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Town in Musandam Governorate, Oman
Photo: StellarD, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Khasab (Arabic: خصب) is a city in the northwest Omani exclave of Musandam and home to about 18,000 inhabitants. It is the state capital of the Musandam peninsula on the coast of the Hormuz Strait between Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Oman.
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The traditional port for dhow boats is a place where you can appreciate and enjoy typical photogenic boats from this region – nowadays most of them are motorised. You can easily find boats here to take you on a sea cruise.
Khasab is known for its Iranian smugglers. Daily hundreds of small jet boats cross the Strait of Hormuz from the southern Iranian cities of Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island, bringing over goats and sheep destined for the UAE, and porting back such diverse items as televisions, cigarettes, and other goods in an effort to avoid Iranian import duties. The smugglers' fortunes fluctuate with the value of the Iranian currency and with the effects of international sanctions. It's a dangerous business, as they must avoid not only very heavy shipping traffic but also the Iranian Coast Guard, which has no qualms of shooting them on sight – spotters on the Iranian side help by tracking the coast guard's movements. Because Khasab is a free trade port the Omani authorities tolerate this practice, provided the activities only take place during daylight hours. Toward sunset the activity gets especially frenetic as they pack up their wares to leave again.
The Portuguese constructed this fortress in the beginning of the 17th century and occupied it until their withdrawal from the region. This castle, which housed the Wali and his family in recent centuries and once held prisoners, has been restored and transformed into a regional museum. In the courtyard of the castle are boats and houses representative of the unique heritage of Musandam.
Alkmazrh Fort / Khmazera Castle
This fort is inside the city and it seems to belong to a specific tribe among the local people. The fort is taken care by the tribe's youngsters, who are proud of their ancestral possession.
Hidden inside Khasab's old city, you can visit and explore the beautiful palm groves, which supply local people with some dates.
Sultan Qaboos Mosque
The central mosque in the south of the city was completed in 2009, and is an important landmark. It has a capacity of 1900 worshippers and, just like many other large mosques in Oman, is named after the current sultan.
A great way to appreciate the dramatic coastline is to take a cruise in a dhow. Cruises depart from the main Khasab port and travel through Khor Ash Sham, the largest and one of the more scenic fjords. Highlights include dolphin-watching, visits to Telegraph Island (Jazirat al Maqlab) with its abandoned 19th-century British telegraph station, and snorkeling in the surrounding waters. Full-day cruises continue on to Seebi Island (Jazirat Sibi), with possible detours to one or more traditional fishing villages, and more snorkelling.
The dhow operator will provide all snorkelling equipment, along with drinks and a snack for the half-day excursion, or lunch for the full-day outing. Any of the agencies in town can arrange this but possibly the easiest way to book a trip is through the front desk of your hotel.
The diving season runs from April through January, and the best time to see whale sharks is between May and October. Most dive spots are also suitable for snorkeling. In addition to the dive centres listed below, the Atana Khasab (listed under 'sleep') has its own dive centre.
Offers diving courses, diving, snorkelling and fishing excursions, and rents out equipment.
Offers PADI courses and diving trips.
Ru'us al-Jabal Mountains
Khasab is a good base to stage a mountain safari and explore the rugged northernmost extremity of the Western Hajar Mountains. If you don't have your own 4WD vehicle, you can rent one or arrange a guided tour through one of the travel agencies in town. Highlights include the prehistoric petroglyphs of Tawi Village and the Musandam Peninsula's highest point, Jebel Harim (2087 m). At the mountain top is a military radar station, so going to the top requires permission and most tours therefore stop at 1600 m above sea level near the military barracks.
Bossa Beach
A pleasant beach popular with locals, with picnic and toilet facilities.
As the temperature is far more pleasant during the evening, you can stroll around the city center along the avenue and center mosque. Also, there are a couple of gardens that are open by night, where you can see families playing with their children.
The oldest agency in Khasab has been operating since 1992. Also has a representative in the Esra Hotel Apartments as well as an office in Dubai.
Khasab Musandam tourism company.
They offer dhow cruises.
Specializes in grilled seafood.
Local meat and fish dishes in this restaurant in centre of the city. Expect to pay from RO 1-2 depending on what you eat. Some vegetarian/vegan options.
Very good grill restaurant at the main square. Popular for local fish and meat dishes.
Serves freshly cooked food, including grills, Indian and Arabic cuisine, tandoori, pizzas, fresh juices, and fresh brewed coffee.
A popular Persian restaurant which also serves some vegetarian and vegan options.
In essence two apartment buildings for up to 30 people in ca. 16 rooms. Rooms are non-smoking with kitchenettes and free Wi-Fi. There is an onsite coffee shop.
Very basic accommodation, cash only. Free Wi-Fi.
Double, triple, deluxe and family rooms. Swimming pool and restaurant. Free internet access and airport pick-up.
Has an on-site restaurant, free Wi-Fi, and free shuttle service.
formerly known as the Golden Tulip Hotel
Sea view rooms, swimming and children pool plus play area, gym, WiFi. Licensed with an onsite restaurant. Offers free shuttle service between the hotel and anywhere in Khasab – they will also pick you up if you call. This is the default hotel for package tourists and larger groups, and generally is completely booked at the weekend.
Khasab's newest hotel has 110 rooms, each with private balcony or terrace. Other facilities include nonsmoking rooms, an onsite licensed restaurant, fitness and dive centre, pool, and free Wi-Fi.
Largest supermarket in Musandam with huge range of products (food/non-food).
Many local Musandam handicraft and Omani souvenirs are for sale in the shop inside Khasab Castle. Very friendly staff.
The old souq is a good place to pick up hand-crafted walking sticks, the more elaborate of which are decorated with silver.
At the tiny Sikkit market in centre town you can buy fresh dates.
By plane
By ferry
By cruise ship
Passengers disembarking at the Khasab cruise ship terminal will find free shuttle buses to take them to the city centre, as well as tour operators who charge considerably less than the cruise line…
By road
You can easily drive from Dubai or any of the other emirates by heading north on the E11 motorway towards Ras al Khaimah, and then on to the Al Darah border post, after which the road becomes the…
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