Ras Madrakah

Ras Madrakah is a headland of dark volcanic rock projecting into the Arabian Sea south of Duqm, and the contrast is the point: black hills and boulder fields running straight onto beaches of white sand, with clear water and almost no development. A fishing village sits on the sheltered side with boats drawn up, and the beaches around the cape are used for camping by the few people who make the drive. Turtles nest on some of the sand. There is a lighthouse on the point. Facilities are essentially nil, so visits mean carrying water, food and fuel, and the road south from Duqm crosses a long stretch of empty desert.

The landscape

• Black rock and white sand - the volcanic headland against the beaches.
• The fishing village - the boats and the settlement in the lee of the cape.
• The lighthouse - the light on the point.
• Empty beaches - the sand around the headland with no development.

When to go

November to March for tolerable temperatures and calm sea; the summer monsoon brings strong wind and rough water to this coast. Camping is the usual way to stay. Turtle nesting occurs in the warmer months.

Things to know

There are no shops, fuel or accommodation at the cape; everything must be carried. The road from Duqm is long and empty. Currents around the headland are strong. Litter left by campers is a growing problem.

Nearby

Duqm lies north; the Hallaniyat islands are far offshore to the south.

Key facts