Bimmah Sinkhole

The Bimmah sinkhole, properly Hawiyat Najm, the fall of the star, is a collapse in the limestone about forty metres across and twenty deep, holding water that is a strong turquoise because it mixes fresh groundwater with seawater seeping in from the coast six hundred metres away. A concrete stairway runs down to the water and people swim in it; small fish in the pool nibble at feet, which visitors either enjoy or dislike. A park with lawns, shade and parking was built around the rim. The name refers to a local story that a meteorite made the hole, though it is a straightforward karst collapse. It sits just off the main coast road and is an easy stop.

What you actually see

• The turquoise pool - the brackish water in the collapse.
• The stairway - the concrete steps from the rim to the water.
• The limestone walls - the undercut rock around the pool.
• The park - the lawns and shade built around the rim.

When to go

October to April for comfortable weather. Weekdays and early mornings are far quieter; weekends and holidays fill the park and the water. The pool is in shade for parts of the day.

Honest expectations

It is small and gets crowded, with litter a recurring problem. Swimming is popular and the water is not always clean. Modest swimwear is expected as at all public places in Oman. There are no lifeguards and the walls are undercut.

Nearby

Wadi Shab lies south; Quriyat is north.