Musandam Overnight Dhow Cruise
The Musandam overnight dhow cruise is a private dhow cruise in the Khasab fjords, with the option to add private transport from Dubai. 23 hours on the water, dolphins, BBQ dinner on deck, sleeping under the stars and breakfast at sunrise.
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📍 Khasab Port · Morning and Evening Departures
🔄 Instant Booking Confirmation
From AED 2,000 Private Boat
💳 Book Now, Pay Later
Season
Oct to Mid May
Solo Friendly
No
Tour Type
Private
Tour Duration
23:00 Hrs
Reporting Time
09:30 am, 04:30 pm
Meeting Point
Khasab Port
Guests drive themselves to Khasab port or add private transport from the UAE and board a private boat for the full 23 hours from Khasab Oman port. The dhow anchors deep in Khor Sham for the night, with snorkeling stops at Telegraph Island and Seebi Island along the way. Once the sun sets the fjord goes quiet, with only the boat’s lights and the stars overhead. Morning and evening departure times are both available, so you can pick what suits your schedule.
The Details
Tour Overview
🗺️ Tour Activities
✓ 23 hours on private boat in fjords
✓ Dolphin watching while cruising
✓ Telegraph Island snorkeling
✓ Seebi Island snorkeling
✓ View of fishing villages
✓ Fishing with handlines
✓ Kayaking, one kayak included
✓ Live BBQ and cooking if possible
✅ What’s Included
✓ Lunch, BBQ dinner and breakfast
✓ Fruits, apples, bananas and oranges
✓ Water, soft drinks, coffee and tea
✓ Snorkeling gear and life jackets
✓ Towels, toilet and shower facility
✓ Cushions and carpets on deck
✓ On deck sleeping arrangements
✓ Bluetooth enabled music system
❌ Not Included
✗ UAE exit fees AED 35 per person
✗ Oman visa fee, AED 50 per person, if required
✗ Extra kayaks, AED 300 per day
✗ Personal expenses
The Difference
A Night In The Khasab Fjords
The overnight dhow cruise in the Khasab fjords is a private charter. The boat is yours for 23 hours. Morning departures leave Khasab port at 10:00 AM and return by 9:00 AM the next morning. Evening departures leave at 5:00 PM and return by 4:00 PM the next day.
The dhow heads into Khor Sham past the fishing villages of Nadafi, Qanaha, Maqlab and Sham. Dolphins are common at the fjord entrance. The boat anchors between Telegraph Island and Seebi Island for the night. BBQ dinner comes out on deck as the sun goes down. The fjord is completely quiet after dark. Breakfast is served at sunrise before the dhow turns back toward Khasab port. AED 2,000 covers the private boat, all meals and crew.
Hour By Hour
Musandam Overnight Dhow Cruise Itinerary
Departure and Itinerary
Morning departure: 10:00 AM from Khasab port, returns 9:00 AM next day. Evening departure: 5:00 PM from Khasab port, returns 4:00 PM next day. The itinerary below follows the morning schedule. Evening departure follows the same route and activities starting 7 hours later.
09:30 AM — Board the Dhow at Khasab Port
Your private dhow and crew are ready at the dock. Board when you arrive, get settled on deck and the crew will serve Arabic coffee, tea, fresh fruits and soft drinks while the boat prepares to depart.
10:00 AM — Into the Khasab Fjords
The dhow leaves Khasab port and turns into Khor Sham. Limestone walls rise on both sides as the boat moves deeper into the fjord and the water changes color the further in you go.
10:45 AM — Dolphins
Spinner dolphins are common in these waters and most groups see them here. The crew slows the boat and gives everyone time to watch. What happens next is different every time. Some pods follow the dhow for minutes, spinning and surfacing alongside the boat. Others cross in front of the dhow in groups before disappearing back into the blue.
12:00 PM — Telegraph Island
The dhow anchors at Telegraph Island, named after the British relay station built here in the 1860s to carry the first underwater telegraph cable to India. The ruins sit above the waterline. Below it the water is calm and clear. Snorkeling gear and kayaks are ready on deck whenever you want them.
01:00 PM — Lunch on Deck
The crew brings lunch out on deck as the dhow moves toward Seebi Island. Green salad, hummus, Arabic bread, biryani rice, white rice, chicken curry, beef potato curry, fried chicken, fried fish, vegetable gravy and dal fry, with soft drinks and water throughout.
02:30 PM — Seebi Island
Seebi Island sits at the far end of Khor Sham and the water around it is some of the clearest on the entire route. Coral reefs run close to the surface, the fish are more colorful here than anywhere else on the route and the shallow sandy areas make it comfortable for all ages to swim without going deep.
05:00 PM — Anchor Overnight in the Fjords
The dhow finds its spot deep in Khor Sham and drops anchor for the night. The limestone walls rise on both sides, the water flattens out as the wind drops and the fjords go quiet. This is where most guests realise the day cruise and the overnight are two completely different experiences.
07:30 PM — BBQ Dinner on Deck
The crew brings dinner out on deck as the sun sets over the mountains. Grilled chicken, kebabs, fried fish, rice, Arabic bread, hummus and salad served under the open sky. Soft drinks and water throughout.
07:00 AM — Breakfast on Deck
The crew serves breakfast on deck as the fjords come to life in the morning light. Boiled eggs, yogurt, jam, bread, coffee, tea and fresh juice to start the day anchored in one of the most quiet places in the region.
