Authentic animal encounters are a fantastic way to turn any trip into an unforgettable adventure. If you were to list some of the classic bucket list animal experiences out there, I’m sure that bathing elephants in Thailand, swimming with seal lions in the Galapagos Islands and spotting the big five on the plains of Africa will all make your list.

What to Expect From Ras Al Jinz in Oman

Lucky visitors may also be able to spot four additional species that often pass-through the region including the Loggerhead, Leatherback, Olive Ridley and Hawksbill turtle.

How to Get To Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve 

The distance from Muscat to Ras Al Jinz is about 250 km (155.343 miles) via Route 17. A bus trip takes about four to six hours, but you could also rent a car to get there faster on a three-hour journey.

Image by @ghulamustafa on Unsplash

Best Time to Visit Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve

Peak turtle season in Oman usually runs from May through September. The best times to catch Oman’s turtles are between the months of July and September, but these are also the hottest months in the country.

Usually, visitors during the peak period can see 100+ turtles nesting. Unfortunately, nothing is guaranteed in the wild, but on most occasions, you can see a couple of turtles here and there throughout the year. 

Image by @mbicca on Unsplash

For the most part, turtles can be seen all year-round, with the exception of a few days in the low season when not a single turtle may be around.

We visited at the end of March and saw a good number of turtles (more than expected) to remember for a lifetime. Peak season or not, it’s the wild, so go expecting nothing and hope for everything.

Hatching takes place during the night when turtles emerge from the waters to dig a hole in the sand and lay their eggs in there. Once they feel satisfied and are done laying their eggs, they slide back to the sea. 

It takes about 55 days for the eggs to hatch and the baby turtles from within to begin their journey back home (to the sea). 

While most baby turtles will successfully make their way to the water, a handful of them may become victims to birds, crabs, and foxes.

The Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve Museum

Sea turtles are currently on the endangered species list (yes, all seven species). The Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve is doing its part to educate locals and visitors about these beautiful creatures and promote social responsibility. Visitors making their way to the reserve have access to the on-site museum.

As you walk from room to room, you will be introduced to the seven species of sea turtles, learn about their migration patterns, and get a deeper understanding of the factors that are causing them harm.

I wasn’t surprised to see that pollution, plastic, and poaching were major culprits. Coastal development, however, is a different story. It makes sense once you read about it, but the development of coasts around the world are taking natural habitats away from sea turtles who use the shores to lay their eggs.

The museum is a bit simple. It doesn’t take long to make your way through it either, but you will walk away understanding the importance of the reserve and its 45 km (27.96 miles) protected coastline.

What You Can Expect to See From the Turtles in Oman

The main draw of the Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve is, of course, Oman’s sea turtles. 

The reserve offers two guided walks daily — once in the evening and once at dawn — that gives you the chance to see sea turtles up close and in their natural habitat. You will be amazed by the sight of these giants coming ashore, laying their 80-120 eggs, and making their way back to the ocean.

The tour starts in the main reserve center, where you will receive a group number. We found that the groups didn’t start departing for Sur’s turtle beach until the staff received information about the presence of turtles. 

It’s only when the guides receive the go-ahead that the groups begin their 1 km (0.62 miles) walk to the beach. The guides do a great job at splitting up and staggering the groups. For the guests, it never feels crowded, and for the guides, it’s easier to keep an eye on all members. 

Since we were staying in the hotel at Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve that evening, we were a part of the first group — a convenient bonus to our trip.

Raz Al Jinz Turtle Reserve Guided Tour — Evening

Over the course of the evening, we saw the massive sea turtles making their way back to the ocean and others digging holes to lay their eggs in. 

The highlight of this experience was seeing hatchlings make their way to the surface and head out to sea. We were actually en route to the hotel grounds when someone spotted a single baby turtle scurrying across the sand — one of the cutest sights I’ve ever seen!

We followed the petite trail in the sand, which led to a nest. Next thing you know, the nest opened up, and the thirty or so hatchlings broke through the surface to begin their journey out to the ocean. 

It was the first time in almost three weeks that hatchlings surfaced — so we considered ourselves very lucky to have been able to experience it.

