Musandam Khasab Dolphin Tour With Half Day Dhow Cruise
Three hours through the Musandam fjords on a traditional Omani dhow. Dolphins most days, a swim stop at Telegraph Island, refreshments on board. Take the morning if you can.
⭐ 4.9/5 · 128 Verified Guest Reviews
📍 Khasab Port · Morning and Afternoon Departures
🔄 Free Cancellation, 48 Hrs Shared · 07 Days Private
AED 125 Per Person
💳 Book Now, Pay Later
Season
Oct to Mid May
Solo Friendly
Yes
Tour Type
Shared
Duration
03:00 Hrs
Reporting Time
09:00 am, 01:00 pm
Meeting Point
Khasab Port
Dolphins are the reason most people book this one, and the morning run sees them more often. You drive yourself to Khasab port, board a shared dhow and head into Khor Sham, which is where the dolphins usually are. There’s a snorkeling stop at Telegraph Island before the boat turns back. Morning departures run 09:30 to 12:30, afternoons 13:30 to 16:30.
The Details
Tour Overview
🗺️ Tour Activities
✓ Half day dhow cruise, 03 hours
✓ Dolphin watching while cruising
✓ Telegraph Island snorkeling
✓ View of fishing villages
✓ Kayaking and sightseeing
✅ What’s Included
✓ Snorkeling gear and life jackets
✓ Water, soft drinks, coffee and tea
✓ Fruits, apples, bananas and oranges
✓ Cushions and carpets on deck
✓ Toilet and shower facility on board
❌ Not Included
✗ UAE exit fees AED 35 per person
✗ Oman visa fee, AED 50 per person, if required
✗ Personal expenses
Khasab Dolphin Tour, Morning or Afternoon
Both departures cover the same route through Khor Sham. The difference is the odds. Our crew runs both slots every day of the season, and the morning boat sees dolphins more often, which is why we point people at it when the choice is open.
Spinner and humpback dolphins are both common at the fjord entrance. Spinners travel in bigger groups and are the ones you’ll see leaving the water. When they show up the crew cuts the engine and lets the boat drift, so they come to us instead of the other way round.
This is the Khasab side of Musandam, where dolphins are around all year rather than only in winter, which is why we run this cruise year round. They’re not on the Dibba route at all. They’re wild, so nobody can promise them. Most mornings they turn up. On the days they don’t, you still get Khor Sham, Telegraph Island and the swim stop.
Three Hours In The Khasab Fjords
The half day dhow cruise is the shorter option for guests based in Khasab or those with limited time. Three hours on the water covering the best of Khor Sham. The dhow leaves Khasab port at 9:30 AM or 1:30 PM and heads into the 17 kilometer fjord past the fishing village of Nadafi.
Spinner dolphins and humpback dolphins are common at the fjord entrance. The one stop is Telegraph Island, named after the British relay station built here in 1864 for the first submarine telegraph cable.
Snorkeling gear and kayaks go in the water. The reef is shallow and clear. The dhow turns back by midday. AED 125 per person, no lunch served. For Seebi Island and lunch on deck, the full day cruise is the right choice.
Hour By Hour
Musandam Khasab Dolphin Tour Itinerary
Departure and Itinerary
Morning departure: 09:30 am from Khasab port, returns 12:30 pm. Afternoon departure: 01:30 pm and returns 4:30 pm. The itinerary below follows the morning schedule. Afternoon departure follows the same route and activities starting 04 hours later.
09:00 AM — Board the Dhow at Khasab Port
Your dhow and crew are ready at the dock. Board when you arrive, get settled on deck and the crew serves Arabic coffee, tea and fresh fruits while the boat prepares to leave.
09:30 AM — Into the Khasab Fjords
The dhow leaves Khasab port and heads into Khor Sham, a 17 kilometer sheltered fjord with limestone walls rising on both sides. En route the boat passes the fishing villages of Nadafi, Qanaha and Maqlab accessible only by boat.
