Hallaniyat Islands

The Hallaniyat group, formerly the Kuria Muria islands, lies some forty kilometres off the Dhofar coast, five islands of which only Al Hallaniyah is inhabited, by a small fishing community. The waters around them are exceptionally productive because of the upwelling driven by the monsoon, which brings nutrients to the surface and supports large concentrations of fish, seabirds and marine mammals, including the Arabian Sea humpback whale, a small non-migratory population found only in these waters and one of the most endangered whale populations anywhere. Diving and fishing charters run from the mainland when weather allows. There is no tourist infrastructure on the islands.

What you actually see

• Arabian Sea humpbacks - the resident non-migratory whale population.
• Seabird colonies - the breeding birds on the uninhabited islands.
• Dive sites - the reefs and wrecks around the archipelago.
• The fishing village - the community on Al Hallaniyah.

When to go

October to April, when the sea is workable; the southwest monsoon from June to September makes the crossing impossible for weeks at a time. Whale sightings are never guaranteed. Charters must be arranged well in advance.

Honest expectations

Access is by charter only and trips cancel frequently for weather. There is no accommodation or facilities on the islands; visits are usually liveaboard or day trips. Whale encounters are rare even here. Costs are high.

Nearby

Hasik and Sadah are the mainland ports; Mirbat lies west.