The Wadi Shuwaymiyah on the east coast of Oman is an absolute insider tip. From the deserted beach in Shuwaymiyah, its wild beauty can be explored by off-road vehicle.
The Wadi Shuwaymiyah is one of the 10 most beautiful wadis in Oman, but is hardly mentioned in any travel guide due to its remote location. The associated village of Shuwaymiyah is 840 kilometres from Muscat and 320 kilometres from Salalah. So you need some time - and an off-road vehicle - to visit the wadi.
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PICTURES: Wadi Shuwaymiyah
Photo gallery: Wadi Shuwaymiyah
Approach to Wadi Shuwaymiyah
The impressive dry valley is located on the east coast of Oman in the south of the deserted stone desert Jiddat al-Harasis. Wadi Shuwaymiyah can be reached via the monotonous NA 31, which leads through the middle of Jiddat al-Harasis, or via the more scenic but not as well developed coastal road of Oman (NA41 and NA42 from the north, NA49 and NA42 from the south).
From NA 31, shortly after passing Haima, a road branches off to the left towards Ghufos and Shalim. Shortly before Shalim the road forks, here Ash Shuwaymiyah is already signposted. The other road of the roundabout leads to Marmul and Thumrait.
Coming from the coastal road, a road in Shalim leads towards the coast and Shuwaymiyah.
Shuwaymiyah Beach
Up to the fishing village of Shuwaymiyah, the road is asphalted and ends at a kilometre-long, snow-white sandy beach, which belongs to our 10 most beautiful beaches in Oman. The coast here is mostly deserted and the panorama breathtaking! Seabirds nest on the coast and migratory birds rest on their long journey.
With a bit of luck, you may encounter sea turtles laying their eggs on the beach or spot dolphins off the coast. The rocky coast is also ideal for snorkelling. Even whales have been spotted here. There are only very basic accommodation options in Shuwaymiyah.
Exploring the Wadi Shuwaymiyah by four-wheel drive vehicle
However, the paved road ends at the beach of Shuwaymiyah; a track leads into the wadi, and even this is often washed out and difficult to recognise in the gravel bed the further you drive into the wadi. So if you want to explore the wild beauty of the wadi, you need an off-road vehicle with four-wheel drive and enough spirit of adventure.
The detour into the impressive gorge is rewarded with spectacular scenery. Steep walls, overhanging cliffs and bizarre rocks emerge under the glaring sun, their grey-brown tones broken here and there by the dark green spots of low bushes and small palm trees. In their shade, camels and gazelles can be found and now and then even the bleating of a hyena is heard. At night, owls hover ghostly through the wadi on the prowl.
Tip: There is no infrastructure in Wadi Shuwaymiyah. You have to bring your own food and drinking water. A night in the wadi under the breathtaking starry sky of the Arabian desert is certainly an unforgettable experience!
