
moderate
8–9 hours
Comfortable hiking 6–7 km with light scrambling and swimming segments; heat tolerance required in warmer months.
Hike, swim, and explore Oman’s signature trio—Wadi Shab, Fins Beach, and the Bimmah Sinkhole—on a private day trip from Muscat. Expect warm jade pools, white-sand coastline, and a limestone crater that glows turquoise in afternoon light.
Dawn slides over the Gulf of Oman as the coastal highway unspools east from Muscat, mountains rising like a stone curtain to your right and the sea breathing to your left. By the time the road bends toward Tiwi, heat is already hunting the day. The wadi answers first—Wadi Shab, a deep-cut canyon that narrows and invites, its jade pools flickering between sunlit palms and pale limestone. A short boat hop across the channel sets you on the trail, where boulders steer your steps and the canyon quietly insists you move deeper.

Grippy trail shoes or water shoes handle slick limestone and wet crossings better than sandals.
A small local boat shuttles you across at Wadi Shab (typically 1 OMR per person, cash only).
You’ll swim to reach the waterfall cave; a 5–10L dry bag keeps phones and snacks safe.
Avoid wadis after heavy rain; flash floods are real and fast. If in doubt, don’t enter.
This coastline once linked inland caravans to Indian Ocean trade routes. Oman’s ancient falaj irrigation, a UNESCO-recognized system, still channels mountain water to villages like Tiwi.
Pack out all trash, use reef-safe sunscreen, and avoid disturbing rock formations or vegetation. Respect flash-flood closures—wadis reset quickly after storms and need time to clear.
Wet, polished limestone and boulder steps demand reliable traction.
Protects feet during pool crossings and the swim-through section.
Keeps electronics and a light layer dry during swims.
Hydration is crucial in Omani heat; plan for frequent sipping and salt replacement.