Muscat: Oman has been at the forefront of preserving its cultural heritage and rich biodiversity, boasting nature’s many mysteries, and one such unique spot worth adding to your bucket list is Sanat Al Bahriya.

Take out your travel itinerary and note these down: Kayaking, Swimming, Diving, Sandy Beaches, Coral Reefs, Towering Mountains, and more. You won’t even have to drive to all these locations because they can all be found right here in Sanat Al Bahriya. 

Located in Dibba, in the Musandam Governorate, this natural haven is a unique location unknown to many. Popularly known as ‘The Tent’ by the locals, the mountains here, after years of volcanic erosion, have left a sea cave that glimmers with the turquoise waters of Oman. Receding waters often make this spot a tourist attraction for diving enthusiasts and ocean explorers. Among nature’s tapestry, you can also find remnants of yesteryears with shrines that take you back to a past forgotten with progress. 

Houses built with mud and stones that make you feel like a portal have opened into history books. Each house has a closed room called an ‘Al Aqah’, and summer houses called ‘Safa’ were built using rocks. 

Once you park your cars, you only need to hop on a speedboat to head to the islands of Sanat Al Bahriya. As you speed through the waves under the clear blue skies, you will be engulfed by the mountains surrounding you, with remnants of residents relying heavily on agriculture and herding. These neighbouring mountains are well known for their wheat plantations that serve as part of the locals’ livelihood.

For all trekking enthusiasts, you can hike up these mountains with treks lasting for an hour and a half, giving you an intimate perspective of a life of simplicity and detachment often missed in our busy schedules. With recent introductions to basic necessities like electricity, communication networks, floating stations, desalination units, and distribution outlets for feeding the marine areas in the governorate, this experience is truly unlike anything you have ever seen.

As the world sees a decline in seeking simplicity and detachment, this little gem in the depths of Oman offers a reality check to all who still keep their adventurous side alive and serves as an example of the need for preservation and sustainability.