And God created the wadis

Quite simply the wadis (“wadi” means river bed, but a few wadis have water flowing all year round) in Oman are the most beautiful features of Mother Earth I’ve ever seen in my life. Of course lava flowing into the ocean in Hawaii was more impressive. But the sheer beauty of wadis in Oman has no equal.

Wadis come in all shapes and forms. Some are 1 km large and 20 km long. Some are so narrow that one has to swim cramped between mountain walls. They are mostly defined by their beautiful date palms surrounded by rocky background. Driving through the desert and stopping by any wadi feels like a breath of fresh air.

The best news is yet to come: one doesn’t have to venture in remote areas of Oman to enjoy the wadis. Most of them are located within an hour or two from Muscat, the capital.

The most stunning are Wadi Shab and Wadi Bani Khalid. Wadi Shab is a long, winding valley with stunning pools of crystal clear green-turquoise water. Wadi Shab is fairly long so it is best to spend a whole afternoon there. Wadi Bani Khalid is easier to access and shorter. Both are unique in their own right. We visited other wadis but these two are the most beautiful.

Oh and ladies, you’ll have to cover up while you swim. At the very least your knees and arms should be covered. It may be cumbersome and frustrating, but it will save you a lot of hassle. Trust us.