Understand []. Masirah, an island off the south-east coast of Oman, is the latest area of the country to open up to tourism. They don’t only have seafood but … It is true that it is far from Muscat, but it can be worth the drive. If you want to bring your car, it wil cost OMR 16 for a normal car and OMR 20 for a four wheel drive. In the north of the island, near the military base built by the RAF, a Celtic cross was put up in memory of the shipwreck of Baron Inverdale and his crew in 1904. Travel Blog India. Regards, 0 votes. If you are renting a car, you will need an International Driving Permit. Masirah Island is a beautiful yet desolated place located on the coast of Oman, in the Indian Ocean. It is 95 km long north-south, between 12 and 14 km wide, and has an area of about 649 sq kms. Oman Air, Jet Airways, IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet and Air India Express can be taken to reach Muscat from India. The new route is named ‘Muscat-Shannah-Masirah’ included Mwasalat buses as well as the NFC’s ferry to Masirah … There are the beautiful new ferries operated by National Ferry, which cost much more (RO 26 return for vehicle and driver only. Please take this into account when making your View All Places To Visit In Masirah Island. Found off the south-east coast of Oman, Masirah Island is reached by a one and a half-hour ferry journey from Shannah Port on the coast, south of Wahiba Sands. The ferry runs four times a day from 9am to 6pm. The fare is Ro 10 going and RO 5 returning. From nearby cities. more. Masirah is a small island meaning everything is reachable within 20 minutes driving to unspoiled spots with only 12,000 inhabitants. So, the way to Masirah is easy, once you have the plan properly prepared. The water is only 3 meters deep between mainland and the island. The toilets onboard the old ferries are only for the desperate. Staff in uniforms. The rocky landscapes and palm lined sandy beaches are as quiet and tranquil as can be, and are home to an incredible variety of birds such as herons and flamingos, as well as turtles, crabs and many other marine creatures. Shannah side has decent toilets and a coffee shop. We have all options to Masirah Island covered with a large choice of crossings from the shortest and cheapest to the longest and most luxurious. After you reach Muscat International Airport, you can either hire a cab, or rent a car and drive to Shannah. Last year the Öcher Kite Gang traveled back to Masirah Island in Oman. RO 3 extra per passenger) but have many facilities on board. The island has a population of about 12,000 people and was only recently open for tourism. This article contains a discussion by Tripadvisor members concerning the above topic. They do not even listen to fellow Omanis nor the policemen. A real desert island experience, Masirah Island is located off the eastern coast of Oman within the central coastal region. By now, there is a four-star-hotel and a kitesurfing camp. Masirah Island is a nice get-away when you have the time. Show all answers. The National Ferry Company operates regular vehicle ferries from Shannah and arives in Hilf Port. The best way to get around would be in your own car, which you can bring on the ferry. It takes about 1.5 hours to reach Hilf Port. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Thanks to the abundance of sea turtles in the Gulf of Oman, Masirah Island also makes a popular spot for the creatures to lay their eggs, and as a result marine conservation activity has expanded in the area, alongside a steady rise in tourist numbers coming to see the turtles up-close. The island is a fisherman’s island, which means if you love seafood it is by far the perfect place for you. The flight from India to Muscat takes around 3-4 hours depending on where you fly from. Understand []. Apparently it is their right as they are from the island. Take a hat and a bottle of water and your camera. There is also another way possible, if you follow the inland route to Duqm and then take left to Shannah. April 20 – Mwasalat, in coordination with the National Ferries Company (NFC) launched a new joint route connecting land with the sea to Masirah, on April 20. How to reach Masirah Island by Waterways The National Ferry Company operates regular vehicle ferries from Shannah and arives in Hilf Port. Seeb Airport (Muscat Governorate, Oman) Right now, 32 airlines operate out of Seeb Airport. