The drive to the large bay of Fazayah, about 80 km west of Salalah, is already fun, because the route leads past Mughsail beach to the hairpin curves on the flanks of Wadi Afawl and on to the heights of Jebel Qamar. Up there, you feel a bit like the lookout in the mast of a sailing ship: sea breeze and an unobstructed view to the horizon, except that there are also the steep rocky cliffs with their bizarre formations. A steep but good path leads down to several small and large sandy beaches. Now it's the perfect time to put on your swimming clothes and dive into the waves of the Indian Ocean.

Coming down from the mountains, you’ll head west to popular Mughsail. The first stop is the beautiful sand beach, sprinkled with gazebos and palm trees for those who want to rest in the shade as they listen to the waves. The mountains come very close to the ocean at that point and make for magnificent views.

Another featured sight at Mughsail are the blowholes, where water from the sea forces its way through the rock, shooting up to 28 m high in peak season. High tide during Khareef brings the best sights, but the phenomenon may be observed at high tides throughout the year. Between the beach and the blowholes you will pass the lagoon, a haven for birds migrating between Africa and Europe or Asia.

The final stop west will be Masood Beach, a beautiful white sand beach, tucked so neatly into the mountains, some call it the ‘hidden beach.’ The close combination of sheer mountains with the sand and water are a stunning sight to enjoy. The return journey to Salalah will include a view of famed frankincense trees and at many points along the trip you may get the chance to see camels or other animals of Dhofar.