Given the long coastline dotted with sylvan and scenic spots in the country, dhow cruise in Oman has tremendous potential to drive economic growth, generate employment and benefit the hospitality industry. A cruise in a dhow, a traditional boat, is likely to be an unforgettable experience.

The sea is beautiful, and dazzled in its mutation of colors ranging from pale aquamarine, sometimes plunging into deep sapphire with a roll of the waves, at times merging into a turquoise, visually impacting against the music of the sea gulls ... and the thrashing of the waves.

A variety of services is offered to the tourists who want to savor the sea and its sights. The common three types of services offered here are chartered dhow cruise, dinner dhow cruise and the sunset dhow cruise. Besides, special services like anniversary parties, birthday parties, staff parties and picnics can be organized in the midst of the sea. Dolphin and whale watching are yet another activity which can be combined with dhow cruise.

Dhows is crafted incorporating the Omani elements of boat building in the historic town of Sur. Most of these dhows are navigated by a captain and crew having an experience of over 15 years. As sea sometimes can be rough, their experience comes in handy to tide over the crisis. Inside the dhow, an Arabic décor complete with velvet upholstery offering views through the stained glass makes the sea cruise an unforgettable experience. Outside, a raised majlis, a comfortable seating area will transport you to a blissful world. Below the deck one can marvel at the lush trappings of self-contained master bedroom and two guest bedrooms which will stimulate your romantic inhibitions. And a short flight of steps will take you to the upper deck with a panoramic view. Meals are provided on board while live band will entertain you at nights. Visitors are encouraged to sit on a suspended plank which gives them a feeling of skimming over the water. They get to have a wonderful view.

Says Zuwaina Al-Badaai, Managing Partner of Star of the Sea Tourism LLC, which organizes dhow trips in Muscat, “Dhow tourism is looking good and fulfills our objective to educate, entertain, promote and preserve unique culture and customs that add value and touch to modern lifestyle.” About 500 B.C. the early Arabs introduced the dhow: A broad-beamed shallow-draft vessel with lateen rigged sails, ideally suited for the coastal waters of the Arabian Gulf and the comparatively mild waves of the Indian Ocean. The Arabs had left an indelible mark on maritime domain; their dhows had not only carried merchandise, but had spread Islamic culture as far as Indonesia and China. Says Zuwaina, ‘What made us venture into a business like this is the fact that we continue to live in a stressful world, adventure is becoming a necessity for all age groups. The desire to be self employed coupled with a wealth of experience in this industry, was also a contributing factor to initiate the venture. We started Star of the Sea two years ago and doing pretty well. We are planning to introduce speed boats.”

She adds, "Our spectacular dhow sunset trips starts from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. taking guests along Muscat’s breathtaking coastline passing by The Sultan’s Al-Alam Palace while enjoying Omani coffee and dates. Basically we offer regular scheduled short trips, pre-designed packages and accept custom-made cruises. We need to inform people about the beauty of Oman, spread our culture with others: so our tagline reads: Explore Oman waters, the Omani way..."

The pick up point in the Muscat area is the Marina Bander Al-Rowdah which has a scenic backdrop. The cove with its colored yachts, boats and dhows bobbing gently in the waters will titillate your senses even before you embark on a cruise. The sights included in such cruises include Al-Bustan Palace, opulence at its finest, Bandar Al-Jissa, where the wind sculpted cliffs provide for a lovely spectacle, the serene Yeti Beach, the Bandar Khyran, a popular beach and a great spot for snorkeling (for which equipment is provided free of cost) and a rendezvous with frolicking dolphins and whales.

For sunset cruises, the sights are the home of British ambassador, the yacht club, the picturesque village of Sidab, followed by Muscat harbor, Jalali and Mirani forts and Al-Alam Palace.

The boat is well equipped with life jackets, life rings, life rafts, distress signal, first aid box, fire extinguishers, tender boats, etc.

With Musandum being promoted as a hot destination dhow cruises in the region are gaining popularity. A full day dhow cruise in Musandum glides though spectacular fjords anchoring at several places. Surrounded by spectacular mountains and serene remote white sand beaches, the tourists will enjoy dolphin watching, swimming and snorkeling in pristine waters teeming with friendly colorful fish before being transported to their hotels at Khasab harbor. Among the famous cruise in this region are the full-day cruise to Khor Sham and a two-day cruise to Kumzar.

There are many tourism agencies based in Marina Bander Al-Rowdah that offer dhow cruising.

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