Oman

From CruisersWiki

Oman

An online cruising guide for yachts sailing to Oman.

Overview

The Sultanate of Oman is the second largest country in the Arabian Gulf, with a total area of approximately 309,000 square kilometers (120,000 square miles). It occupies the South Eastern corner of the Arabian Gulf.

The Sultanate borders with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in the West, the Republic of Yemen in the South, the Straits of Hormuz in the North and the Arabian Sea in the East.

Its coastline stretches for 1,700 kilometers from the Straits of Hormuz in the North to the borders of the Republic of Yemen in the South.

Cruising the region

Climate & Weather

Annual rainfall in Muscat averages 10 cm (4 in), falling mostly in January. Dhofar is subject to the southwest monsoon, and rainfall up to 64 cm (25 in) has been recorded in the rainy season from late June to October. While the mountain areas receive more plentiful rainfall, some parts of the coast, particularly near the island of Masirah, sometimes receive no rain at all within the course of a year. The climate generally is very hot, with temperatures reaching 54°C (129°F) in the hot season, from May to October.

Sources for weather information:

Charts

Source

Chart

Special Navigation Notes

Any navigation notes here.

Local Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser's Nets

Submit details of Cruiser's Nets and VHF operating/calling channels here.

Arrival/Departure procedures

Call Port Control on VHF 16 an hour before arrival. Permission will be given to enter the port and directions given as to where to proceed to for clearance - 24/7. You will be boarded by quarantine, immigration, customs and port officials. Do not go ashore before clearance formalities have been completed. All crew's passports as well as the ship's papers will be held until your departure.

Clearing out is fairly complicated and time-consuming and entails visits to all the admin offices in turn, starting with the police and finally with the harbour master. Local agents for yachts are not a requirement but are somewhat advantageous.

A cruising permit for Oman is obtainable from the Royal Oman Police (ROP) in their port office at Mina Qaboos - valid from the 1st January till the 31st of December at a cost of 150 O.R. (roughly $US400).

Immigration

Visas are required by all nationals except those of the Gulf States.

For those arriving by yacht, a 30 day visa will be issued by Immigration for citizens of The European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruquay, French Guiana, Australia, Canada, USA, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey, Brunei, Lebanon, Indonesia, Malaysia, Seychelles, South Africa, Taiwan, Tunis.

Nationals of the following countries are only issued visas when arriving as part of a organised tour group: Egypt, Iran, India, Jordan, Albania, Morocco, Syria, Ukrain, Russia and Bosnia.

Should you arrive without a visa (if you require one) you will not be allowed to leave the port.

Israeli passport holders, and those with evidence of travel to Israel, will be denied entry.

Customs

• Firearms and ammunition MUST be declared on arrival.
• PETS: Dogs are NOT allowed ashore

Health

Submit any health warnings/information

• Malaria prophylaxis is recommended.

Security

Detail?

Fees and Charges

• Immigration and customs fee: 15 Omani rial ($US40) per yacht.
• Visa fee: 6 O.R. per person.
• Oman Cruising permit: 150 O.R ($US400) - valid from Jan to Dec.

Ports & Popular Stops

• Port Salalah (Port of entry)
• Mina al Fahal (Port of entry)
• Marina Bander Al Rowdha (Muscat) (Port of entry)

Offshore Islands

Details?

Cruiser's Friends

Submit details/contacts of cruiser's "friends" that can be contacted in advance or on arrival - who can offer information and assistance to our cruising "family".

References & Publications

Books, Guides, etc.

Links to Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

External Links

Submit useful website links for the region

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Comments

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