ما وراء صلالة

Two old ports in one day: Taqah’s castle and fishing beach, Khor Rori on the way, then Mirbat’s castle, harbour and the Bin Ali tomb.

The blowholes at Al Marneef and the long Mughsail beach, then a winding mountain road to the white-sand coves of Fazayah.

A green valley with a lake, grazing camels and a waterfall after a good khareef, then the vast Tawi Atair sinkhole in the hills above.

Over the mountains to the gravel plains: the ruined caravan fort at Shisr, linked to the legend of Ubar, at the edge of the Empty Quarter.

A rock overhang above the sea where waves shoot up through holes in the platform. Most dramatic with a big swell; gentler once the sea calms.

A long, wide beach backed by cliffs and a lagoon. Swim only when the sea is calm.

Quiet white-sand coves under steep cliffs, reached by a twisting mountain road.

One of the largest sinkholes in the world, ringed by trees and birdsong. Viewing platforms sit at the rim.

A lake, travertine cliffs and grazing herds in a green valley; the waterfall depends on the khareef’s rains.

A high viewpoint over the coastal plain towards Mirbat, reached by a mountain road.

A wide bay with fishing boats and a lagoon behind the sand, below the town.