Khor Ash Sham

خور الشم

The largest and most spectacular fjord in Musandam, lined with fishing hamlets and towering cliffs. It is the classic route for full-day dhow cruises with excellent snorkelling and dolphin encounters.

Things to do

• Full-day dhow cruise — Board a traditional wooden dhow from Khasab harbour for a slow sail deep into the fjord past sheer cliffs and quiet coves.
• Snorkel at Telegraph Island — Anchor near the historic Jazirat al Maqlab to snorkel the reefs teeming with colourful fish in sheltered turquoise water.
• Dolphin watching — Spot pods of humpback and spinner dolphins that ride the bow waves of the dhows in the calm channel waters.
• Visit Telegraph Island ruins — Explore the remains of the 1860s British telegraph relay station said to inspire the phrase 'going round the bend'.
• See the fishing hamlets — Sail past isolated villages like Maqlab, Qanaha and Sham clinging to the shoreline, reachable only by boat.
• Swim and kayak in the fjord — Jump off the dhow into deep clear water or paddle a kayak beneath the towering rock walls.
• Cliff and rock formation photography — Capture the dramatic 'Norway of Arabia' scenery of golden limestone cliffs plunging straight into the sea.

Food to try

• Fresh grilled fish (samak mashwi) — Locally caught kingfish or hammour grilled and served aboard the dhow with rice and lemon.
• Omani dates and kahwa — Sweet dates paired with cardamom-spiced Omani coffee, offered as a traditional welcome on the cruise.
• Machboos — A fragrant spiced rice dish cooked with fish or chicken, dried lime and local spices.
• Harees — A hearty porridge of wheat and slow-cooked meat, popular in Musandam households.
• Omani halwa — A sticky sweet made from sugar, rosewater, ghee and nuts, served with coffee as dessert.

Local customs & good to know

• Dress modestly for swimming — Women should snorkel in shorts and a t-shirt over swimwear out of respect for local Muslim customs.
• Bring cash for Khasab — There are no shops in the fjord itself, so stock water, sunscreen and snacks in Khasab before departing.
• Respect the fishing communities — Ask permission before photographing villagers and their homes in the remote hamlets.
• Book tours from Khasab — Dhow cruises depart from Khasab town, roughly a two-hour drive or short flight from Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE.

Nearby

• Telegraph Island — 4 km
• Kumzar — 5 km
• Musandam Fjords — 7 km
• Khor Najd — 17 km