09:00 AM — Return to Khasab Port
The dhow turns back toward Khasab port as the morning settles over the mountains. Twenty three hours on the water, two islands, dolphins, dinner under the stars and a night anchored in the fjords.
Pickup From UAE
If you book the transport from UAE, your driver picks up from your given location. Exact pickup time and driver details are confirmed the night before departure on WhatsApp.
Real Stories
What Our Guests Say
We had a fantastic time and opted for the transport to and from Dubai, which was perfectly comfortable. The kids loved the adventure and sleeping on the dhow was a real novelty for all. We saw lots of dolphins and enjoyed the swimming and the scenery. The dhow was clean, the WC was good and the crew were so friendly. We will be back soon with friends and family to this amazing place. The kind of trip you just have to take people on.
Becky Jackson - Dubai
Musandam Overnight Dhow Cruise
Booked the overnight cruise for my husband’s birthday and it completely delivered. We anchored in this narrow fjord just as the sun went down, and by 9pm the sky was full of stars with zero light pollution. Dinner was grilled fish caught earlier that day. Sleeping arrangements are basic, not luxury, but you’re not really there for the room, you’re there for the silence and the view. Already looking at dates to go back.
Mark T. - United Kingdom
Musandam Overnight Dhow Cruise
My mum, sister and I recently did an overnight tour and we had the boat all to ourselves. It felt like VIP access. The tour absolutely exceeded our expectations in every way. Our captain and guide were very hospitable, ensuring we always had food and water and went out of their way to make us feel comfortable. Waking up on the water the next morning was just a dream, an experience I will forever keep with me.
Gloria Calescu - Australia
Musandam Overnight Dhow Cruise
FAQs
Musandam Overnight Dhow Cruise FAQs
What time does the dhow depart and return?
The dhow offers two departure options. The morning departure leaves Khasab port at 10:00 AM and returns by 9:00 AM the following day. The evening departure leaves at 5:00 PM and returns by 4:00 PM the following day. Both options cover 23 hours on the water. Let us know your preferred departure time at the time of booking.
How many guests can the boat accommodate?
The standard single deck dhow accommodates up to 8 guests. For larger groups we have medium double deck boats for up to 20 guests and larger vessels for up to 30 guests. Contact us with your group size and we will recommend the right boat and provide a quote accordingly.
Is this tour suitable for non-swimmers and children?
Yes, this tour is suitable for all ages and non-swimmers are welcome. Life jackets are provided for all water activities and you are not required to swim or snorkel to enjoy the day.
What food and refreshments are included?
Arabic coffee, tea, fresh fruits and soft drinks are served from the moment you board the dhow. Lunch is served on deck at 01:00 PM, BBQ dinner around 7:00 pm and breakfast around 07:30 am. Unlimited soft drinks and water are available throughout the day.
What sleeping arrangements are provided on deck?
As these are wooden dhows and don’t have rooms and cabins so we make all sleeping arrangements on the boat deck under the shades. We provide mattresses, blankets, pillows, and bed sheets.
What happens if the tour is cancelled due to bad weather or sea conditions?
If we cancel the tour due to unsafe sea conditions you receive a full refund within 7 days. You also have the option to reschedule to any available date at no extra charge. We monitor conditions 24 hours before departure and notify all guests by WhatsApp if there is any change to the schedule.
Still Have Questions?
Before You Travel
Border Requirements
🛂 Documents Validity
✓ Passport: Minimum 3 months validity from travel date.
✓ Emirates ID: UAE residents, minimum 90 days validity. Required for some nationalities.
✓ Multiple passports: If you have multiple passports, bring all at border.
✓ Original documents only, no photocopies accepted.
⛔ Visa Restrictions Full requirements are in our Musandam visa requirements guide.
✗ Single entry visa holders not permitted (some nationalities).
✗ Visa in process, pending status or cancelled not accepted.
✗ Dependent visa holders must be accompanied by their sponsor.
✓ We confirm your visa eligibility at the time of booking.
🚗 Vehicle Requirements
✓ Vehicle registration card (Mulkiya) and owner required at the border.
✓ Car insurance for Oman is required. Available at the border, around 100 AED.
✗ Rented vehicles require a NOC from the rental company to cross the border.
✗ Bank financed or mortgaged vehicles are not allowed to cross the border.
Good To Know
Important Information
About This Tour
🌊 Difficulty, moderate, suitable for all ages
☀️ Best season, October to Mid May
🛳️ Boat assigned according to guests
🍱 Lunch, dinner and breakfast included
🔄 Morning and evening departures available
What To Bring
🛂️ Passport (original)
🪪 Emirates ID (UAE residents)
🩳 Swimming clothes
☀️ Sun protection
🎒 Small bag for valuables
No Surprises
Booking and Cancellation
✓A 50% deposit is required to confirm your booking. Without deposit booking cannot be confirmed.
✓Cancellations made 07 days or more before departure receive a full refund within 7 days.
✓Cancellations within 07 days of departure are non-refundable. The deposit cannot be used towards a future booking
✓ Weather cancellation: full refund within 7 days or free reschedule according to available dates.
Weekend departures fill up quickly. Book a few days ahead if you’re planning a Saturday or Sunday trip.
Ready To Book The Musandam Overnight Dhow Cruise?
We confirm your booking within minutes, no waiting, no forms. Driving yourself? See the border crossings guide, or compare every option on our Khasab Oman tour packages page.
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