New entry fees for visitors to Oman’s Damaniyat Islands

Muscat: If you’re planning to visit Damaniyat Islands in Oman, you need to pay an entrance fee, according to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs.

On November 26th , His Excellency Mohammed bin Salim bin Said Al Toobi, the Minister of Environment and Climate Affairs has issued a decision stipulating entry fees and prohibiting the entry to the reserve and camping overnight without permission from the Ministry.

An Omani adult have to pay OMR 1 to enter the reserve while Omani children under 16-year of age shall pay 100 baisa. Expatriates have to pay OMR 3, while children will have to pay OMR 1 (OMR 30 for three-months, OMR 50 for six months and OMR 100 for one-year)

For visiting and diving, Omanis have to pay OMR 3 while expatriates will have to pay OMR 6.

For visit, diving and for one-night camping, Omanis will have to pay OMR 5, while expats will have to pay OMR 10 (OMR 80 for three months, OMR 100 FOR six months and OMR 150 for one year).

For visit and camping for a single day, Omanis will have to pay by OMR1 and expats OMR 3.



“It is prohibited to enter the reserve or overnight camping without the permission from the Ministry or during the nesting period of birds from first of May till the end of October every year.”

Fishing, hunting or collecting any wildlife antiques or even stones from the reserve is also banned by the ministry. “It is prohibited to perform any actions that harm the marine life or coral reefs, or even collecting them, or damaging the birds or nesting turtles inside the reserve, disturbing them, touch their eggs or move them,” the statement from the ministry said.

“Establishing any new facility or expanding old buildings inside the reserve except by permission is also prohibited. Use of drones except by permission is also not allowed,” the statement read.

“Anyone who violates the provisions of Article 2 of this decision will be charged with an administrative fine of not less than OMR 50, and not more than OMR 100 for that of individuals. For diving companies, violating the rules will cost OMR 100 and can exceed not more than OMR 300. The fine doubles for repeat offenders,” the statement read.

The decision was issued on November 26 and is effective from the next day of its publication in the official gazette.