km) further north along Highway 35, you will arrive at Jalan Bani Bu Hassan. If you haven’t made a pit-stop at one of the many Omani forts, now is your chance. 

Follow the brown tourist signs directing you to Fort Jalan Bani Bu Hassan and make your way into the expansive courtyard of this newly fortified tourist attraction. It’s free to get in but only open from Sunday through Wednesday — so be mindful of the day that you decide to pass through town.

Al Kamil

Continuing north, you will pass through Al Kamil, which sits at the juncture where Highways 35 ends and meets Highway 23. 

At the eastern end of Highway 23, about 31 miles (50 km) away, sits the coastal town of Sur. This highway is a good option if your trip didn’t include a stop at the Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve in Sur. It’s also an excellent alternative if you’re short on time and need to get from Oman’s eastern coast direct into the Wahiba Sands.

Al Mintarib and Al Wasil (Access Points to Wahiba Sands Desert)

As you make your way north along Highway 23, you will pass through the towns of Mintrib and Al Wasil. Both line and are common access points to the Wahiba Desert. 

If you plan on driving yourself out into the desert, be sure to read my guide on the five things you need to know before driving in Oman. You’ll want to make sure you have the right vehicle and that it’s adequately prepped before you head off the pavement. Failure to do so could set you up for an adventure you really don’t want.

Alternative Route Through Ibra

Our exploration of the Sharqiya province started by cruising along the Muscat to Sur Coastal Road, which meant we entered the Wahiba Sands from the south and headed north. The Wahiba Sands can also be accessed from north to south and is commonly visited on a day trip from the capital city of Muscat.

As you make your way south, the major town you’ll see is Ibra, the second-largest city in the Ash Sharqiyah Region of Oman. It is much larger and more developed than those already mentioned along this route. Be sure to pop into this town to check out the bustling souk where you can get a taste of a traditional Omani dessert, Halwa.

If you have more time, hop back in the car and take a quick drive to the charming walled villages of Al Munisifeh, Al Kanatar, and Mudayrib. These will surely give you an authentic look at life in Oman.

Cool Off in Wadi Bani Khalid, Oman

Wadi Bani Khalid Pools & Caves is located about 18.64 miles (30 km) from Highway 23. The drive takes you through some picturesque towns, all of which get a bit greener as you near the source of the water. There will be marked signs, but you can expect the turn-off to be about 27.9617 miles (45 km) north of Al Kamil or 14.29 miles (23 km) south of Al Wasil.

Wadi Bani Khalid Pools & Cave is the perfect place to explore and get relief from the heat. Unlike Wadi Tiwi and Wadi Al Shab, which require a hike to get to once you have parked your car, Wadi Bani Khalid Pools is conveniently located a short walk from the parking lot.

Admittedly, it’s a bit less rugged than the other mentioned Wadis. There are lifeguards monitoring the pool, and onsite are changing facilities, bathrooms, and even a cafe. That being said, it’s just as stunning and worth the visit as any other wadi in Oman. There’s also no point in getting to the desert mid-day since it’s way too hot to do much of anything anyway.

What to do at Wadi Bani Khalid

The visit to Wadi Bani Khalid is free, and you’ll have access to a number of freshwater pools as well as the canyon area that begs exploring. Like other wadis in the region, you can hike, splash, and swim your way through the canyon as you admire its natural beauty.

We opted to hike alongside the pools on the tricky path that meandered to the Muqal Cave. The cave isn’t anything spectacular, but after a short visit, you can hop in the water and make your return journey through the pools. 

The further back into the canyon you are, the fewer people there are likely to be around you, which is enough to make you feel like you’re alone on some strange planet.

Spend the Night in the Desert

Sure, zipping in and out of the desert in a day is possible, and there is no shortage of tour companies ready to take you on a half-or full-day Wahiba Sands tour. But you didn’t come all the way to Oman to visit the desert and not stay overnight, right? The views of the stars without all of the light pollution are worth it alone.

There are a handful of established desert camps to choose from, ranging from basic to luxury. Whether it’s stylized tents, Bedouin barbecues, late-night music, and a range of activities on offer, all of them will have some element of providing you with an authentic desert experience. 

You’ll just need to decide the comfort level you require and take it from there. Here’s a look at all the available desert safari camps in Wahiba.

Oman Desert Camp

We opted to stay at the boutique, luxury Desert Nights Camp. I’ve stayed at desert camps in the United Arab Emirates and Morrocco, but the Desert Nights Camp in Oman was by far the best. 

You get the service and amenities of a luxury hotel, all while being in the middle of the desert. Be sure to check out my Oman Desert Nights Camp review to learn more about the overall luxury camping experience.

Wahiba Sands Activities — Desert Safari, Camping, & More

So, you’re in the desert and want to experience it as well, right? Of course, you do. Regardless of where you decide to stay, there will be plenty of options to choose from — dune bashing, quad biking, sandboarding, camel riding, desert trekking, sunset drives, and more. 

My personal favorite was the adrenaline-pumping Dune Bashing. The seas of sand glisten in the sunshine and stretch for miles on end, making dune bashing in Oman a thrilling experience.

Sandboarding in Oman is also very popular and easily available at Desert Nights Camp. Whatever your pace, don’t leave the desert without trying some of these out first. It’s a part of the experience.

If you are looking for a more rugged adventure, wild camping is legal in Oman and can be done in the Wahiba Sands. The general rule of thumb is to not go into the desert on your own, but if you choose to do so, just exercise caution. You’ll obviously want to camp near the dunes but remember that 4WD vehicles rip and roar over them during daylight hours.

TRAVEL PLANNING ESSENTIALS: OMAN

While deciding what to pack depends on your personal preferences, the following information may help plan a trip to Oman. From flight and car-hire details to where to stay in Oman and what travel insurance to get, don’t forget to consider these essentials when designing your Oman travel itinerary.

Flights to Oman

Oman is accessible via Muscat International Airport, Salalah Airport and Sohar International Airport. Check out Kayak to fiind the best deals on flights to Oman.

Accommodation in Oman

As a long-time rewards member, Hotels.com is my first stop when exploring accommodation options. Not only do they have great inventory, but you get a free nights stay after every 10th booking.

Car Hire in Oman

You can compare Oman car hire options at RentalCars.com. Driving in Oman is epic, just be sure to check out the things to know before driving in Oman.

Travel Insurance in Oman

Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more. (As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.)

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