Driving from Dubai to Oman with kids is a must-do activity during the winter season in the UAE. If you’re visiting family in Dubai or you’re a frequent traveler to the UAE, then this one should be a part of your itinerary. The beautiful changing of sceneries, wildlife, and cooler temperature are some of the top reasons you should do a road trip from Dubai to Oman. Two weeks ago, my family and I went for an adventure and drove from Dubai to Musandam, Oman. It was a splendid experience and it’s something I highly recommend if you’re visiting Dubai in the winter season or a long-term resident of the UAE. So, keep on reading…
Read more: Driving from Dubai to Oman with Kids: Your Complete Guide to Oman- Make sure you’re comfortable driving on the highway. Download google maps offline so that in case you run out of data, you can still use it.
- There are many petrol stations with stand-alone coffee shops and restaurants on E66 or Emirates Road but it’s still good to pack snacks and bottled water.
- Plan Ahead. Are you driving a Dubai-licensed or Abu Dhabi-licensed car? If the answer is yes, then make sure that your insurance covers Oman. However, if you don’t have it covered, you can still avail of the insurance at the border. It costs 126 AED per car. So, if you’re traveling on a weekend and on a convoy, leave early as there’s a queue in the border control area.
- Ensure to take your passport with a valid UAE residence visa and a copy of your car registration. Please ensure to bring these documents along with your family’s passports and visas.
- Have a charger or a power bank.
- Don’t forget to bring an emergency kit that includes medicine for headaches, seasickness, and nausea.
Places to Visit in Musandam if you’re not going for a Dhow Cruise in the Indian Ocean
Visiting the coastal town of Khasab
Khasab is a sleepy fishing town in the Musandam Peninsula. And its fishing port is well-known to long-time residents of the UAE. This is also the spot where most dhow cruises, ferry boats, and yachts dock for visitors to board and start the cruise in the Indian Ocean. Oman is rich in flora and fauna. And one of the best things we loved on this road trip was wildlife spotting. On the way to Khasab, we spotted Socotra Cormorant colony flocking on the shores and top of the fjords. My kids also love watching the goats, and they are everywhere. You can see them near the beaches, at viewing points, and along the road. And these simple things are what made the road trip from Dubai to Oman special.
Here’s what you can do there if you opt not to do the boat ride. First, go for a swim. There are many pristine beaches with crystal clear, and azure waters in Khasab. One of them is called Bassa Beach. You can go there and have a dip. For us, we stopped by in Al Jerry public beach on the way back to Dubai and we had a blast! The water was cold but not freezing. But what we loved most was the scenery as the beach is surrounded by the Hajjar Mountains. Secondly, stop at one of the viewpoints in Khasab! There are picnic tables and a small playground that are perfect if you want to have snacks and enjoy the scenery. Thirdly, you can also check out Khasab Castle, a 17th-century castle built by the Portuguese, but it has now been converted into a museum where you can learn more about Oman’s cultural heritage and history! Lastly, have fun wildlife spotting! Take photographs and cherish every moment.
Cruising in Musandam -the Norway of Arabia
Our main destination was Khasab Port, where we cruised along the Strait of Hormuz. I didn’t expect anything when I first set foot in Khasab. Perhaps, because it was already my fourth time visiting this hidden gem. Only that I wish my kids would spot dolphins in the wild. But as the saying goes, it’s sweeter the second time around. And we really had so much fun, and we created so many beautiful memories to cherish forever!
Our home away from home
Our home in the ocean is a luxury private yacht. We stayed in a suite cabin with a porthole, a toilet, and a shower. It’s also equipped with a wardrobe, drawer, and mirror and it’s fully air-conditioned. But what I loved most about the yacht is the spacious sun deck and lounger where we all relaxed, breathed in the fresh air, and relished the view of the fjords. It truly calms the soul and the mind!
