Hallaniyat & Daymaniyat Islands (11 Days / 10 Nights - 35 Dives)

Trip highlights: whale sharks, dolphins, manta rays, whales, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, caverns, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, wall diving, wreck diving

Dive sites and activities: Hamdi’s Block, Ras Mirbat, Marriott Wreck, Hasikiyah, Sunny Turtle, Mini Gozo, Coral Bay, Gota Qibliyah, Ras Qinqari, Eagle Bay, As Sawda, Coral Garden, Canal Garden, Shemis Fingers, The Arch, Fish Highway, Angry Grouper, Aquarium, 3 Sisters, Garden of Eden, Junne, Tito's Run, Hayut, Bandar Khayran, Fahal Island, Al Munnassir Wreck, Decorator Bay, Sari Island, Mouse Trap, Police Run

Day 1
Arrive in Muscat and take a 60 minute taxi to Grand Millennium Hotel. Boarding the Oman Aggressor starts at 3 pm at Al Mouj Marina, but the yacht will only leave anchor on the following morning. There will be a welcome platter of cheese, hummus and pita bread, mini sandwiches and homemade mini pizzas. The tour leader will welcome you onboard, assign your cabin to you, and explain in detail the liveaboard boat features and the plans for the coming days. Then dinner will be served. After a good night's sleep in your comfortable cabin, the diving will commence the next day.

Core Days
Expect up to 4 dives a day at some of the most amazing dive sites in the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea, with awesome coral reefs and tons of fish. The Daymaniyat Islands are small, rocky islands north of Muscat. The reefs cover up to 70% of the seabed with more than 100 different species of coral of which no less than 10% are unique to Oman’s waters. Marine life is abundant with 280 different species of fish, varying from sting rays, turtles, moray eels, leopard sharks and whale sharks. Green and hawksbill turtles are common residents of the islands. Bottlenose and spinner dolphins can be encountered, and more rarely humpback whales. The islands are a nature reserve and an important turtle nesting site, as well as a sanctuary for migrating birds.
The Hallaniyat Islands are located off the south eastern coast of Oman. The islands are an undiscovered diving region where you can expect almost anything! Diving highlights are undoubtedly the opportunity to see the populations of humpback whales (Jan-Apr), but also include encounters with sperm whales. Huge pods of dolphin are often seen, as well as green turtles. Giant groupers, meaty catfish and mobulas are all commonly encountered.
The menu onboard is varied and plentiful, with a variety of international and Arabic cuisine. You will wake up to fresh fruits, hot entrees, cereals and juices. Lunches are buffet-style, featuring hot soups, homemade breads, salads and sandwiches, and/or entrees. Dinners are chef prepared and served each evening, and include salads, vegetables, seafood, beef or chicken, with a fresh homemade dessert. There will also be plenty of snacks mid-morning and mid-afternoon. If you have any special dietary requirements, please let us know during the booking process and speak to the yacht chef once onboard so he can adequately prepare to meet your needs.
After 2 morning dives on the last full day of the trip, the Oman Aggressor returns to the marina during the afternoon to provision and re-fuel. A sunset cocktail party will be held, then you may go ashore for dinner at one of the many fine restaurants located in the marina. There is also shopping and nightlife.

Day 11
After a continental breakfast, you will depart for the airport at approximately 8 am. Arrangements can be pre-booked for transportation to your local hotel or to Salalah Airport. Note: these trips sometimes run in reverse so please check the departure/return ports.