MARINA BANDAR AL ROWDHA

Dolphins are abundant in the waters around Muscat, and you're almost guaranteed to see them - sometimes even hundreds of them - when you take part in a boat trip along the coast. Whatever the company, the program is always more or less the same and consists of sailing along the "wildest" part of the capital, the one with the most indented shores, namely the area around Al Bustan, Sidab and Old Muscat (the south-eastern section of the city). Here, not far from the Al Bustan and Shangri-La hotels, a small marina serves as an anchorage for dhows and boats of all kinds: the Bandar al Rowdha Marina, complete with Italian restaurant and swimming pool. It's from here that cruises generally depart, lasting an average of 2 to 3 hours depending on the program and whether or not snorkeling is included. Dolphins are almost always present, and are happy to follow the boats: a spectacle made all the more visual by the raw, arid coastline punctuated by ochre mountains. As you approach old Muscat, you can see the Al Mirani and Al Jibali forts, as well as the sultan's palace in the distance. Several serious companies are present at the marina, so don't hesitate to shop around and compare prices: Al Sansool Cruises (www.alsansool.com - ✆ +968 9679 0191), GCC Tours (www.gcctoursmuscat.com - ✆ +968 9901 3424), Az'Zaha Tours (www.azzahatours.com - ✆ 9942 5461), etc.