Raz Al Jinz Turtle Reserve Guided Tour — Morning

The second walk of your stay occurs before the sun rises, where you get the opportunity to catch the last of the action onshore. 

Where there were 10+ groups on our night walk (hotel guests and day-trippers), there was only one small group that took advantage of the morning walk. If you’re a guest of the hotel and skip the walk because it’s too early, you’ll be doing yourself a great disservice.

During our morning walk, I got to watch two of three green turtles making their way back to the ocean. 

While I didn’t see tons of turtles, as the sun rose on the horizon, you could see that the beach was full of turtle tracks and nests from the previous evening’s activities.

One of the highlights of the morning walk was the phenomenal sunrise. I can’t remember the last time I saw such vivid purples, pinks, reds, and oranges light up the sky. We found it a fantastic way to start and end our day cruising the Muscat and Sur Coastal Road before heading further afield on our Oman Road Trip.

One of the highlights of the morning walk was the phenomenal sunrise. I can’t remember the last time I saw such vivid purples, pinks, reds and oranges light up the sky. We found that it was an amazing way to start our day and the perfect end to our day cruising the Muscat – Sur Coastal Road before heading further a field on our Ultimate Oman Road Trip.

Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve Booking Accommodation

Our visit to the Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve was the last stop on our journey along Oman’s gorgeous Muscat to Sur Coastal Road. Considering it had accommodation onsite and we were keen to experience both the guided walks, we opted to stay at the Ras Al Jinz hotel overnight.

The museum and guided walks are included in the price of your stay, as are meals served buffet-style in the onsite restaurant — Sea Giants. You will find two types of rooms on the property.

The first is the Carapace (Shell) Rooms, located in the main Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve center. There are a total of 17 of these standard air-conditioned rooms onsite, all of which offer you the basics you need for your stay. Featuring en-suite bathrooms with a shower and complimentary toiletries, the rooms at Ras Al Jinz feature a warn and clean interior.

Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve Eco Tents

The second type of rooms are luxury eco-tents that will make your stay more exciting and adventurous. We opted to stay in one of the 12 air-conditioned luxury eco-tents located a couple of minutes’ walk from the main building.

All safari tents are en-suite and equipped with the same fittings as the Carapace Rooms (including a king size bed). It felt more exclusive and was nice being away from the main center.

We were able to sit out on our tent patio and enjoy the serene surroundings while having access to stunning views of the turtle beach. With no groups of tourists meandering around, we enjoyed ample privacy. Along with access to food, a private beach, and turtle-watching tours, guests at Ras Al Jinz can also partake in diving, fishing, hiking, and snorkeling. 

Looking to book? Be sure to check out the availability and rates for yourself here on Hotels.com.

Our visit to the Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve was fantastic, and we were really pleased we opted to stay onsite. The magical turtle experience is ultimately what everyone visits this corner of the world for. 

Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve Restaurant

Ras Al Jinz’s restaurant serves a wide variety of delectable dishes. The dishes are of various cuisine types, with the chefs taking inspiration from specific time periods. The service is friendly and hospitable, and you are sure to find the food satisfying and delicious. 

The restaurant has an all-day dining menu along with a set menu for lunch and dinner. However, most of the food is traditional food, and the restaurant is halal, so Muslim visitors don’t have to worry about where and what to eat.

Ras Al Jinz Turtle Experience and Tips to Know Before Going

There are some considerations I’d suggest taking note of to ensure you have a great experience. These tips to know before you go will also allow you to respect the experience of other people in your group, and of course, the health and livelihood of the sea turtles.

• Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve is a popular attraction in Oman. Booking your tickets or staying in advance is highly recommended to avoid disappointment. If staying onsite, the accommodation price includes the cost of the walks.
• The walks begin at the main center roughly around 8:30 pm, and 5:30 am. These times can change depending on sunrise and sunset times. Do yourself a favor and take advantage of both. If you are staying onsite, you will be the first to venture out — the added bonus I mentioned earlier.

