Musandam, Oman’s rugged northern tip, has just hosted something new, its first international diving festival. The four-day event, launched on Monday, brought together professionals, hobby divers and adventure seekers. For organisers, it wasn’t just about competition. It was about putting Musandam’s name on the world diving map.
Musandam Welcomes Its First International Diving Festival
Competitions filled the days. Free-diving races. Long-distance swims. Kayak sprints across the calm stretch of Khor Qadah. Then came the photographers, cameras in hand, slipping beneath the surface to frame Musandam’s coral and fish.
The line-up was varied. Some challenges were about speed. Others tested stamina. Photography leaned on creativity. Together, it felt less like a single sport and more like a showcase of what the region can offer.
Races, Kayaks And Cameras Underwater
The guest list added weight. Egyptian diver Ahmed Gabr, known for holding the world record for the deepest scuba dive, spoke about his journey. Alongside him was Bahraini para-athlete Faisal Jawad, a three-time Guinness World Record holder, who shared his experience of diving with disability. Their talks drew the crowd in and gave Musandam’s festival an international voice.
Cleaning Reefs, Planting Corals
Sport wasn’t the only focus. Conservation was woven through the schedule. Divers carried out the largest reef clean-up Musandam has seen, while others worked on coral planting in protected spots. Workshops followed, including diving medicine, tourism tools, and eco-training. Small steps, but the kind that keep a destination alive for the long run.
Hidden Depths, Rare Views
Not all dives were about racing. Some were exploratory. Teams descended to Musandam’s deepest sea point, an area few had seen. Early dives reported sheer underwater cliffs, bold rock formations and a rush of marine life. Officials are hoping those discoveries will fuel Musandam’s adventure tourism push.
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A Statement From the Top
“This festival is about showing the world Musandam’s beauty while protecting it,” said Mubarak Al Rahbi, general director of the governor’s office. Government departments and private sponsors have backed the event, describing it as part of Oman’s bigger strategy: building eco-tourism while keeping the environment intact.
When the festival closed, the message was clear. Musandam wants its name carried far beyond these four days, as a destination where diving, sport and sustainability meet.
Cover Image Courtesy: CanvaPro/ultramarinfoto from Getty Images Signature
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