Top Things to do in Sur
What to do and see in Sur, Oman: The Best Places and Tips
Discover the best top things to do in Sur, Oman including Wadi Shab, Turtle Beach, Ras Al Jinz Scientific & Visitor Center, Ras al Hadd Castle, Sur Maritime Museum, Bilad Sur Castle, Oman Tours and Camp, Sunaysilah Fort.
Restaurants in Sur
1. Wadi Shab
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By HighWycombeTraveller - High Wycombe
Just a couple of kilometres off the main Muscat-Sur highway this place is well worth a visit. Arriving at the car park the locals will take you on the 1 minute boat ride to get to the walkable side of the wadi and costs 1 Rial (about £2) per person for the return trip. You can then walk through the spectacular gorge past Palm trees, pools and Waterfalls but beware that some of the walking is not easy and an amount of scrambling over rocks is required so wear decent footwear. Swimming is possible in some of the pools so bring your costume if you fancy it. A beautiful spot to spend a couple of hours.
2. Turtle Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 228 reviews
Reviewed By A_Blue_Sea_Shell - Switzerland
Initially we thought we'd want to support the project with our visit. Whilst it IS fascinating to see those lovely creatures, I personally would not doing it again.
The groups are large and you're being hoarded from one egg laying turtle to an other and I couldn't help feeling sorry for them: to me is must be additional stress laying and burrying those eggs with a torch shining into your eyes and around 20 pairs of human eyes staring at you.
The guide was sitting there poining his torch at the turtle, whilst checking his emails!!!
But what really got me is that that you're trapsing around the beach in the dark whilst the newly hatched turtled try to make their way to the sea and you have no way of knowing how many you and everyone else is stepping on! They have enough predators to face without us ignorant human beings trampling them too.
Definitely regret going and would ask everyone intending to go to think twice!
3. Ras Al Jinz Scientific & Visitor Center
Overall Ratings
4 based on 348 reviews
Reviewed By alanjoro - Muscat, Oman
Decided to stay at the reserve on 24th August and booked ourselves about 10 days in advance using their website.
On 24th we left Muscat at about 4.20PM and with a few short stops, reached the place at about 7.30PM. At the reception we were informed that we were not charged on the card and could pay by card or cash. It was OMR 48 including taxes. The night tour was to begin at 8.30 and we were asked to assemble at the lobby 5 minutes prior to that. We noticed there were other tourists/residents coming to book only the tour (not staying at the reserve). Previously there was a restriction of 200 people per visit which is no more in place. So any number of visitors can book themselves for a tour. Abhay Pandey who was at the reception was very helpful in answering our questions with a smile.
The room was clean and since it was the closest to the reception, there was a weak wifi signal. Wifi is free for guests of the hotel. You need to request for a voucher at the reception. The voucher is valid for a day.
Saw the menu and the prices were not bad. The restaurant closes at 8.30PM.
We were at the lobby in time but the tour started at 9PM. The sky was so dark that the Milky way was visible with the naked eye. Sad I didn’t bring my tripod down with me. It was going to be a 15 minute walk to the beach. On the way we saw first one and in total 3 baby turtles having lost their way. The guide Ali, demonstrated how the baby turtles moved towards light.
Another group guided by another guide, had gone in another direction looking for turtles laying eggs. We were called there and shown the turtle laying eggs. There were 4 groups of about 25 people each. We were shown 3 turtles after which we returned.
The next morning we were ready before 5AM and the tour started at about 5.15AM. We got to see 3 turtles going back to the water after camouflaging the nest. We got to see many more babies making their way to the sea. Some were going in wrong directions. We were told that there were foxes in the area which were a threat to the baby turtles and I noticed a few paw marks and believed that information.
We were back in about 90 minutes. Had complimentary breakfast at the restaurant. The breakfast spread was decent. The usual scrambled eggs, sausages, breads, oats and the like.
Caught up on some sleep and visited the museum housed in the same building. The museum trip is passable as we noticed few of the displays were not working well. Even If you decide to visit, you can finish it in about 15 minutes. Checked out at 11.45AM and headed towards Ras Al Hadd for a visit.
4. Ras al Hadd Castle
Overall Ratings
4 based on 42 reviews
Reviewed By oppad - netherlands
Great place to experience history. The castle is in great shape. Allthough there are not many rooms you can visit that have authentic interior, the building and its location give you a sense of how it must have been in the old days. Next to it is a nice mosque which makes nice pictures together with te castle. The village is also nice and has some old houses with historic handcrafted doors with woodcarving. It is near Turtle Beach Resort, whicj I can recommend.
5. Sur Maritime Museum
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 70 reviews
Reviewed By chrissieirene75 - Saxmundham, United Kingdom
This is what my husband had come to Sur for and it didn't disappoint him! He's bored our friends and family since with his joy at being in the Dhow workshop. He felt so privileged to watch the skilled craftsmen at work.
6. Bilad Sur Castle
Overall Ratings
4 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By NZandworld - Abu Dhabi
Well restored castle with each tower of a different style. Grounds have interesting cannon, wells etc.
Facilities include clean bathrooms.
Like many Castles and forts, there is little however to explain the history or use of rooms. Imagination is required.
But still the best castle in Sur
7. Oman Tours and Camp
Overall Ratings
4 based on 2 reviews
Desert wonders for tourism & camping: -we have a tourism license issued by the ministry of tourism in Oman to organize tours and camping all over Oman our office is located in al-shargiyah region in the eastern side of Oman in bidiyah town it far 200 km from muscat. our offers: -1- spend one night in our camp.2- dune bashing3- desert crossing to arabian sea.4- camel riding.5- visit Bedouin family.6- one night with Bedouin family.
Reviewed By Aalgaithi - Muscat, Oman
منطقة في الشمال الشرقي من سلطنه عمان
شاطئ هذه المنطقه يعتبر جنه الجو رائع ولا يصوف بالكلامات ،،،،الجو بارد والموج روعه
ولكن للأسف لايوجد اهتمام من الحكومه لهذا المكان الروعه
8. Sunaysilah Fort
Overall Ratings
3 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By Praveen_Kamble - Bengaluru, India
Sunaysilah Castle is a wonderful historical architecture, having the old style built up. It has the equipments that the old people used to fight against the portugals, or the equipments that portugals might have used. One can see the olden days prison and the olden days schools where religious books have been kept.
One can see olden style utensils also. Don't forget to get inside the 4 towers at the corner, from where you can see the "SUR"....:) . One should not visit this if he/she is not interested in history.
