Bimmah Sinkhole, known locally as Hawiyat Najm, is one of the most photographed natural sights on Oman’s northern coast. It is a large circular depression in the limestone, with a staircase leading down to water that glows turquoise on a sunny day. The water is a mix of fresh and sea water that seeps through the rock, and it is cool, clear and perfectly calm. Visitors can swim, float and watch the small fish that gather around their feet, while the sides of the hole rise like the walls of an amphitheatre. A small park around the rim has paths, shade and picnic areas, so it is as much a relaxed stop as an adventure. A day trip here usually adds two more stops along the same stretch of coast. Wadi Al Arbaeen is a narrow, rocky valley where the track runs between high walls and, depending on the season, pools of green water collect in the bends. Fins Beach lies a little further on, a wide curve of pale sand backed by cliffs and the Hajar Mountains, with a long, shallow shoreline that suits a paddle, a picnic or a quiet hour with a book. Together the three places give a very different picture of Oman from the souqs and mosques of the capital, and they fit comfortably into one day with time to spare.
Getting there
The sinkhole is roughly an hour and a half from central Muscat along the coastal highway towards Sur, close to the turning for Wadi Shab. Most visitors join a guided day trip, which handles the drive and the 4WD track into Wadi Al Arbaeen, and many itineraries combine the sinkhole with Wadi Shab or Wadi Tiwi so you can swim at two places in a day. A hire car works well if you prefer your own pace, since the sinkhole is signposted and has its own car park.
At the sinkhole
You walk down a flight of steps from the car park to a small platform at the water’s edge. Swimming is allowed, and the water is deep enough in the middle that most people stay close to the sides. Wear swimwear under modest cover-ups, bring a towel and water shoes, and keep valuables with your guide or in the vehicle.
There may be a small entrance charge, so check when you book. Visit in the morning or late afternoon for the best colour and fewer people, and avoid the middle of the day in summer, when the heat on the exposed rock is intense.
Fins Beach and the wadi
Fins is a swimming beach, but the sea can be rough in the summer swell, so ask your guide before going in beyond the shallows. Wadi Al Arbaeen is best seen with a driver who knows the track, because the surface is rough and the pools change from year to year. Plan for sturdy shoes, sun protection and plenty of drinking water.
Making the most of it
Start early to beat the crowds and the heat, bring snacks because there are few places to eat on this stretch of coast, and carry cash for small fees. The cool season from October to April is the most comfortable time, while summer is hot and best kept to the early morning. If you want to see more than one swimming spot, this day pairs naturally with Wadi Shab and Wadi Tiwi, and the whole coast road is scenic, with villages and bays worth a stop.
What to expect
The experience
A guided full-day trip by road along the coast to a swimmable limestone sinkhole, a rocky wadi and a quiet beach.
Best time
Morning or late afternoon, between October and April, when the colour is best and the heat is gentle.
How long
A full day of about eight to nine hours including the drive, with an hour or more at each stop.
Tips
Bring swimwear, water shoes, a towel, sun cream and water, and keep clothing modest on the way to and from the pools.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Swimmers, photographers and anyone who wants a relaxed nature day close to the capital.
- Families
- Good for families with confident swimmers, since the steps are easy and the water is calm.
- Couples
- A beautiful, unhurried day of swimming and scenery, ideal with a sunset drive back to the city.
- Pair with
- Wadi Shab or Wadi Tiwi on the same coast road, or a night at a beach hotel in Muscat.
- Time needed
- One full day, or half a day if you only visit the sinkhole and the beach.
Good questions
What is Bimmah Sinkhole?+
A large limestone sinkhole, also called Hawiyat Najm, filled with turquoise water that you can swim in. Steps lead down to the edge.
Can you swim there?+
Yes, swimming is allowed and the water is calm and clear. Most people stay near the sides, and a small fee may apply, so check when you book.
How far is it from Muscat?+
About an hour and a half by road along the coastal highway towards Sur, close to the turning for Wadi Shab.
What else is nearby?+
Wadi Al Arbaeen, Fins Beach, Wadi Tiwi and Wadi Shab are all on the same stretch of coast, so day trips often combine two or three of them.
When is the best time to go?+
From October to April the weather is comfortable. In summer go early in the morning, because the rock and the road are very hot by midday.