10:00 AM — Dolphins
Spinner dolphins and humpback dolphins are both common in these waters. The crew cuts the engine when they appear and most groups see them at close range. The boat waits before continuing deeper into the fjord.
10:30 AM — Telegraph Island
The dhow anchors at Telegraph Island where British engineers built a relay station for the first submarine telegraph cable. Snorkeling gear and kayaks are provided for guests who want a closer look at the coral and reef fish around the island.
12:30 PM — Return to Khasab Port
Return to Khasab Port. The dhow turns back toward Khasab port, arriving around 12:30 PM as the tour comes to an end.
Real Stories
What Our Guests Say
Booked an all inclusive Dubai to Musandam day trip, would highly recommend. Great communication from start to finish, picked us up from where we were staying. Assistance provided with border crossing. Dhow boat trip was amazing, seen lots of dolphins, had a wonderful lunch and snorkeled in beautiful turquoise waters. All at a very reasonably priced.
Jennifer Kerrisk - UK
Verified Google Review
My friend and I chose to do a day trip from Dubai and this was perfect! we had an amazing experience with the driver and hosts they settled and handled everything for us, including direct hotel pick up and border crossing. We saw dolphins multiple times and got to snorkel at two beautiful Islands. This company is really 10/10 on everything from booking to the tour itself.
Alya Rasyiqah - Singapore
Verified Google Review
We had such a great time today on the Musandam trip. Rehan organised everything perfectly. Our taxi driver, Zakeen, was excellent and drove us safely and comfortably. On the boat, Captain Mohar and Kumar were incredible – they took amazing care of us from start to finish. From the fishing to the food, every detail was handled with so much attention and kindness.
Xarius Gander - UK
Verified Google Review
FAQs
Musandam Khasab Dolphin Tour FAQs
Will I see dolphins on this tour?
Most days, yes. Spinner and humpback dolphins live around the entrance to Khor Sham, and the crew stops the boat and lets them come to it rather than chasing. They are wild, so there is no guarantee, but trips without a sighting are uncommon.
Is the morning or afternoon better for dolphins?
Morning. Both departures follow the same route, but the 9:30 boat sees them more often. We run both slots every day through the season, so that comes from what the crew sees rather than a guess. Take the morning if your day allows.
What time does the dhow depart and where is the port?
The morning departure leaves Khasab port at 9:30 AM and returns by 12:30 PM. The afternoon departure leaves at 1:30 PM and returns by 4:30 PM. Be dockside at least 15 minutes before departure. We send a Google Maps link and full directions via WhatsApp the evening before.
How many guests are on the boat and how far ahead should I book?
Boat size varies by day, our fleet includes vessels for 15, 35 and 50 guests, and the exact boat is confirmed the morning of departure based on total bookings. Weekend departures tend to fill up quickly, so booking a few days ahead is recommended if you’re planning a Saturday or Sunday trip.
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. The dhow has shaded seating on deck throughout.
What is the difference between the half day and full day cruise?
The half day cruise covers Khor Sham, dolphin watching and Telegraph Island in three hours. The full day cruise continues to Seebi Island and includes lunch on deck. If you have a full day available, the full day cruise is the better choice.
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.
What is the cancellation and deposit policy?
A 50% deposit is required to confirm your booking. Cancellations made 48 hours or more before departure receive a full refund within 7 days. Cancellations within 48 hours of departure are non-refundable and the deposit cannot be used toward a future booking.
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
✗ 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.
Booking and Cancellation
✓A 50% deposit is required to confirm your booking. Without deposit booking cannot be confirmed.
✓Cancellations made 48 hours or more before departure receive a full refund within 7 days.
✓Cancellations within 48 hours 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 Half Day Dhow Cruise?
You might also like
All inclusive Musandam Khasab tour from Dubai, Sharjah and RAK full day cruise with lunch and refreshments.
Self drive to Khasab port for a full day dhow cruise, dolphins, Telegraph Island, snorkeling and lunch on deck.
Half day cruise and mountain safari in one full day. Dolphins, Telegraph Island, Khor Najd and Jebel Al Harim.