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Masirah Island
Oman's wild desert island
- Best time to visit
- Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec
- Currency
- OMR
- Time zone
- UTC+4
- Country
- Oman
Masirah is Oman's largest island, a 95 km stretch of deserted beaches, rocky hills and fishing villages off the east coast. People come for loggerhead turtle nesting, dhow wrecks, kitesurfing winds and a genuine off-grid desert-island feel.
- Muscat
- Salalah
- Sohar
- Nizwa
- Sur
Quick facts
- Country
- Oman
- Capital
- Muscat
- Island population
- 8,726
- Population of Oman
- 4.8M
- Country area
- 309,500 km²
- Official language
- Arabic
- Currency
- Omani Rial (OMR) · 1 USD ≈ 0.3845 OMR
- Time zone
- UTC+4
- Calling code
- +968
- Drives on the
- Right
- Elevation
- 49 m
- Plugs
- G · 240V
- Emergency numbers
- 9999 (police) · 9999 (ambulance) · 9999 (fire)
- Best time to visit
- Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec
Temperatures through the year
Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.
Temperatures through the year
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 26° | 27° | 31° | 34° | 35° | 34° | 32° | 30° | 31° | 32° | 30° | 27° |
| Low | 19° | 20° | 22° | 25° | 26° | 26° | 25° | 24° | 24° | 24° | 23° | 21° |
Best time to visitOther months
Approximate daily cost
Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.
- ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$58
- HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$115
- LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$255
Top things to do
- Free
Loggerhead turtle watching
Watch loggerhead females come ashore to nest on the northern and eastern beaches after dark; keep lights off and distance, and go with a local guide.
- Half day
- East coast beaches and dhow wrecks
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
- Free
Dhow wreck beaches
Walk the wild east coast where wrecked dhows lie preserved in the salt and heat, including an accessible 250-ton wreck from 1993.
- Half day
- East coast beaches and dhow wrecks
- Good for kids
- ≈ $60
Kitesurfing and windsurfing
Summer monsoon winds blow steadily over 20 knots, making the island a strong kitesurfing spot; gear and lessons are available at the island's kitesurfing camp.
- Half day
- East coast beaches and dhow wrecks
- Free
West coast swimming and snorkelling
The west coast beaches are calmer and better for swimming, with shallow offshore water where turtles are often seen while snorkelling.
- Half day
- West coast calm beaches and sandy plain
- Good for kids
- Free
Hilf port and fish factory
Wander the main village and harbour where the ferry docks, watch the fishing boats and see the island's working fish factory.
- Half day
- Hilf (Ras-Hilf) and the northern villages
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
- Free
Jabal Madrub viewpoint
Drive the interior track to the island's highest point at 256 m for wide views over the sandy plain and both coasts; a 4WD is best.
- Half day
- Interior hills and Jabal Madrub
- Free
Southern headlands day trip
A full day south to Ras Abu Rasas and the Masirah lighthouse on Jabal Suwayr, passing rocky bays and the conical hill at Ras Kaydah.
- Full day
- Southern headlands and lighthouse area
- Good for kids
- Free
Birdwatching and beach camping day
The island is an Important Bird Area for waders, seabirds and Egyptian vultures; combine a birding drive with an overnight camp on a quiet beach.
- Full day
- West coast calm beaches and sandy plain
- Good for kids
Before you go
Entry and visas
Many visitors can enter Oman visa-free for up to 14 days, while longer stays, work or study require a visa; other nationalities may need an e-visa or can get a visit visa on arrival. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months beyond arrival, and border staff may ask for onward tickets, accommodation proof and travel health insurance. Rules vary by nationality, so check the official Royal Oman Police e-visa site before booking.
Official websiteFrom the airport
Most visitors reach the island by National Ferry Company car ferry from Shannah on the mainland, about 1.5 hours to Hilf Port; Salam Air also flies to Masirah weekly. From the ferry terminal it is a short drive to the main villages and hotels in the north.
Getting around
There is no public transport worth relying on, so hire a car or 4WD on the island or bring your own vehicle on the ferry; one main road runs most of the island's length.
Local tips
- Dress modestly in villages and around the air base area; swimwear belongs on the beach only.
- Bring cash in Omani rial — card acceptance is limited and some camps are cash only.
- Ferries run only at high tide, so check sailing times the day before you travel.
- Summer brings strong monsoon winds and heat; winter and spring are calmer for swimming and turtle watching.
Areas worth knowing
- Hilf (Ras-Hilf) and the northern villages
- Southern headlands and lighthouse area
- Interior hills and Jabal Madrub
- East coast beaches and dhow wrecks
- West coast calm beaches and sandy plain
The UK Foreign Office last updated its advice for this country on July 22, 2026.
Read the advice on GOV.UKMore cities in Oman
All destinations- MuscatOman's low-rise coastal capital
Oman - NizwaOman's historic interior city
Oman - SalalahOman's green monsoon city
Oman - SurOman's dhow-building coast
Oman - Wahiba SandsOman's vast red dunes and Bedouin camps
Oman - KhasabFjords, dolphins and forts in Oman's exclave
Oman - Musandam PeninsulaFjords, mountains and dolphins in Oman's exclave
Oman
Sources: evisa.rop.gov.om · evisa.rop.gov.om · Wikipedia: Masirah Island · Wikivoyage: Masirah Island