Winter: the classic touring season
Days are sunny and comfortable, perfect for long drives, desert camps and hiking. Mountain and desert nights can be cold, so bring a warm layer.
Best Time to Visit Oman
The best time to visit Oman is from October to April, when days in Muscat are warm rather than hot and nights in the desert and mountains are cool. December to February is the most comfortable and the busiest. From May to September it is very hot inland and on the northern coast, except in Salalah, where the khareef turns the hills green from late June to September.
Month-by-month guide
Pick a month
Bars show typical daytime temperatures in Muscat. The mountains are cooler, and the desert is cold at night in winter.
Best touring seasonKhareef in SalalahHot in the north
November · about 30°C in Muscat
Pleasant, about 30°C.
Best for: everything, and ideal for the desert and wadis
Oman weather by month
| Month | Weather in Muscat and the north (typical daytime) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| January Season | Mild, about 25°C, with cold nights in the mountains. | Touring, desert camps, hiking and Jebel Shams |
| February Season | Mild and sunny, about 26°C. | The peak touring season, so book early |
| March Season | Warm, about 29°C. | Wadis and the coast; the rose season begins on Jebel Akhdar |
| April Season | Hot by day, about 34°C. | Jebel Akhdar roses, early-morning activities and snorkelling |
| May | Very hot, near 40°C. | Short stays, the mountains and beach resorts |
| June Khareef | Very hot in the north. The khareef starts in Salalah late in the month. | Salalah and Dhofar |
| July Khareef | Very hot and humid on the coast. | Salalah's khareef and the cooler air of Jebel Akhdar |
| August Khareef | Very hot and humid. | Salalah's khareef |
| September Khareef | Hot. The khareef ends in Salalah. | The late khareef in Salalah; turtle hatchlings at Ras al Jinz |
| October Season | Hot early in the month, cooling to about 33°C. | The start of the touring season, with quieter roads |
| November Season | Pleasant, about 30°C. | Everything, and ideal for the desert and wadis |
| December Season | Mild, about 27°C. | Winter holidays, the peak season, so book early |
Temperatures are approximate daytime averages for Muscat.
Seasons in more detail
Spring: roses on Jebel Akhdar
Days warm up and the crowds thin. The rose terraces of Jebel Akhdar bloom and villages distil rose water. Plan outdoor activities for the morning.
Summer: Salalah's khareef
Too hot for most touring in the north, but the best time for Salalah: the hills of Dhofar turn green, waterfalls run and temperatures stay mild.
Autumn: the new season begins
Days are still hot at first but cool quickly, and roads and hotels are quieter than in winter.
Turtles at Ras al Jinz
Green turtles nest at Ras al Jinz all year. Nesting is busiest in the warmer months, and summer is the best time to see them.
Ramadan
Ramadan moves about 11 days earlier each year. Tours still run, but please avoid eating and drinking in public during daylight. Hotels serve guests as usual.
Tours for each season
Guided · 9 days
Essence of Oman
- Muscat
- Barka
- Jebel Shams
- Nizwa
- Wahiba Sands
- Wadi Shab
- Daymaniyat Islands
Our classic first visit with an English-speaking guide: the Grand Mosque, the rim of Jebel Shams, Nizwa, a night in the Wahiba Sands and a night on the Daymaniyat Islands.
From, per person · 2 travellersOMR 730 €1,710
Guided · 10 days
Muscat to Salalah
- Wadi Shab
- Sur
- Ras al Jinz
- Sugar Dunes
- Salalah
- Dhofar
A guided road trip down the quiet south-east coast: turtles at Ras al Jinz, the white Sugar Dunes of Khaluf and three days in Dhofar.
From, per person · 2 travellersOMR 1,090 €2,540
Self-drive · 8 days
Family
Family Adventure
- Muscat
- Bimmah Sinkhole
- Wadi Bani Khalid
- Ras al Jinz
- Wahiba Sands
- Nizwa
- Al Hoota Cave
- Daymaniyat Islands
Short drives and days children remember: a swim at the Bimmah Sinkhole, a night in the dunes, turtles at Ras al Jinz and a snorkelling trip.
From, per person · 4 travellers (2 adults, 2 children under 12)OMR 400 €940
October to April suits Essence of Oman, Glimpse of Oman, Family Adventure, Luxury Travel Oman and Off-Road Adventure. Late June to September suits Muscat to Salalah, timed for the khareef.
Questions
Seasons and weather
What is the best month to visit Oman?
November to February are the most comfortable months, with daytime temperatures of about 25 to 30°C in Muscat. October, March and April are also good, with fewer visitors.
When is the khareef in Salalah?
From late June to September, the monsoon brings mist and light rain to Dhofar, the hills turn green and waterfalls run.
Can I visit Oman in summer?
Yes, but plan around the heat. Salalah is mild during the khareef, and Jebel Akhdar is cooler than the coast. Inland and on the northern coast it is very hot from May to September.
When can I see turtles at Ras al Jinz?
Green turtles nest at Ras al Jinz all year. Nesting is busiest in the warmer months, and summer is the best time to see them.
Start planning
Tell us when you'd like to travel
We'll suggest the best route for that time of year. We reply within one business day.
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