Oman Yacht Charter

There are few contemporary city destinations for luxury yacht charters that can compete with the majesty and mystery of Oman, a country that celebrates its past, looks to its future and offers visitors a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Visit landmarks and museums, explore the local markets known as souks or dance the night away in the roaring Muscat nightclub scene.

When travelling in the Middle East, Oman and the UAE are particularly popular to visit during the late autumn and early winter months, when the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ends the Formula One racing calendar for the year. Before and after the event (where superyachts can overlook the track from a berth at the Yas Marina), luxury yacht charters often take place within the region and also cruise to Indian Ocean destinations such as the Maldives and Seychelles.

The sprawling Oman coastline has plenty of bays that make perfect anchorages and provide your group with your own private beach. Pull out the latest motorised water toys or take your time with the kayaks and snorkelling gear for an up-close experience with the dolphins that leap through these seas.

Adventure

Oman’s striking contrasts in its natural surroundings will also appeal to nature lovers and thrill seekers; the Wahiba Sands to the south can be navigated in a 4x4, on camel or surfed down at speed for an adrenaline rush the whole family can experience.

Farther up the coast near Muscat, painters and photographers will find the quintessential desert canyon in Wadi Shab. Here, the stream is lined with palm trees and the blue of the sky is mirrored in the water in stark contrast to the towering pale brown cliffs.

Holiday makers looking to leave the coast and head inland for a day should include in their itinerary the Al Jabal Al Akhdar, a spectacular terrace made from mostly limestone mountains and used for agriculture. This peaceful retreat has also been a site of discovery in recent years where 6,000 year-old rock art sites have been uncovered.

On the way back to Muscat, visit Nizwa for some shopping in the local souk and a tour of the 17th Century fort built with secret shafts, false doors and maze-like hallways and rooms that will entertain groups of all ages.

Luxury

If your luxury charter yacht doesn't have spa facilities available on board, there's still the chance for some serene indulgence at one of the many lavish spas in Muscat. Ranging from contemporary interiors to the traditional and atmospheric, spending a couple of hours being pampered can be just as memorable as rolling down the slopes of the Wahiba Sands.

See the more modern side of Muscat and get in some high-end shopping at the city centre, where there are almost 150 shops to choose from selling fashion, jewellery, homeware, the latest technology and art and antiques.

The Muttrah Souq is a treasure hunter's paradise and clothing, silverware, frankincense, lanterns both old and new make for a vibrant visual delight and excellent souvenirs of your visit.

Culture

Modern in outlook, Oman also has a bustling night life for holiday makers on a luxury yacht charter to enjoy. Muscat in particular has plenty of bars, clubs and restaurants if you ever become tired of hosting your own spectacular celebrations aboard your superyacht.

Observe everyday life almost unchanged along the Muscat seafront, where local fishing ships head out in the morning and return for lunch out of the midday sun. Step out of the heat yourselves for a tour of the fossils in the Natural History Museum, then visit the architecturally impressive Royal Opera House for a vivid live performance of some of the most internationally acclaimed musical and theatrical acts currently on show.

Bait Al Zubair is a private family-owned museum in Muscat that opened its doors to the public in 1998 and offers comprehensive insight into past life in Oman and contains coins, antique maps, clothing, swords, stamps and furniture. The art wing contains over 400 pieces and acts as a venue for local and international artists to display their works during exhibitions throughout the year.

Saving the best for last, the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is not to be missed: The pure white exterior is made up of 300,000 tonnes of Indian sandstone expertly crafted into arches, minarets and domes. The ornate and colourful interior is decorated with a Persian rug the size of a football pitch that took three years to make and was sewn together by three expert seamstresses. Above, 1,100 lamps make up the glittering chandelier while glass-stained windows in the dome compete for your attention.

However large and mixed your charter group, Oman has something to please everyone and combines the best of outdoor excitement with thousands of years of history and culture from local and international sources. Muscat in particular is a cosmopolitan delight that should be added to any itinerary taking place in the region.