Al Mughsail Beach

Al Mughsail runs for several kilometres west of Salalah, a broad beach of pale sand with sheer cliffs at its western end where the Dhofar mountains come down to the sea. At that end a set of blowholes has been developed with walkways and railings: sea caves under the rock compress water and air, and in a big swell the spray is forced up through vents in the ground with considerable force and noise, an effect strongest during the summer monsoon when the sea is roughest. Beyond the beach the coast road climbs the escarpment in a series of hairpins toward Fazayah and the Yemeni border. Frankincense trees grow in the wadis behind.

What you actually see

• The blowholes - the vents firing spray in high swell, with walkways over them.
• The beach - the long sand strand below the cliffs.
• The cliff road - the hairpins climbing west from the bay.
• Frankincense trees - the stands in the wadis behind the shore.

When to go

July to September during the khareef, when swell is at its highest and the blowholes work best; that is also the busiest season. October to April is calm, the blowholes are usually quiet, and the beach is at its best for swimming.

Honest expectations

The blowholes only perform in big swell and do nothing on calm days. Khareef crowds and traffic are heavy. Currents on the beach are strong and there are no lifeguards. Litter in season is a significant problem.

Nearby

Fazayah lies west over the escarpment; Salalah is east.