The crew picked us up at the pier at noon, and we hopped in the yacht before lunchtime. To reach the yacht, we took a speed boat. The luxury boat cruised around Khor Sham in Musandam. Khor Al-Sham is a mind-blowing inlet dotted with small fishing villages and surrounded by steep, rocky cliffs. As we started our journey, I felt a sense of peace and it was a feeling I would always associate with Musandam. Our exciting cruise started with refreshments followed by a hearty lunch (Arabic food with fresh fish and fruits). Lunch was served in the yacht’s spacious dining with a dreamy view of the Omani fjords. It was so surreal! As we dined, we passed by Telegraph Island, a tiny rocky island famous for housing the British Telegraphic Relay station in the 19th century! Can you imagine being assigned to work there? Well, it’s completely isolated but in the winter season, one can swim and snorkel in the emerald, blue waters.
After lunch, our yacht anchored in the middle of the fjords, and my kids went kayaking. Everyone had fun swimming and snorkeling. I completely forgot time and just savoured every moment! I enjoyed a cup of coffee with a jaw-dropping waterscape! Musandam has probably the most picturesque view in Arabia.
After an exhilarating swim, we sailed again, relishing the never-ending beauty of the fjords. Our last stop was a short hike between the Oman Peninsula and the Indian Ocean. Our boat anchored again, and we took a speed boat to reach the foot of the Rocky Mountains in Musandam.
Hiking up the Rugged, Limestone Mountains with Two Little Kids
The 20-minute hike to the mountain is doable with two kids. Yes, it’s steep and winding way up but there’s a man-made stairway built to help hikers navigate the hike up. Yes, it was a challenge, but it was worth to climbing up! When we reached the top, we saw a panoramic scenery of the Indian Ocean dotted by the Hajjar Mountains. There are several picnic huts where you can sit back, relax and just enjoy the peace and quiet. But the most beautiful scenery up there was the sunset.
It was my first time sleeping in a boat and the middle of the sea. And I had this strange feeling that I would wake up nauseous. But that didn’t happen. It was so calm and quiet. The following morning, we were greeted by a beautiful sun peeking behind the fjords, a calm azure blue sea, and a cool breeze on our faces. But what really took my breath away was the rugged mountains and their reflection in the water! Just so amazing!
Our crew served freshly brewed coffee and fresh juices and whilst we were enjoying a cuppa with a view, a school of dolphins appeared for their early morning hunt routine! It was a sight to behold and an experience my kids dearly enjoyed. We then enjoyed a hearty breakfast as we sailed. If I only could freeze time, I would. I could live in that very moment, forever! Sadly, all good things come to an end!
Driving Back to Dubai from Musandam, Oman
The drive back to Dubai was so scenic. It was only 10 AM so we went to one of the public beaches in Musandam and had a relaxing swim. We also saw wildlife. And I think this is the part of a road trip when kids have so much fun, that is wildlife spotting. We were lucky to see lots of cormorant birds flocking on the shoreline. We also stopped by on top of a viewpoint. Then we continued our journey back to the city! Reaching the border was fairly easy and fast. We had to get our passports stamped at the entry border of Dubai and had our car inspected! All was quick and easy!
A road trip to Oman with kids is a must-do during the winter season. It’s a beautiful journey that will take you to scenic coastal towns set in between the Rocky Mountains and dotted by verdant trees. Furthermore, if you’re visiting Dubai for the first time or you’re a frequent visitor and yet haven’t experienced cruising around the fjords of Oman, then add this to your bucket list. Cruising in Oman gives you comfort, joy and a chance to be with nature, full-on. It’s an immensely fulfilling experience. And a voyage you’ll never forget!
There are different options when doing a Musandam Cruise. You can do an overnight cruise on a yacht or even go for a longer one. But if you’re short of time, then go for half day cruise because it’s doable and easy! You can book your cruise through Get Your Guide and experience a once-in-a-lifetime journey in the Indian Ocean! I bet you’ll never regret it.
