Oman Kite Camp: The Jewel of Arabia on 28/07/2024

Depart Muscat and travel 5 hours south via car to the Eastern Omani coast to Barr Al Hickman. Known for stunning flat lagoons, endless white sands and plentiful biodiversity, Barr Al Hickman is a wetland paradise, an area of outstanding importance for West Asian-East African migratory birds, and the home of the longest natural sand bar in the Middle East. Roomy 4mx4m Bedouin tents will be set up for guests on arrival, 2 guests per tent, meaning you can get straight down to the business of kitesurfing on arrival. Although wash facilities and camping showers will be provided, guests should note that toilet facilities will be basic due to the nature of wild camping. Each guest will be provided with a cot bed, camping mattress & pillow, bed linen, a torch, wet wipes, soap, and toothbrush & toothpaste. Camp chairs are provided, and there will be a traditional communal Majlis (Arabic for “sitting room”) tent to provide shade throughout the day.

All meals, snacks and refreshments will be provided with food freshly cooked by our excellent local chefs. Cuisine will range from local Omani delicacies such as mishkak (marinated, skewered meats grilled over a firepit); to fresh crab, squid and grilled fish all cooked on beach BBQs. Service will be informal with guests invited to sit with each other around one large camping table. Lunches will be served on location consisting of sandwiches, pastas and local meats, rice, breads, and vegetables, always with a selection of fresh fruits and juices. Breakfast each morning will include cereals, preserves and toast with eggs, chicken sausages, and hummus along with plenty of hot tea and coffee. Finally, a much-needed pick-me-up comes every afternoon in the form of hot Arabic coffee, dates, and biscuits. Dietary requirements & allergies can be catered for on consultation.

There are three excellent kitesurfing locations at Barr Al Hickman, consisting of two main lagoons and the big sand bank the location is known for. Having enjoyed Camp Lagoon on Day 1, Day 2 will consist of morning and afternoon kitesurfing sessions at the smaller lagoon with the sand bar reserved for Day 3, depending on the conditions. Kitesurfing lessons are available through Majan Sea Sports, catering for all experience levels and providing equipment for rent. Children from eight years old can kitesurf with permission from their parents/legal guardian. Other activities available include stand-up paddle boarding and volleyball, and, as the sun goes down, guests can gather to share their experiences of the day in the Majlis over Arabic afternoon tea.

Departing Barr Al Hickman in the morning, we will make the short crossing via ferry to Masirah Island, an island of archaeological importance due to the large number of Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Age sites dotted all over the terrain. The island is also known for impressive waves and perfect kitesurfing conditions due to warm, summer monsoon winds; a kitesurfer’s paradise. Accommodation will be at a shared double and single occupancy guesthouse in the centre of town, with breakfast and lunch again served on location. As soon as you’re settled in, we’ll hit the surf to explore the first location on the island, either East or West side, dependent on which conditions you prefer. For dinner, guests are welcome to venture into town and dine at one of the local restaurants ranging in cuisine from local Omani fare to pizza: Babu’s Kitchen Restaurant or Abu Said Yamani are popular haunts and very reasonably priced.

Masirah Island truly has a kitesurfing spot to suit all tastes, with beginners and intermediate surfers preferring the calmer waters on the West side of the island; and the more advanced and thrill-seeking riders enjoying the waves on the East side. There are a vast number of surfing locations, and our local guides not only know all the best spots, but the best-kept secret locations too. For travellers interested in trekking, Masirah Island has a rough and rugged beauty, strewn with fossils; and a local ghost story tells of jinn that live in Jebel Humr (274m), the highest point on the island with amazing viewpoints. A local guide can be organized to take you on a tour and possibly spot the Egyptian vultures that make the mountain their home.

We will depart Masirah Island early in the morning to take the coastal road back to Muscat. If the weather permits, a final hike at Wadi Shab is possible. Wadi Shab, known for its beauty and breath-taking pools of water, makes an excellent swimming spot after a hike to take the edge off the heat of the day. The hike down is adventurous, but successful hikers will be rewarded with a cool dip and a gorgeous waterfall. What better way to round off a truly revitalising trip and your very own Arabian adventure.