Sur, Oman: travel guide
A coastal town in Ash Sharqiyah known for its centuries-old dhow-building shipyards, the Al Ayjah lighthouse across the lagoon, and its role as gateway to the green-turtle nesting beaches of Ras Al Jinz and the swimming pools of Wadi Shab.
- Country
- Oman
- Currency
- OMR
- Time zone
- Asia/Muscat
Top places to visit in Sur
Bimmah Sinkhole
Nature · 4.3 rating · about 1 h
A striking turquoise limestone sinkhole about 20m deep, open for swimming, set in Hawiyat Najm Park on the Muscat-Sur road.
Wadi Tiwi
Nature · about 3 h
The "wadi of nine villages", a gorge of terraced palm plantations, pools and small settlements.
Wadi Shab
Nature · 4.6 rating · about 4 h · entry OMR 1
A palm-filled gorge with a chain of turquoise pools leading to a hidden waterfall inside a cave, reached by a short boat crossing and hike.
Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve
Wildlife · 4.0 rating · about 2 h · entry OMR 12
A protected green-turtle nesting beach with a scientific visitor centre, offering guided evening and dawn turtle-watching walks.
Bilad Sur Castle
Fort · 4.1 rating · about 0.8 h · entry OMR 1
A turreted inland castle that once guarded Sur from the west, with restored towers and ramparts.
Ras Al Hadd
Beach · 3.4 rating · about 1.5 h
The easternmost cape of Arabia, with turtle beaches, a lagoon and an old fort where the sun first rises over Oman.
Fins / White Beach
Beach · 4.3 rating · about 1.5 h
A long stretch of white-sand coast between Fins and Tiwi, popular for beach camping and swimming.
Sur Maritime Museum & Fatah Al Khair Dhow
Museum · 4.3 rating · about 0.8 h
A preserved ocean-going ghanjah dhow displayed beside the maritime museum, celebrating Sur's centuries of dhow-building.
Sur Corniche
Viewpoint · 4.2 rating · about 0.8 h
A lagoon-side promenade facing the old Al Ayjah quarter and the traditional dhow harbour.
Al Ayjah Lighthouse
Viewpoint · about 0.7 h
A white lighthouse and cluster of old watchtowers guarding the harbour mouth in the historic Al Ayjah quarter.
Sunaysilah Castle
Fort · 4.1 rating · about 0.8 h · entry OMR 1
A square hilltop fort with four corner towers overlooking the town of Sur.
Things to do
- Ras Al Jinz Turtle Watching Nature · 1.5 h · from OMR 12 per person
- Wadi Shab Hike & Swim Adventure · 4 h · from OMR 5 per person
- Sur Dhow Factory & Heritage Walk Tour · 1 h
- Bimmah Sinkhole Swim Nature · 1 h
Day trips and tours
- Sur, Wadi Shab & Bimmah Sinkhole Day Tour 9 h · from OMR 40
Where to stay in Sur
- Sur Corniche & Al Ayjah about OMR 45 per night
Central lagoon-side district with the corniche, dhow harbour and most hotels.
- Ras Al Hadd & Ras Al Jinz about OMR 70 per night
Coastal turtle country east of Sur, with eco-lodges beside the nesting beaches.
Hotels
- Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve Eco-Lodge 3-star · OMR 60 to OMR 110 per night
- Sur Plaza Hotel 3-star · OMR 30 to OMR 55 per night
- Sur Grand Hotel 3-star · OMR 30 to OMR 55 per night
- Turtle Beach Resort 3-star · OMR 40 to OMR 70 per night
- Al Ayjah Plaza Hotel 3-star · OMR 30 to OMR 55 per night
Where to eat
- Zaki Restaurant Arabic · about OMR 4 per person
- Sur Sea Restaurant Seafood, Omani · about OMR 6 per person
- Kunnath Restaurant Indian · about OMR 3 per person
- Zahrat Bilad Al Sham Levantine, Syrian · about OMR 5 per person
- Cave Sur Cafe, Grill · about OMR 5 per person
Getting around
- Car Rental Self main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Car With Driver main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking
Every city has walking. 2.5 km ceiling is a placeholder default, not a researched per-city figure -- Singapore is sheltered and air-conditioned, Bangkok often has no pavement.