Musandam Khasab Day Trip: Dhow Cruise & Dolphin Watching

Telegraph Island, built by the British in 1864, sits in the middle of the fjords where you swim and snorkel.

A full-day tour from Dubai to Khasab in Oman's Musandam Peninsula combines a scenic drive through the UAE coast with a 6-hour dhow cruise through dramatic fjords, dolphin watching, and snorkeling at a historic island. The tour includes hotel pickup, lunch on board, snorkeling gear, and all visa and exit fees. A multilingual guide meets you at Khasab Port to lead the cruise through bedouin villages and rugged coastal terrain. Weather and minimum passenger numbers may affect the departure.

Step-by-step itinerary

Musandam Khasab day trip and cruise

• Pickup from Dubai hotel
• Drive to Khasab via coastal road
• Meet guide at Khasab Port
• Start dhow cruise to Musandam fjords
• View bedouin villages and mountains
• Watch dolphins near the dhow
• Anchor at Telegraph Island
• Swim and snorkel at Telegraph Island
• Enjoy lunch and refreshments onboard
• Return cruise to Khasab Port
• Transfer back to Dubai hotel or mall

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your Dubai hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle, then a drive north through Ras Al Khaimah along the panoramic coastal road overlooking the Gulf of Arabia and the Strait of Hormuz. You arrive at Khasab Port, where a multilingual guide boards the traditional wooden dhow with you for the cruise into Musandam's fjords. The landscape here is steep and forbidding: no roads cross the terrain, so the sea is the main route. As the dhow moves through the water, you pass bedouin villages tucked into the mountains and watch for dolphins, which jump close to the boat for extended periods during the cruise.

The anchor point is Telegraph Island, a historical site built by the British in 1864 as a relay station for an underwater and overland telegraphic cable connecting Bombay to mainland Britain. You swim and snorkel in the calm, clear waters of the fjord around the island, with snorkeling equipment and towels provided on board. Lunch and refreshments are served during the cruise. By mid-afternoon, the dhow returns to Khasab Port, and your driver transfers you back to Dubai (to your hotel or a mall of your choice) by late evening.

The 11-hour day accounts for the drive time to and from the border, the cruise itself, and the return journey. Visa requirements depend on your nationality. Some passports require an Oman visa, and the operator covers the cost and exit fees as part of the booking. A minimum of two paying adults is required for the tour to depart, and cancellation is possible if passenger numbers fall short: in which case you receive an alternative date or partial refund.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• 6-hour dhow cruise through Musandam fjords.
• snorkeling equipment and towels.
• buffet lunch and refreshments on board.
• all fees, taxes, UAE exit fee, and Oman visa fees (where applicable).
• multilingual guide in English, Spanish, Italian, French and additional languages.

Before you book

Days and timesMondayDeparts at 06:00

Book up to8h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4)

GroupUp to 500

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by Khasab Tours

Is this one for you?This is a shared tour on a traditional wooden dhow with other travelers, led by a multilingual guide, so you follow the cruise route and stops rather than set your own pace. It suits anyone comfortable with a full day of travel and water time who wants the fjords, dolphins, and snorkeling without arranging transport or border logistics separately.

Traveler reviews

4.90★★★★★★★★★★

29 verified traveler reviews

5 ★27

4 ★1

3 ★1

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Russian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Telegraph Island and why do we stop there?

Telegraph Island is a historical British relay station built in 1864 to connect India with Britain via an underwater telegraphic cable. You stop there to swim and snorkel in the fjord's calm, clear waters, with snorkeling equipment provided.

Will we see dolphins on the dhow cruise?

Yes, dolphin watching is part of the cruise experience. Dolphins jump close to the dhow for extended periods, though sightings depend on conditions on the day.

What's included in the price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off in Dubai, the 6-hour dhow cruise, lunch and refreshments on board, snorkeling equipment and towels, all fees and taxes, UAE exit fees, and Oman visa fees (for nationalities that require one).

Do I need a visa to enter Oman?

Visa requirements depend on your nationality. Some passports allow visa-free entry. Others require an Oman visa. The operator covers the visa cost and exit fees as part of your booking, but you are responsible for confirming your own eligibility to cross the border.

How long is the drive from Dubai to Khasab?

The drive is approximately one way through Ras Al Khaimah along the coastal road. Exact duration depends on traffic at the borders. The full day is 11 hours from hotel pickup to drop-off.

What should I bring?

Wear casual clothes and bring swimwear, a towel, sun hat, and sunscreen. Snorkeling equipment is provided on the dhow. A vegetarian lunch option is available if you request it at the time of booking.