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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 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.