Daymaniyat Islands
Oman · Arabian Sea
The Daymaniyat Islands off Oman's Muscat coast are the country's marine reserve — clear water, healthy reefs, seasonal whale sharks, and resident leopard sharks and turtles. Easy access from the capital.
How this reef is doing
ⓘ How we measure thisReef state
Daymaniyat archipelago — whale sharks Aug–Oct. Cover modest but the upwelling driven ecosystem keeps reefs healthier than Gulf coast.
Coral cover
Fish life
Heat
Warmer than usual right now, but not hot enough to bleach.
Fishing
Some fishing is allowed here, in marked zones.
Sources · MERMAID and partner coral surveys · NOAA Coral Reef Watch · Global Fishing Watch and reef gravity
What you will see
14 species across the dive sites here
Arabian Picasso Triggerfish
Seen 6 days ago
at Daymaniyat Aquarium
Least concern
Hawksbill turtle
Seen 1 month ago
at Garden of Eden
Critically endangered
Arabian Monocle Bream
Seen 4 months ago
at Daymaniyat Aquarium
Least concern
Arabian Butterflyfish
Seen 4 months ago
at Daymaniyat Aquarium
Least concern
Green Sea Turtle
Seen 4 months ago
at Island 9
Least concern
Green turtle
Seen 4 months ago
at Daymaniyat Aquarium
Least concern
Sohal Surgeonfish
Seen 4 months ago
at Daymaniyat Aquarium
Least concern
Leopard shark
Seen 4 months ago
at Daymaniyat Aquarium
Honeycomb moray
Seen 5 months ago
at Daymaniyat Aquarium
Least concern
Whale shark
Seen 8 months ago
at Daymaniyat Aquarium
Endangered
Cowtail Stingray
Seen year round
at Island 9
Near threatened
Jenkins Whipray
Seen year round
at Island 9
Yellowfin Surgeonfish
Seen year round
at Island 9
Least concern
Spotted eagle ray
Seasonal visitor
at Garden of Eden
Endangered
Dive sites
What divers say
An hour from a five star Muscat hotel to a school of whale sharks. Unfairly easy.
Good to know
Park rules
No anchoring on reef; permits managed by ops.