Wednesday 07 / May / 2025
Muscat: Omani children below the age of 16 have to pay just one rial to stay overnight at the Daymaniyat Islands Nature Reserve.
With the islands reopening to tourists, the country’s Environment Authority has announced the fees both Omanis and non-Omanis need to pay for certain activities during their visit.
Children of foreigners need to pay OMR3 for an overnight visit, while Omani adults will need to fork out OMR5, and non-Omani adults are required to pay OMR10 for each overnight stay.
Visitors to the islands can buy passes valid for a day, as well as up to three and six months. Overnight passes of a three-month duration are priced at OMR100, while six-month passes cost OMR200.
Omani adults who visit the island and take part in diving need to pay OMR3 for a single-day visit, while foreigners are charged OMR6. Permits that allow both visiting the islands and diving into the surrounding waters cost OMR80 for three months, OMR100 for six months and OMR150 for a duration of one year.
Standard daytime visits to the island are priced at OMR1 for Omani adults, and OMR3 for non-Omanis, with passes enabling them to visit at any time over a longer duration of between three months and a year also available.
Omani children have to pay just 100 baiza to visit the Daymaniyat Islands, while expatriate and foreign children will be set back OMR1 on visiting the reserve.
The processing time for these permits is around 30 minutes, and those who wish to apply for them must visit the website of the Environment Authority – www.meca.gov.om – and select the Services option under the Authority Services tab.
From the ensuing Service Catalogue, visitors to the website need to select the option titled ‘Request for entry tickets to Daymaniyat Islands Nature Reserve’, and follow the instructions listed there.
Those making trips to the islands are required to follow a number of rules, so as to not disturb the wildlife there, or threaten the delicate ecological balance.
“Entering or camping is prohibited during the period from 1 May to the end of October each year,” said the Environment Authority. “After this period, camping is allowed at Al Jabal Al Kabeer and Al Joon islands only. Camping is allowed at specified places for up to either 12 persons or five tents.
“Barbeque sites available on the island should be used for barbeque parties on the two said islands,” added the government body. “Collecting samples of reefs or marine species, or disturbing them while diving, and the harm of nesting turtles, and touching their eggs, is strictly prohibited.”
Visitors to the Daymaniyat Islands are also not allowed to bring samples of plants or seeds, or any pets with them, while taking flora from there is strictly forbidden. Waste should only be disposed of in designated areas, while all lights and fires – both artificial and natural – must be put out by 9pm. Those found disrupting these rules will be held responsible for their behaviour.
