Oman is a country which is fierce about protecting the environmental wildlife within its boundaries. This is most evidenced by the steps the Omani government has taken to protect the ecosystems within its many natural caves. Oman’s Turtle Beach is the home of one the oldest migratory routes for sea turtles.

Evidence from recent finds indicates that turtles have been used as a source of food and other essentials here for over 7,000 years. It is one of the few locations in the world where the mating and hatching cycles of turtles can be observed unobtrusively. Thousands of visitors each year visit Turtle Beach to observe Green Turtles, Loggerhead Turtles, Olive Ridley Turtles, and the Hawksbill Turtle. Locally, these turtles are referred to as Sul Hafah Al Khuthera, Al Sherfaf, Rimani, and Al Niml respectively.

This beach is the site of nearly half of these turtles’ nesting populations. Green turtles, which are commonly found throughout the Indian Ocean, travel the furthest of these four primary breeds in order to lay eggs. The Island of Masirah, off of the coast of Turtle Beach, has the largest known nesting population of Loggerhead turtles. The Hawksbill turtle, which is a critically endangered species, has a nesting habitat that expands the width and length of Turtle Beach. The precise mating habits of the Olive Ridley turtle within Oman’s Turtle Beach are not well known.

Turtle Beach is also home to a number of resorts that thrive off of the tourists attracted by turtle watching. The most well known of these resorts is Ras Al Hadd. Just south of the Omani city of Sur, Ras Al Hadd is one of several resorts that offer tours and cruises to visitors and tourists who are interested in seeing the turtle in its natural habitat. In addition to these sight seeing expeditions, tourists can also engage in snorkeling, scuba diving, and day trips to local villages and other points of interest.

In addition to turtle watching, there are many other points of interest within driving distance of Turtle Beach. One of the most well known places is Wadi Shah. Although it must be entered by means of a ferry, this location has many small, cool pools which are ideal swimming locations. Fraught with date palms and other trees, the single, pristine beach of Wadi Shah is decorated by the fishing boats of local villagers.

Two other popular day trip destinations are the towns of Tiwi and Sur. Tiwi is commonly known as one of the oldest settlements in Oman. During the 1300 and 1400’s, the city was famous for its exports of spices and other seasonings. Sur is also an older city. It continues to be a thriving seaport today. It was a main trading post with various African coast countries for many years. Tours of the city will reveal its many examples of fine, old homes. The Dhow Building Yard, which builds ships, is another point of interest within Sur.