When to visit Oman

The summers in Oman are scorching hot, making for less-than-ideal conditions for exploration. Temperatures across the various landscapes of Oman regularly reach above 96.8 F (36 C) degrees. Desert destinations such as the vast Empty Quarter and Wahiba Sands are even more extreme, with high temperatures of 131 degrees F (45c) by noon and days that push to 122 F (50 C), creating outdoor conditions that are intolerable for many travelers. An exception is Salalha whose average temperatures of 81°F are considerably cooler than the rest of Oman. But it’s also beautiful at this time of year, its plantations, coconut-fringed beaches, and desert landscapes rendered lush by the drizzly monsoon rains that make landfall throughout August.

Omani winters provide the best opportunity for travel across the country, with temperatures in Muscat hovering around an agreeable 68 – 77 F (20-25 C) with low humidity, making walking the city’s ornate streets a pleasure to walk. Nights can be chilly enough for a jumper in the mountains, but rainfall is low outside the more northern Musandam Peninsula. The coldest months are December and January, with temperatures generally in the 68 F (20 C) region, ideal for trekking into the desert, whose temperatures fluctuate between hot days and cool nights, perfect for camping under the stars in the Wahiba Sands. Hotels can be expensive as availability drops due to demand, particularly around the New Year but January and February see a slight thinning in numbers due to the short sharp bouts of rainfall.