Swim amongst the turtles of Daymaniyat
Small-group snorkeling trips to swim with sea turtles, rays and seasonal whale sharks. Permits, gear and refreshments sorted. Departs Al Mouj Marina, Muscat.
Reply within the hour on WhatsApp. Full refund if we cancel for weather.
Tours & charters
All trips include snorkeling gear, life jackets, refreshments and a crew that knows where the turtles are. Children welcome on every trip. Spots are limited and peak-season dates fill fast, so book ahead.
Shared Half-Day Snorkeling Tour
- 5 hours · morning departure
- 2-3 snorkel stops in the reserve
- Reserve entry permit included
- Snacks & soft drinks on board
Private Half-Day Snorkeling Charter
- 5 hours · your boat, your pace
- Snorkel, swim, or just cruise
- Refreshments included
- Reserve permits arranged (per person)
Private Full-Day Snorkeling Charter
- 10 hours · the full island experience
- Multiple snorkel sites & secluded bays
- Fresh BBQ lunch available
- Reserve permits arranged (per person)
Sunset Cruise
- Golden hour on the Gulf of Oman
- Private & relaxed, no schedule
- Refreshments included
Overnight Island Camping
- 20 hours · sleep under the stars
- Sunset + sunrise snorkeling
- BBQ dinner & breakfast
- Overnight reserve permit included
New name, old-school standards
We're in our founding season, which means small groups, a brand-new boat, and a crew that treats every trip like the one our reputation gets built on. Licensed by the reserve, fully insured, and honest about what the ocean will (and won't) show you on any given day. If we ever cancel for weather, you get every rial back. That's in writing in our cancellation policy.
Small groups, quality gear, and a crew member in the water with you on every trip.
If the weather turns and we cancel, you get a full refund. No arguments, no vouchers.
Wild animals set the pace. We'll never chase a turtle or promise what nature can't deliver.
Oman's protected underwater world
The Daymaniyat Islands (also spelled Dimaniyat) are nine uninhabited islands 40 minutes off the Muscat coast, forming Oman's most protected marine nature reserve. Home to sea turtles, rays, seasonal whale sharks, and coral gardens that rival anywhere in the region.
We run small-group trips with licensed reserve permits, moor on buoys to protect the coral, keep our trips free of single-use plastic, and brief every guest before they get in the water. Take only photos, leave only bubbles.
How it works
Book online
Pick your trip and date - you're confirmed instantly. Prefer to chat first? Message us on WhatsApp.
Meet at Al Mouj
Arrive 30 minutes before departure. We handle permits, gear sizing and the safety briefing.
Swim with turtles
Our crew takes you to the day's best sites: calm water, clear visibility, resident turtles.
Seasons at Daymaniyat
November to April · High season
Cooler air, calm seas and peak visibility. Overnight Island Camping runs in these months. Book ahead, slots fill fast.
May to October · Warm season
Warm water, quieter reefs, and whale shark season (Jul-Oct). Island landings are closed for turtle nesting, so snorkeling is boat-based, and turtles are resident year-round.
The sea that glows in the dark
On some nights, the water around Muscat puts on its own light show. Tiny plankton flash blue-green when the water moves, a natural glow scientists call bioluminescence (you may also hear it called phosphorescence). Trail your hand through dark water and it can sparkle like underwater stars.
It's real, it's magical, and it's entirely up to nature. The glow depends on plankton blooms, moon phase and sea conditions, so it can never be promised on any trip. When conditions look right, we post it first on Instagram.
Follow for glow alertsBest chances: dark, moonless nights. Ask us about Sunset Cruises and Overnight Island Camping.
Read the full bioluminescence guide →
Safe, licensed & turtle-first
Licensed reserve operator
Permitted to operate in the Daymaniyat reserve, with full passenger liability insurance.
Safety briefed, every trip
Life jackets for all, a crew member in the water, headcounts in and out, captain's weather call.
Custom-built for comfort
A boat built for a smooth crossing and a relaxed day, with quality gear for every guest.
We protect the reef
We moor on buoys, keep groups small, run plastic-free, and ask for reef-safe sunscreen.
Questions, answered
I've never snorkeled before. Is that a problem?
Not at all. Most guests are beginners. We brief you on land, fit your gear, and a crew member stays in the water with the group.
What if I get seasick?
The crossing is short and the boat is built for a smooth ride. Take a tablet an hour before, sit mid-boat, watch the horizon, and tell the crew.
Are children welcome?
Yes. Families are some of our favorite guests, with child-sized life jackets and masks on board.
Do I need a permit?
Yes, and we arrange it. On the shared trip the reserve permit is included in your price.
Make it a whole Oman adventure
Coming for more than the water? We partner with Janoob Expeditions for desert, mountain and cultural adventures across Oman, so you can plan your whole trip with people we trust.
Explore with Janoob ExpeditionsQuestions? We're quick on WhatsApp
Private group, hotel concierge, or special occasion? Message us and we'll build the right trip.
Message us on WhatsAppEmail hello@turtletours.com
About Turtle Tours
Turtle Tours is a licensed boat tour operator based at Al Mouj Marina in Muscat, Oman. We run small-group snorkeling trips, private boat charters, sunset cruises and overnight camping trips to the Daymaniyat Islands Nature Reserve (also spelled Dimaniyat), about 40 minutes offshore. Guests snorkel with wild sea turtles year-round and, in season (July–October), whale sharks. Shared tours cost OMR 30 per adult and OMR 17 per child; private charters from OMR 300 per boat for up to 12 guests. All trips include snorkeling gear, life jackets, reserve entry permits and refreshments, and are reef-safe and plastic-free. Book on WhatsApp (we usually reply within the hour) or email hello@turtletours.com.