Full-Day Wadi Al Arbeieen & Bimmah Sinkhole Tour from Muscat

Seven hours wading through untouched wadis and swimming in sinkhole lakes

A full-day guided tour from Muscat takes you into Wadi Al Arbeieen, a remote wadi with abundant freshwater pools and minimal signage, then to Bimmah Sinkhole for swimming and Wadi Shab for photos and lunch at a local Omani restaurant. An English-speaking guide leads the route in a 4WD vehicle with pickup from your Muscat hotel, and you spend time swimming and relaxing in the water at each stop.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Wadi Al Arbeieen and Surroundings

• Visit Wadi Al Arbyeen
• Relax and swim in freshwater pools
• Drive to Bimmah Sinkhole
• Swim in sinkhole lake if possible
• Visit Fins Beach with white sand
• Photo stop at Wadi Shab
• Lunch at local Omani restaurant
• Photo stop at Wadi Tiwi
• Drive back to Muscat

The experience

Seven to eight hours means you leave early and return to Muscat by late afternoon. The route starts in Wadi Al Arbeieen, which requires off-road driving to reach: that rough stretch is why most travelers skip it, but it also keeps the wadi feeling untouched. You wade through the canyon with your guide, stopping to swim in the freshwater pools that dot the streambed. The further in you go, the more isolated it feels.

After Wadi Al Arbeieen, the tour continues to Bimmah Sinkhole, where you can swim in the sinkhole lake itself if conditions allow. The drive then takes you to Wadi Shab, where you stop at the entrance for photos and have lunch at a local Omani restaurant. From there, a brief photo stop at Wadi Tiwi rounds out the day before the drive back to Muscat. The guide speaks English and Arabic, and the 4WD vehicle handles the terrain so you don't need your own transport.

Bottled water is provided throughout the day. Breakfast and lunch are your responsibility, though lunch can be arranged at the restaurant in Wadi Shab. Children from age four are welcome on this tour.

What’s included

• Bottled water.
• English-speaking Omani tour guide.
• pickup and drop-off from your Muscat hotel.
• 4WD transportation throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day7 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 10:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (4 to 12 years): free · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Arabic

Audio guideEnglish and Arabic

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessiblePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Star Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to swim and relax in freshwater pools rather than hike long distances, and if you're comfortable with rough off-road driving to reach a wadi most visitors never see. The remote location and water-focused stops suit travelers who prioritize time in the water over covering many landmarks in one day.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Arabic.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years): free. Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What is Wadi Al Arbeieen like to walk through?

Wadi Al Arbeieen has freshwater pools in abundance and feels very untouched, with minimal signage or crowds. The wadi is remote enough that walking deeper into it creates an eerie, isolated feeling, especially as you move further from the entrance. You spend time wading and swimming in the pools rather than hiking a fixed trail.

Can I swim at Bimmah Sinkhole?

Swimming in the sinkhole lake is possible depending on conditions on the day of your tour. The sinkhole itself is the main stop for water time after Wadi Al Arbeieen.

What happens at Wadi Shab?

Wadi Shab is a photo stop at the beginning of the wadi where you can have lunch at a local Omani restaurant. It is not a swimming or walking stop like Wadi Al Arbeieen, but a place to eat and photograph the landscape before continuing to Wadi Tiwi.

Is the off-road driving difficult?

The stretch of off-road required to reach Wadi Al Arbeieen is rough enough that it keeps the wadi inaccessible to most travelers, but the 4WD vehicle and your guide handle the terrain. You don't need special driving experience to be a passenger.

What should I bring for this tour?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and water shoes or sandals for wading. Bottled water is provided by the tour. Sunscreen and a hat are recommended for the time spent in the wadis, and you'll want a change of clothes for after swimming.