There are plenty of places to hike and swim in the wadis in Oman while the weather is still warm. I usually stop swimming in November because the water is too cold for me, but swimming is still possible if you do not mind getting cold.
Wadis are an excellent way to cool off in warmer weather, and some hiking is involved, but it is always worth it in the end. Here is my list of suggestions for the six best wadis to escape the heat in Oman.
Wadi Qurai
This spot is about a one-hour drive north of Muscat. The easy to medium-level hike requires walking along the filaj and boulders. It takes about 40 minutes to reach the Wadi.
I have only been to this Wadi once, but I enjoyed it because of the unique boulders and would go back. The bonus is that few people come here, so it feels like you have a place for yourself. Wear shoes with a good grip. Qurai is an easy to medium level walk.
Wadi Shab
Located about an hour and a half south of Muscat, this popular spot is well-known because of the cave at the end of the Wadi and is a good choice for wadis to escape the heat in Oman.
Hike details
Visitors must pay 1 rial for a return boat ride to start the hike. Reaching the first pool takes about forty-five minutes, depending on your pace. Visitors can leave bags near the start of the first pool.
There are three pools to swim through before reaching the cave entrance. The entrance is narrow, and I do not recommend the cave to those who are claustrophobic.
Go early
Shab gets busy, so I always start around 6:30 in the morning to avoid crowds. Expect to see people arriving around 9 am. There are bathrooms near the parking lot.
Wadi Tiwi
Another popular place because of the waterfall, this spot is about a five minute drive from Shab.
The route
There are several ways to reach the waterfall, but for those who want to avoid hiking, drive to Mibam and walk down about 300 stairs. A four-wheel is needed to get the top, or a local will happily stop and drive you.
Stay under the waterfall, or go to the other side to use a rope to climb down the rocks about five meters. Then, visitors can swim through two turquoise-colored pools.
Other Info
For those who are up for hiking, you can read my post here about various routes to arrive at the waterfall. There are public restrooms just before going under the bridge when arriving at Tiwi. This is one of my favorite wadis to escape the heat in Oman.
Saiq Village
Saiq is in Al-Kamil, about an hour and forty-five minutes south of Sur. A friend of mine took me here once because there is a small wadi at the end of a short hike.
The Nature
I’ve returned four times and have always enjoyed coming here because of nature. A twenty-five-minute easy-level walk through farms, along a filaj and Wadi, will lead to a sea-green-colored pool.
Swimming with views of date trees and mountains is a beautiful way to relax and enjoy the surroundings. My short video shows details of the hike, so check it out here for highlights.
Wadi Bani Khalid
The Wadi is about an hour and a half drive south of Sur and is another good choice of a wadi to escape the heat in Oman.
Staying at the first pool
After parking, one can easily walk for about ten minutes, and there will be a pool of water. It is possible to stay here if you do not want to hike. This first pool gets crowded, so go early.
Visitors can also pass this pool by walking over a short bridge to continue hiking. After about ten minutes, there are a couple of pools to swim in.
Other details
Others come here to see the cave, which is another twenty-five minutes. This hike is easy to medium level. There is a bathroom and a restaurant. But, sometimes the restaurant is not open.
Date trees, unique crevasses, and turquoise water are reasons to come here.
Wadi Hawar
Located past Bani Khalid, this location is a good spot for a medium-to-some-parts challenging walk
There is about a forty-five-minute walk around boulders before reaching the first pool. After swimming for about twenty minutes, hiking continues before reaching the next pool.
This Wadi is a mix of swimming and hiking. Sometimes, I have hiked and only swam through a couple of pools before heading back to the starting point, which has taken about four to five hours.
Tips
Clothing
Even though you are swimming, be mindful of clothing. Some of these wadis are in villages, so respecting the locals is best. I suggest wearing yoga pants and covering your shoulders, especially because of the intense sun.
I’ve seen tourist men wear only underwear at some of these Wadis, which will make locals uncomfortable. So again, be aware and remember where you are.
Other essentials
Bring a hat, sunscreen, at least 2 liters of water, snacks like dates, and shoes with a good grip. I usually wear and swim in my hiking shoes at Wadi Hawar.
Conclusion
Enjoy these six wadis to escape the heat in Oman. The best time to swim here is from March to October to enjoy the refreshing water and take a break from the high temps.
