Wadi Bani Khalid, Oman (2025)

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Wadi Bani Khalid

Wadi Bani Khaled, in Oman’s Ash Sharqiyah region, is an oasis nestled between much more arid surroundings. The wadi has water year-round, creating a lush, green landscape around a large pool, making it look more like Sri Lanka than the Arabian Gulf!

At Wadi Bani Khaled, you can swim in natural pools, relax and have lunch at the water’s edge, stroll around the oasis, hike through narrow canyons and even explore hidden caves. The refreshingly cool water makes it a popular spot to escape the heat but it wasn’t crowded when we went.

This hidden wadi is an excellent choice if you’re looking for an outdoor experience that offers both relaxation and a short hike.

If you want to go up the wadi, you need either waterproof shoes or ones you can easily take off as you walk through water at a couple of points. You only need hiking boots if you’re going to go for a longer hike. I just wore Skechers and went as far as Wadi Bani Khalid cave.

It’s easily accessible by car on a paved road but you’ll have to park a little away from the oasis, depending on how busy it is. It took us just a few minutes to walk. You don’t need to go on the hike. You can just sit and enjoy the spectacular view of the oasis and lake at Wadi Bin Khalid.

The restaurant serves meals and some snacks. There were some tour groups, though, making waiting time a bit longer. We bought tea and snacks at the little kiosk on the way out.

• The drive from Sur to Wadi Bani Khalid takes around an hour and a half.
• The drive from Muscat to Wadi Bani Khalid takes around 2 hours and 45 minutes.
• How to get to Wadi Bani Khalid from Muscat? – Take Route 1 out of Muscat, then merge onto Route 15, look out for the exit onto Route 23 towards Ibra, and continue on that route until Romail, where you’ll see the exit to Wadi Bani Khalid signposted. From there, it’s about half an hour to the oasis.
• Can you swim in the lake at Oasis Wadi Bani Khalid? Yes, you can, and also in pools in the wadi.

Where to stay near Wadi Bani Khalid?

Al Joud Green Hostel (not a hostel!) has a private pool, plunge pool, hot tub and a great location. It also allows pets and has excellent reviews with a rating of 9.6 Exceptional.

✅ Book a fantastic two-bedroom chalet with private pool and mountain view

Our journey beyond Wadi Bani Khalid

From Wadi Bani Khalid, we continued to Al Hamra near Nizwa and stayed in a restored old house in the old part of town. This experience is wonderfully unique, especially wandering through the alleys and nearby farms.

We visited the scenic oasis and the old town of Misfat Abriyeen the following day. Next, we ascended Jebel Shams for an overnight stay in a stone house and an unmissable hike along the canyon side the following day.

I have included more details of this and other areas to visit nearby in my updated post Best Things to do in Nizwa and around Nizwa. If you haven’t explored this area yet, I highly recommend it.

You can find some recommendations of hotels on the Nizwa post but we stayed at Al Hamra Old House and The Mountain Rest House at Jebel Shams.

✅ See the other areas visited on this road trip in Oman

✅ Buy Rough Guide to Oman 2024📗

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