Telegraph Island Snorkeling: Dhow Cruise & Mountain Safari

Anchor in the fjord, swim the reef, then climb into the mountains in one morning

A half-day dhow cruise and half-day mountain safari from Khasab that combines snorkeling near Telegraph Island with a 4x4 drive into the Musandam Peninsula. The cruise takes you to Khor Sham fjord to watch dolphins and snorkel among colored reef fish. The mountain portion climbs to viewpoints at 6,000 feet and passes through the Bedouin village of Sayah. Lunch, snorkeling gear and hotel pickup are included. The full outing runs six to seven hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Cruise and mountain safari with picnic

• Join dhow cruise in Khasab
• Watch dolphins in Khor Sham fjord
• Swim and snorkel near Telegraph Island
• Drive 4x4 into Musandam mountains
• Stop at mountain viewpoints
• Visit Sayah village and Bedouin house

The experience

The dhow, a traditional wooden sailing boat, leaves from Khasab harbor and heads into Khor Sham fjord, where the water is clear enough to see the seafloor. You'll anchor near Telegraph Island, a historic site where you enter the water with snorkeling equipment already provided and swim among colored fish and coral. Dolphins live in these fjords year-round, though sightings are never guaranteed. The boat carries bottled water and coffee or tea while you're on the water.

After the cruise, a 4x4 vehicle takes you inland and upward into the Musandam Peninsula mountains. The drive climbs to 6,000 feet above sea level, stopping at viewpoints along the way. You'll pass through Sayah, a small Bedouin village built into the hillside where people still live in the traditional way. The landscape here is bare rock and sparse vegetation: fossils of ancient fish are visible in the stone. Lunch happens during this portion of the day.

The whole experience is built around seeing two very different sides of Musandam in a single outing: the sea life and fjords below, then the high desert and mountain villages above. Hotel pickup is included, so you don't arrange transport to the starting point.

What’s included

• Snorkeling equipment and use of it near Telegraph Island.
• lunch.
• bottled water, coffee and tea.
• air-conditioned 4x4 vehicle for the mountain portion.
• hotel pickup.

Options for this experience

2 options

For 4 Adults09:00Includes pickup

Cruise Line Excursion09:00Requires 1 adult; pickup is included

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to1d before

GroupUp to 20

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 9 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 yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Musandam Dhow Tours & Arab Expedition

Is this one for you?Choose this if your schedule allows only one day to experience both the coast and mountains. You'll split time between snorkeling at Telegraph Island and a mountain drive to 1,800 meters, rather than committing a full day to either landscape alone.

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Top questions

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 near Telegraph Island?

The water around Telegraph Island is clear and shallow enough to see colored fish and coral formations on the bottom. The site is sheltered inside Khor Sham fjord, so conditions are generally calm. Snorkeling equipment is provided, and you enter the water directly from the anchored dhow.

Will I see dolphins on the cruise?

Dolphins live in Khor Sham fjord year-round, but sightings depend on the day and the season. The dhow crew knows where they're most likely to appear, but there's no guarantee you'll spot them on any given outing.

How high do we go in the mountains, and what's the drive like?

The 4x4 climbs to 6,000 feet above sea level in the Musandam Peninsula, with stops at viewpoints along the way. The vehicle is air-conditioned, and the route passes through the Bedouin village of Sayah before descending. The mountain portion takes several hours of the six- to seven-hour total outing.

What should I bring or wear?

Bring sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for both the boat and the mountain drive. Wear swimwear under your clothes so you're ready to snorkel. The snorkeling equipment (mask, fins and snorkel) is provided. The vehicle is air-conditioned, but the mountain air is cooler at 6,000 feet, so a light layer helps.