🌿 Nature
Wadi Shab
1.5 km hike up a palm-lined wadi to a cave swim hole — Oman's most photographed gorge.
Typical duration
300 min
Price
1 OMR boat each way; otherwise free
From port
130 km / 80.8 mi
Transfer time
135 min
Indoor / Outdoor
outdoor
Queue risk
medium
🕐 Best time to visit
Cooler morning hours; the wadi is shaded but the inlet boat ride is exposed.
Wadi Shab is a 1.5 km gorge at the foot of the Hajar Mountains where freshwater springs feed turquoise pools shaded by date palms. From the highway take a 1 OMR boat across an inlet, then walk along narrow ledges past the palms to a swim hole at the back. Strong swimmers can float through a slot canyon to a waterfall in a hidden cave. Bring grippy water shoes and a dry bag.
Getting there from the port
Cruise-line coach via highway 17; 45-min walk in plus boat at the inlet — bring swim gear.