Wadi Shab is a masterclass of natural beauty and is one of our top recommendations for people visiting Oman. If you are reading this, then you more than likely already know what Wadi Shab is, but for those of you who don’t, it’s one of the most picturesque gorges you’ll ever see, with a handful of emerald green pools, a cave and a hidden waterfall at the end.
As you hike the 45 minutes through Wadi Shab, the landscape will make you feel tiny in comparison and leave you in awe of its grandeur and ruggedness. While the hike would be worth the journey alone, the real prize of Wadi Shab awaits you at the end. A collection of crystal clear pools, one after the other, that look like they came straight out of the pages of an Arabian fairytale book.
How to Get to Wadi Shab
The best way to get to Wadi Shab from Muscat is by car, which is a 1-hour 40-minute. Although it's not very well signposted, i.e., not at all until you reach the turning right at the end, it is very easy to find. Follow Route 17 southbound from Muscat for around 95 minutes until you see the signpost for Wadi Shab. We recommend using Google Maps to know when the turning is, as it can be easy to miss. Once you come off the highway, it's another 2 minutes of the same road, and you’ll find the car park directly under the highway.
How to get to Wadi Shab from Muscat
Leaving for Wadi Shab early to try and beat the midday sun for the hike, the gorge is wide and sun filled, and it gets very hot.
Parking at Wadi Shab
Parking is free at Wadi Shab, but the car park is small. We didn’t have any issues finding a space, but on busy days, you may need to park down the street and walk back to the entrance. Once you’ve parked up and you’re organising your things, watch out for the sneaky local goats, cute as they are, I literally had to fight one from jumping in the car!
There are two toilet blocks in the car park at Wadi Shab, one as you drive in and one attached to the cafe. These will be your last opportunity to use an actual toilet. As soon as you cross over on the boat, there will not be another toilet until you return to these.
The Boat Crossing to Wadi Shab
You will need to take a 2-minute boat ride to the start of the Wadi Shab hike, which will cost OMR 1 per person for a return trip. You pay as you get on the boat, so there is no need to book anything ahead of time. This boat is your only way across the river to the start of the hike and, therefore, is also your only way back! So, make sure you ask what time they stop on the day. For us, the last boat across was at 5 pm, but this may be different for you.
Hiking through Wadi Shab
The hike through the gorge is absolutely stunning, and the rough, rugged terrain is a magnificent backdrop and picturesque setting. But with that comes a fairly strenuous walk. The trail through Wadi Shab takes you over some rough terrain, large boulders and a few precarious pathways with sheer drops to one side. For an able-bodied person, this won’t be anything to worry about and should take around 45 minutes; just be prepared for this and take your time.
We did the hike in thongs (flip flops for any non-Aussies), and we were okay, but I would recommend more stable footwear for most people.
There are also patches where you may need to walk through shallow water. These were very few and far between, but I could imagine this could vary depending on rainfall.
The path is marked by black arrows, but these can sometimes point to different paths, so it's a flip of a coin as to which is the easiest route through Wadi Shab. But don’t worry, they really don’t vary much.
Swimming at Wadi Shab
What makes Wadi Shab the best wadi in Oman is the swimming pools.
You’ll find the first pool right at the end of the hike. This is the furthest point that you can walk into the gorge without going past the great big “Warning” signs, so you’re not going to miss it. The other pools are only accessible by swimming up the gorge through the first pool. As you swim/climb from pool to pool, you’ll be going over some slippery rocks, so I highly recommend reef shoes if you have them.
The cave is found at the very end of the pools at Wadi Shab, about 15-20 minutes further into the gorge. The pools along the way are deep, with few opportunities to rest. If you are not a strong swimmer and cannot tread water comfortably for long periods of time, I would not recommend attempting the swim. If you still insist on going to the cave regardless, you can hire life vests from the car park at the very start.
The entrance to the Wadi Shab cave is very narrow, to the point that I had to turn my body sideways to fit through, and you have to swim through deep water. It is not something for the faint-hearted or anyone who suffers from claustrophobia. But, if you can manage it, it’s pretty cool, swimming through a small crack in the rock wall to find a hidden chamber on the other side.
Inside the cave you will find a small waterfall running down through a hole in the roof of the cave. There are few places to hold on and take a break from swimming, so I’ll repeat it again: you do have to be a fairly strong swimmer, at least when it comes to treading water.
What to Bring to Wadi Shab
Water/snacks - There is a small cafe in the car park, but once you cross to the start of the walk, there is nothing but nature. So pack plenty of water for the day and snacks to tie you over.
Reef Shoes - Reef Shoes would be the best compromise of comfortable footwear for both the walk and climbing between the pools at Wadi Shab.
Or, Hiking Shoes - If you prefer more supportive footwear for the hike, then you could wear hiking shoes but from our perspective, they are not really required.
Dry bag - Most of your exploring will be done by swimming through the pools at the end of Wadi Shab, so you’ll need a dry bag to carry any valuables. Anything else will have to be left unattended at the first pool. While everyone seems to be doing this happily, we recommend leaving anything of value in the car. You can purchase dry bags at the car park if you forget yours.
Waterproof phone case - If you want to take photos on your phone as you explore the pools of Wadi Shab, you will need a waterproof case, ideally with a neck strap to keep your hands free whilst swimming. These can also be purchased at the car park but aren’t very good quality. If you drop your phone in the water, good luck trying to retrieve it; some pools are very deep.
Sun protection - There is very little shade along the Wadi Shab hike (apart from in the cave), so adequate sun protection, such as sunscreen and a hat, is highly recommended.
Is Wadi Shab the best wadi in Oman? In our opinion, yes.
Also, Wadi Shab is up there as one of the best experiences you can have in Oman. Whether you stop there on your way to Sur or as a day trip from Muscat, it is worth the trip.
Need More Help?
See our Oman Travel Guide to help you understand what to expect before you go on your trip to Oman.