Wadi Bani Khalid: year-round pools in the Sharqiyah mountains

Wadi Bani Khalid is one of the few wadis in Oman with water all year round. Its turquoise pools, framed by palms and pale rock, sit in the mountains of the Sharqiyah, about two and a half hours from Muscat.

What to see

• The main pools, a short walk from the car park, with shaded areas and a café.
• The upper pools and gorge, reached by scrambling over rocks.
• Muqal Cave, further up the wadi, for those with a torch and a sense of adventure.

Swimming and dress

Swimming is allowed in the pools, but visitors should wear modest swimwear (shorts and T-shirts are common) and cover up on the paths through the village. Signs explain the rules.

Getting there

A paved road leads from the Muscat–Sur highway into the mountains. The wadi is about an hour from Sur and 45 minutes from the Sharqiya Sands.

Tips

Go early on weekdays; weekends are busy with families. Combine with a night in a desert camp in the Sharqiya Sands.

Staying near and owning a home

Most visitors explore Oman from a base in Muscat. If you are thinking of buying, R2LUX sells homes in the communities where foreigners can own; three current listings are below.