Musandam: Where the Gulf meets the mountains in Oman

Musandam Governorate sits at the northern tip of Oman, where the Arabian Gulf butts against the high Hajar Mountains. Sea and rock meet in one place - travelers who want both thrills and rest pick Musandam first.

Steep cliffs drop straight into clear water. Old wooden dhows glide through narrow saltwater channels that look like Norwegian fjords. Local people call those channels khors plus visitors photograph them more than anything else.

The sea draws crowds. Boats leave the harbor at dawn to look for dolphins - anchor above reefs so passengers swim or dive. Coral gardens and bright fish sit just below the surface - first time snorkelers and veteran divers both find plenty to watch.

If you stay on land, the Hajar Mountains give footpaths but also rock climbs for every fitness level. Each trail ends at a ridge that overlooks the Gulf - you see water on one side and rock on the other in a single sweep.

People have lived here for centuries. Dhows once stopped at Musandam on the way to India - the coast still has stone forts such as Khasab Fort. Farmers grow limes on stone terraces and fishermen pull nets by hand - visitors watch both jobs in mountain hamlets as well as shore villages.

Khor Sham and other side bays hide behind high cliffs. No road reaches them - you arrive by boat or on foot. Once there, you hear only waves and birds.

Empty beaches, silent bays or slow dhow cruises give a place to unwind. Come between November besides March for mild days. Book boat trips and dive slots early. You reach Musandam by car from Dubai in two hours or by short flight to Khasab - leave with memories of rock, sea and tradition packed together.