What's REALLY Waiting for You in Oman - Family Travel Vlog скачать в хорошем качестве

What's REALLY Waiting for You in Oman - Family Travel Vlog

We are taking you on a five day family road trip from Dubai to Oman. This trip took us through Kalba, across the UAE–Oman border, into Muscat and out to some of the most incredible natural spots we have ever seen as a family. From swimming with sea turtles to climbing historic forts, exploring souks, and even jumping into a natural sinkhole, this is our full experience of Oman as a family living in Dubai. If you are planning a similar trip, we share everything we learned along the way – what documents you need for the border, what the costs were, how to book things like private boats, and practical tips that made travelling with kids smoother. What we did on the road trip: 👉🏻 Kalba, UAE – Our first stop on the road. Known for its mangroves, mountain conservation centre, and coastline, but for us it was the Starbucks that kept the drive moving. Still, the scenery here was beautiful and worth noting if you want to stop and explore. 👉🏻 Border crossing – A smooth and polite process, but you do need to bring passports, Emirates IDs and the car ID (that small gold card you get with the car). Without these, you will be turned away. Speed tolerance varies in different emirates, so keep to posted limits especially once you leave Dubai. 👉🏻 Mall of Oman – This is the country’s largest mall and makes a perfect family stop in Muscat. It has 350 stores, a VOX cinema, Magic Planet, a Carrefour hypermarket, endless dining options and will even open a snow park soon. For us it was just a food stop, but it is worth more time if you have kids. 👉🏻 Jumeirah Muscat Bay – Our base for the trip. We booked a suite with two extra beds for the boys and were so impressed by the modern design, cleanliness and service. The setting is stunning, with cliffs behind and a bay in front. Half board worked perfectly for us with breakfast and dinner, and the WhatsApp concierge from the room key QR code was brilliant for bookings and questions. 👉🏻 Dimaniyat Islands – This was the highlight. A private boat trip that included three parts: snorkeling with sea turtles, exploring a coral reef, and then jet skis and kayaking. Swimming with turtles in clear water was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for us and the boys, and easily one of the best family travel memories we have ever made. The islands are protected, so from May to November you cannot land on the beaches due to turtle nesting season, but you can still snorkel and explore by boat. It was not cheap, but it was absolutely worth it. 👉🏻Muttrah Fort and Souk – The fort dates back to around 1500 AD and offers amazing views plus a little café at the top. The Muttrah Souk is everything you expect from a Middle Eastern market – busy, friendly, and full of energy. You will be offered everything from frankincense to fake Rolex watches. Bring cash, haggle politely, and enjoy the theatre of it. 👉🏻 Bimmah Sinkhole – A limestone crater filled with turquoise water about an hour and a half drive from Muscat Bay. The drive itself felt like an adventure, with rocky mountain roads and stunning scenery. Swimming in the sinkhole was an incredible experience, though we would recommend more modest swimwear out of respect for local norms. Travel tips if you are driving Dubai to Oman: ✅ Border documents: passports, Emirates IDs, car registration ID. ✅ Driving: Fill up with fuel in advance, some stretches have no proper service stations. Roads into mountain areas can be rough, so take it slow. ✅ Currency: Oman uses the Rial. Quick conversions – 1 Rial is about 2 British pounds, or 10 UAE dirhams. ✅ Weather: noticeably cooler than Dubai, even in August we could eat outside by the water. ✅ Kids: bring snorkels, reef shoes and pool noodles. Our boys loved the wildlife, spotting crabs at sunrise, and snorkelling without life jackets by the end. ✅ Food: restaurants at the resort book up quickly, use the WhatsApp concierge to reserve tables. ✅ Souks: haggling is expected, but salespeople are friendly. A smile and a polite no is enough if you do not want something. Our thoughts: Oman is calmer and slower than Dubai, with landscapes and experiences you simply cannot get in the UAE. It felt like a completely different world even though it was just a five hour drive from our home in Dubai. The sea turtle day was unforgettable, the sinkhole was stunning, and even the drives between places felt like an adventure. Would we come again? 100 percent yes. If you have questions about crossing the border, planning the drive, booking a boat, or picking a resort in Muscat, let us know in the comments. And if you are planning a move to Dubai and want honest advice on schools, housing and family life, say hello below – we are always happy to share our experience.