Al Mughsail Beach, Salalah

Al Mughsail is a long beach about 40 km west of Salalah, where the Dhofar mountains meet the Arabian Sea. At its western end, blowholes in the limestone shoot sea water into the air when the waves are high.

What to see

• The blowholes and Marneef Cave.
• Flamingos and other birds in the lagoon.
• The spectacular coastal road that climbs west towards the Yemen border.

Seasons

In the khareef (June to September) the mountains turn green and mist rolls in, but the sea is rough and swimming is forbidden. From October to April the water is calmer.

Tips

Stay behind the railings at the blowholes, and never swim when red flags are flying.

Beach safety and etiquette

Swim only where it is safe: there are few lifeguards, and currents can be strong, especially during the summer monsoon (June to September) when red flags close many beaches. Dress modestly away from hotel beaches, take your rubbish home and never drive on turtle nesting beaches.

Living by the sea

Many of Oman's freehold communities sit on the coast. R2LUX sells beachfront and sea-view homes where foreigners can own; three current listings are below.