Image by @pendraggon87 on Unsplash

• Turtle protection is key. Don’t expect to walk the beach alone and only go with a guide. They know where the turtles are, when not to disturb them, and how to protect the nests you may be trampling on without trained eyes.
• Also, don’t stray and try to leave the group. If your guide’s attention is pulled to keep you with the rest of the group, they aren’t focusing on the turtles
• Flash photography is a big no-no. Don’t be that annoying couple who thinks they will be sly and take a cheeky flash-lit photo with a turtle. Your need for a selfie will startle the turtle and stop them from laying their eggs. We are here to learn about the turtles and protect them, not distract and impede the circle of life.

Image by @davidleveque on Unsplash

• Groups received instructions to be quiet throughout the tour. Noise can be a distraction and prevent the turtles from handling their business.
• Shouting to your friend in the group that you see a turtle? Don’t. Talking about what you are doing tomorrow in full-voice as you wait for the guide to locate the next turtles? Don’t do that either. Squealing when you see the hatchlings coming to the surface? You guessed it — just don’t.
• Kids are the future decision-makers of our earth and its protection —  and are very welcome to visit. If you are a parent, do the group a favor and explain the importance of the established rules to your kiddies before the adventure.

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Places Near Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve

Visit Muscat

Image by @adil_r93 on Unsplash

The town of Muscat itself, which was once a sultanate, is now famous for traditional souqs and Islamic architecture, along with offering plenty of fun and exciting things to do. 

Different indigenous tribes along with various foreign powers (like the Persians, Portuguese Empire, and Ottoman Empire) once ruled over Muscat. The city’s rich history is evident in its architecture, culture, and museums.

From trekking deserts at sunset to bargaining at the Mutrah souq, you’ll never be bored here. Other fun activities include visiting the Portuguese forts, the Royal Opera House, and admiring the interior of the marble-clad Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.

e by @journaway on Unsplash

You could easily rent a car and explore yourself if you’re up for the drive. Alternatively, there are also many bus and minivan tours offering full-day or half-day guided tours around the city.

Sand Desert Sports at the Wahiba Sands

If you’ve got time on your hands, it’s worth traveling to the nearby Wahiba Sands to experience desert adventure and night camping in Oman. Approximately 40 km (24.85 miles) from Ras Al Jinz, south of the Western Hajar mountains, the Wahiba Sands is worth the road trip for the ultimate Arabian experience.

Image by @philip_ebid on Unsplash

Also known as The Sharqiya Sands, the Wahiba Sands is a desert region famous for its amber-colored sands and exhilarating sand sports. The sands span an area of more than ten thousand square kilometers, giving visitors an opportunity to discover Oman in true Arab style.

At the Wahiba Sands, you can partake in dune backing, desert trekking, sandboarding, camel safaris, and horse safaris. You can also visit nearby Bedoun families and immerse yourself in their culture. 

Turtle Beach Resort, Oman

Oman’s Turtle Beach Resort in the Ras Al Hadd area is approximately 20.2 km (12.6 miles) from the Ras al-Jinz Turtle Reserve.

Image by @enisyavus on Unsplash

The resort is a traditional Omani-style accommodation with a private beach, indoor swimming pool, sauna, and plenty of bars and restaurants. Famous landmarks near and around the Tulum Beach Resort include the Ras Al Hadd fort and mosque, the Al Ayjah fort and lighthouse, and the Sur Marine Museum.

While turtle watching in Oman is possible from both Ras Al Hadd’s Beach Resort and Ras Al Jinz resort, the latter is a better option for this activity. Ras Al Jinz offers tents complete with aircon and other luxurious facilities. One of the main advantages of staying at Ras Al Jinz is that it is quieter, more natural, and has more privacy. 

Image by @anfalshams on Unsplash

TRAVEL PLANNING ESSENTIALS: OMAN

Before planning any trip to Oman, you need to make sure you are prepared. These are some of the most important travel essentials.

Flights to Oman

Oman is accessible via Muscat International Airport, Salalah Airport and Sohar International Airport. Check out Kayak to find 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

Compare Oman car hire options at RentalCars.com. Driving in Oman is epic, just be sure to check out the key 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.)

Oman’s turtle reserve at Ras Al Jinz offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to observe thousands of green sea (and other species of) turtles laying their eggs here at night. 

Along with being a nature reserve for the protection of these shell creatures, Ras Al Jinz also offers accommodation and boasts a spectacular museum on-site for visitors. This turtle sanctuary in Oman should be on everyone’s bucket list. 

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