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Being the largest island in Oman as well as the most relaxing destination for a weekend getaway, Masirah Island is filled with stunning beaches and exciting water sports. If you haven't booked for the new ferry, you will have to queue to get on the old ferries and unfortunately, there is no gate or ticket window so you pay only once you are on board. It is true that it is far from Muscat, but it can be worth the drive. Due to its distant location and peculiar desert landscapes, probably only travelers that appreciate off the beaten path destinations will enjoy this place. Vehicles have to reverse to drive on the ferry and are packed in like sardines but if you can get out of your car, you can sit upstairs and enjoy the view. Masirah Island is 207 mi from Seeb Airport (Muscat Governorate, Oman). Masira Island Resort, PO Box 135, Postal Code 414, Masirah Island, Sultanate of Oman Email: reservations@masiraislandresort.com Tel: +(968) 25504274 , +(968) 25504275 Plan your trip with experts and get best offers. Masirah Island has just opened for tourism. Masirah Island is the largest island belonging to Oman, laying off the east coast of the mainland. Either way, you have to get to Shannah for the ferry. Take your patience and tolerence with you, you will need it. Your details are safe with us. Cleaner. There are flights from Kerala (Kochi, Kozhikode and Thiruvanthapuram) that fly directly to Muscat. The good thing is that the new ferries have their own berth but the old ferries can change where they pull up to unload and load vehicles. Masirah is an Indian Ocean island off the east coast of Oman and is 95 km long and between 12 and 14 km wide. The population is estimated to be 12,000. After lunch, take your ferry to the Island. © Holidify Travels Pvt Ltd.- All Right Reserved. The new ferry but it looks very decent indeed. The ferry runs four times a day from 9am to 6pm. travel plans. Between 321 and 324 AD, the fleet of Alexander the Great sailed all over the Gulf to locate the best ports for trading. Organized. So you will have to wait until the next morning to take the ferry to Masirah Island. The island of Masirah, located off the coast of Oman in the Indian Ocean, is a true nature lover’s paradise, and what lacks in structures is made up in natural beauty. It's an absolute nightmare to cross to the island unless you have pre-booked online with the new National Ferry (www.nfc.om). Indian travel blog with pictures, featuring some of the best places in India to travel. Used variously as a staging post for trade in the Indian Ocean and as home to fishermen attracted by the rich catches of kingfish, lobster and prawn, Masirah is home to flamingos and herons that patrol the coast by day and armies of ghost crabs that march ashore at night. Seeb Airport offers nonstop flights to 46 cities. The old ferries take 1 1/2 hours to cross whilst the new ferries take just half an hour. The two most common methods are buses and cars. Taking the bus is not a very feasible option, but if you wish to do so, there is a route 52 bus from Muscat that you can take. It contains an Omani air base, a fish factory, and a few small towns. With the Omani Government considering flights from Muscat and developing the infrastructure on the island, Masirah Island is worth visiting now before everyone catches on! During non-holiday times, it is much easier to get on an old ferry but it's best to pre-book on the new ones to avoid disappointment. Either way, you have to get to Shannah for the ferry. Masirah Island, tucked neatly against the eastern shore of Oman and the biggest island off the sultanate, is a wonder of nature. and, as such, some of the information contained herein may be outdated and cannot be While its people may be embracing the modern world, Masirah has not forgotten that Alexander the Great's admiral, Nearchos named it in his log Serepsis. Just drive to Sur and then to Ashkharah and Shannah, to take the ferry. If this is not an option, there are taxis available from hotels.There is no means of public transport within the island. By now, there is a four-star-hotel and a kitesurfing camp. Home to 12,000 residents, the rugged terrain and the rough coastline offer great opportunities for water-sports, especially with the winds attracting many kite surfers. Regards, 0 votes. Topics include Transportation, Things to Do, Dining Scene, Oman: For Foreign Visitors & more! It costs OMR 3 for an adult and OMR 1.5 for children (one way). Any long weekend. Create and share itinerary, download PDF Guides and free access to Holidify's full content. It spans over 95km north-south and is 12-14km in width and is only accessible by a short ferry ride. Located in the Arabian Sea, off the east coast of the mainland, Masirah Island is the largest island of the country. The flights between Muscat International Airpot (MCT) and RAFO Masirah are only for military personnel. The island does not have its own airport, so you will need to arrive at Shannah first, and take a ferry to the island. You can take the scenic route via Quriyat, Sur, Al ashkurah down to Shannah or via Izki, Sinaw, Mahoot and over to Shannah. One can still only get to the island by ferry, managed by the National Ferry Company www.nfc.om, which runs six times a day between Shannah to Masirah. Nonetheless, there are many other ways to get from Muscat to Masirah Island. The locals do not believe in queueing and jump in front