Masirah Island

Masirah lies off the east coast, about ninety-five kilometres long, flat and largely bare, and it is significant for turtles: the beaches here host one of the largest loggerhead nesting aggregations anywhere, with tens of thousands of nests a year, along with green, hawksbill and olive ridley turtles. The southwest monsoon blows hard across the island from June to September, which has made it a kitesurfing and windsurfing destination in exactly the months when the rest of Oman is at its hottest. Fishing is the main livelihood, with shipwrecks and old boats along the shore. A vehicle ferry runs from Shannah, tide dependent, and accommodation is limited to a few hotels and camping.

History

Archaeological sites from the Neolithic to the Iron Age are scattered over the island, with shell middens dating to 6000 BC and stone axes from 3000 BC. The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, written between AD 40 and 70, describes it as the Isle of Sarapis, home to three villages of fish-eating holy men and a source of fine tortoise shell (Wikipedia, Masirah Island).

Highlights

• Turtle nesting beaches - the loggerhead nesting grounds along the shore.
• Kitesurfing lagoons - the wind-blown bays used in the summer monsoon.
• Wrecks and boats - the hulks along the beaches.
• Flat bare landscape - the interior of the island.

When to go

October to April for general visiting and mild weather; June to September for the strong monsoon wind and the sports that use it. Loggerhead nesting peaks roughly May to August. Ferry sailings depend on tide and can be delayed.

Good to know

The ferry runs to tide rather than timetable and waits are common. Accommodation is limited and basic. Turtle nesting should be watched only with guidance and no lights; disturbance is a serious problem here. The island is windswept and offers little shade.

Nearby

Shannah is the mainland ferry port; Barr al Hikman lies west.

Key facts