Snorkeling in Khasab: Full-Day Dhow Cruise with Dolphins

Snorkel the fjords, then drift past dolphins jumping alongside the boat.

A full-day dhow cruise from Khasab combines snorkeling and swimming in clear water with visits to five fishing villages reachable only by boat (Nadifi, Qanah, Maqlab, Sham and Seebi), and Telegraph Island, where the British laid an undersea cable to London in 1864. The boat provides snorkeling equipment, towels and life vests. Lunch and refreshments are served on board. Pickup is included. Children from age one are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day dhow cruise with activities

• Board traditional dhow boat
• Cruise through fjords
• Visit fishing villages
• Snorkel and swim in clear waters
• Watch jumping dolphins
• Cruise to Seebi Island
• Enjoy refreshments and buffet lunch

The experience

The day starts with a traditional wooden dhow that carries you into the fjords beneath the Al-Hajar Mountains. You get snorkeling equipment and a life vest, then slip into the water at stops where the visibility is clear enough to see the bottom. Between swims, the boat moves to the next village or landmark, and humpback dolphins often appear alongside as you cruise. The villages, fishing settlements built into the valleys, are accessible only by water, so you see a side of the coast that road travel cannot reach.

Telegraph Island is the standout stop: a small rocky outcrop where the British buried an undersea telegraph cable in 1864, connecting India to London through the Strait of Hormuz. You can swim around it and walk the island itself. The five fishing villages each offer a different angle on how people live along this coast, with traditional boats and houses built into the cliffs. Refreshments, fruit and Arabic coffee arrive throughout the morning. A buffet lunch is served on board in the afternoon.

The full day runs about six hours on the water. Towels and all snorkeling gear are provided, so you only need to bring sunscreen and a swimsuit. The boat is well-maintained with the amenities needed for a full day at sea, and the pace allows time to actually snorkel rather than rush between stops.

What’s included

• Snorkeling equipment, life vest and towels.
• buffet lunch.
• refreshments, fruit, Arabic coffee and soft drinks.
• visits to five fishing villages and Telegraph Island.
• hotel pickup in Khasab.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

AgesAdult (8 to 70 years) · Child (4 to 7 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years): free

GroupUp to 25

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditions

Operated by Arabian Musandam Tours

Is this one for you?You do the snorkeling yourself in a shared boat with other travelers, so this suits anyone comfortable in the water who wants to explore the coast at their own pace rather than watch from the deck. The full day means you have time at each stop instead of a quick dip and move on.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 7 years); Infant (1 to 3 years): free.

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's the water like for snorkeling around Khasab?

The water is clear enough to see the bottom at the snorkeling stops, and the dhow visits multiple sites so you can choose where to enter. Humpback dolphins often swim past the boat during the cruise, though sightings are not guaranteed.

Do I need my own snorkeling gear or is it provided?

Snorkeling equipment, towels and life vests are all provided on board. You bring a swimsuit and sunscreen. The boat supplies the rest.

What are the fishing villages like that we visit?

The five villages (Nadifi, Qanah, Maqlab, Sham and Seebi) are traditional settlements built into the valleys along the coast and are reachable only by boat. They show the everyday life and architecture of the region, with fishing boats and houses set against the cliffs.

Is lunch included, and what kind of food is served?

A buffet lunch is served on board, along with refreshments, fruit and Arabic coffee throughout the day. Soft drinks and bottled water are also provided.

Does the cruise include hotel pickup?

Yes, pickup is included in the booking. If you are staying outside Khasab, confirm your location when you reserve.