to get on the next ferry. Just adding a note for anyone driving to the Island in the future, we drove from Sur to Shanna Port and found both on that road (~300Kms) and on Masirah Island that people were queuing at some petrol stations and some had run out of fuel. Waits can be 4+++ hours each way. This Indian Ocean jewel hosts a number of fabulous sandy beaches where four species of sea turtles nest every year. Oman’s largest island. The population is estimated at 12,000. Alternatively, you could also take the bus to Shannah. If you remember, take cold drinks and snacks (or fresh fish) for the ferry workers, they are quite grateful. Masirah Island is a nice get-away when you have the time. Military Base. An unforgettable Masirah episode. You will have to get off at the Sinaw station and take a cab from there to Shannah. Masirah is an Indian Ocean island off the east coast of Oman and is 95 km long and between 12 and 14 km wide. Masirah Island is in Central Coastal Oman.. commented on by travelers at this time. We never post anything without your permission. We value your privacy. You can take the scenic route via Quriyat, Sur, Al ashkurah down to Shannah or via Izki, Sinaw, Mahoot and over to Shannah. It contains an Omani air base and a fish factory, as well as a few small towns. Please note that the discussion was closed to any additional postings as of Nov 1, 2016 It is scenic with the dhows sailing past and the many birds and jumping fish. In order to reach Masirah, you will first have to fly to Muscat. Masirah Island has just opened for tourism. Masirah Island is in Central Coastal Oman.. Beginning in the 1930s, Masirah was used as a British military base.A small stone building, a fuel store for flying boats, was at the midpoint of the island on the West side, and had a stone above the door inscribed "RAF 1936".Reputedly, the fuel store was locked and visiting aircrew used to bring a key, refuel from cans, lock the store and fly onwards. It takes an hour and half to reach Masirah Island. To reach Masirah from Muscat, the best route option would be Muscat-Bidbid-Sinaw-Shannah- Masirah. Reach Qahid and continue drive to Shannah, the way is flanked by one side the azure of Arabian sea and on the other side tapestry of desert dunes. You can still only get to the island by ferry, managed by the National Ferry Company www.nfc.om, which runs six times a day between Shannah to Masirah. The journey from Muscat to Shannah will take around 5 hours. Masirah Island Home > A’Sharqiyah > Masirah Island. Masirah Island has a nice selection of hotels, and one of the first things to do in Masirah Island is making sure you find a good place to sleep in. During non-holidays, the choice is yours. It is true that it is far from Muscat, but it can be worth the drive. Masirah is about 19 km off the east side of Barr al Hikman, and the island coast runs nearly its entire length. Masirah Island is a nice get-away when you have the time. Big difference is the crossing times. Unfortunately, there are no commercial flights from Muscat to Masirah Island. The ferry route departing from the port is the gateway to Oman, crossing to Shannah on the east coast and taking around an hour. Show all answers. The queues are worse from the Shannah side. It can only be reached by ferry from Shannah and is a bird watcher’s paradise as well as an important hatching site for a vast number of migrating sea turtles. When you come after a day of Attractions and Tours, Finding your hotel in Masirah Island can be an exhausting experience, try booking your Masirah Island hotel now to avoid any inconveniences. The older ferries, privately owned, are not nearly as pretty but are significantly cheaper and do the trick. You can take the scenic route via Quriyat, Sur, Al ashkurah down to Shannah or via Izki, Sinaw, Mahoot and over to Shannah. However, the bus only leaves Muscat at 5:30 and you will probably reach Shannah around midnight. It can been confusing and chaotic. The lack of viable accommodation in Masirah means that camping is the best way to experience the island. To add to its diversity, this country has a number of islands in its borders and one of these little islands is Masirah Island in Oman located 10km from the mainland on the east coast of the country. To Reach to Masirah Island there is a ferry between "Shannah" & Masirah Island, Once you are in "Shannah" you can buy the Tickets from "National Ferries Company" "NFC" However, I don't remember how many Trips per day or how much does it cost. Talk about connectivity, compare different services (if any). After arriving in Muscat International Airport, you could rent a car or hire a cab to take you to Shannah from where you can catch a ferry to the island. The important thing to avoid is going during holidays. With its rocky interior of palm oases and gorgeous rim of sandy beaches, Masirah is the typical desert island. 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