Oman is home to many dolphin and whale speces. Almost all year
rould dolphin can be found within close proximity to the cost. The most
accessible part of the coast of Oman lies directly off the capital, Muscat.
Here there are various tour operators offering dolphin-watching trips. Az'Zaha
Tours is one the leading companies operating dolphin watching trip in Oman. The
most commonly encountered species off Muscat are spinner dolphins, which
delight the viewer with their spinning leaps. The Spinners are often joined by
long-nosed common dolphins, in mixed groups. Also encountered off Muscat, but
on a less regular basis are Bryde's Whales, Humpback Whales, Risso's Dolphins,
Bottlenose Dolphins, False Killer Whale and the occasional Killer Whale group
amongst others. The winter months mean tolerable temperatures out on the water,
but a slightly higher chance of encountering choppy weather. Around Muscat the
summer months mean heat and humidity, but often calmer seas.
Most of the time dolphins are visibile near Al Khayran Island.
Al Khayran is an area of great geological and biological diversity. It features
drowned river valleys creating islands and fjord like coastline, several types
of rock formations, extensive mangrove woodland, intertidal mudflats, saltmarsh
and sabkha (salt flats).
Here three types of sedimentary rocks can be seen. The islands
and coast to the north east are mainly tertiary limestones around 50 million
years old. South of these are 250 million year old late Permian mudstone and
silty limestones bedded with black limestone. In the west the Permian
limestones are covered by 240 million year old Triassic dolomite.
The rocks originally formed during different periods as part of
the ocean floor. Since then the rocks have been buried by the sea either from
movement of the landmass itself over millions of years or by rise and fall of
sea levels over the last few hundred thousand years. Additional layers of
light-brown limestone have been deposited during each period of inundation by
the sea.
Az'Zaha Tours organize combined trip of dolphin watching with
setup and BBQ lunch in Bander Al Khayran island. It will be a full day
breathtaking event which include snorkeling, kayaking, banana boat ride, jet
ski ride, team building, etc. More details about oman dolphins and whales and beach parties available in their website: http://azzahatours.com
