The dhow’s speedboat adds some flexibility.



Omani oasis

by Craig Barnett Saturday, 06 September 2008

Oman's staggering Musandam is full of stunning dive sites. We struck a chord with Wonderwall.

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"Do you seriously need to ask why I do this?" ask James Percival, Regional Finance Director for the Jumeirah Group, as he settles into his sunbed and slides on his sunglasses.
Thumbing back to the correct page in his book, before shooting me a winning smile, James exhales a long sigh of contentment.

Basking in the golden glow of the setting sun and post-dive exertion, we slide along under the majestic cliffs of the Musandam and I see his point.

A day's diving on Oman's stunning East coast is the perfect antidote to another manic week in the city. I close my notebook.

I’ve seen puffa fish, but really want to see a big round one!
Each of those aboard our dive dhow has their own reason for being there.

"I really want to see a fully inflated puffa fish," explains Tom with a certain degree of intensity. "I've seen partially inflated puffas, but not a big spherical one."

I quickly realise Tom has already stolen a significant march on me in the subaquatic species observation stakes, and at just 12 years of age has considerably more diving experience.

Having just completed his Junior Open Water Advanced course, Tom and was now at the same level as his sister Kate.

Diving with the Pavilion Dive Centre since the age of eight, Kate's passion for the sport has led her to seriously considering a future as a Dive Instructor for her chosen career path.

During the coursework, PADI evangelise about how diving allows you to travel and make new friends, and this is true as everyone on the boat shared a common interest and experiences.

The first part of the shared experience was to arrive bleary eyed at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel at 5:15am for the mini-bus departure.

After a couple of hours of iPod fuelled dozing, we arrived on the Omani side of Dibba and the Dive Centre. The divided village of Dibba - Dibba belongs to Sharjah, Fujierah and Oman - so don't forget your passport!

After a perfunctory signing of waivers and collection of dive equipment - the rental of which is included in the price of the trip - we loaded the dive dhow and chugged out of the small harbour.

A word to the wise if you are planning to try this trip; quickly grab yourself a sunbed on boarding. With the kit stowed it was time for breakfast and to explore the dhow.

With an air-conditioned interior, heads, showers, wide open- plan decks, a wet bar on the foredeck, an onboard compressor and oversized bathing platform at the stern, it proves to be the perfect platform for a group dive.

After a chilled couple of hours cruising past the towering cliffs and secluded inlets of the Musandam we arrived at our destination. With numerous headlands, peninsulars and bays, your are guaraunteed to find a sheltered anchorage, whatever the swell and wind direction.

On the day of our trip, the conditions dictated that we dive and the inspiringly named ‘Wonderwall'.



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