When to visit - Oman
Best times to visit Oman
The winter months between November and March are the best time to visit Oman with daytime temperatures averaging in between 25°C and 30°C. This is hot to us North Europeans but not by Middle Eastern standards and these are certainly pleasant temperatures for exploring Muscat, Wahiba Sands and the Al Hajar Mountains as well as Salalah and the Empty Quarter and the Musandam Peninsula. Evenings and nights during these winter months are cooler and if you’re up in the mountains or out in the desert, you might find you even need to wear a jumper or a light coat.
Good times to visit Oman
As April progresses, temperatures in Oman start to rise significantly but are still not as intense as later in the summer so it is still fine to visit during April, although the earlier in the month you can do so the better. Easter holidays to Oman are popular and hotels and flights do tend to get booked up quite early, so do keep this in mind when planning your trip. October is the month where the high temperatures of the summer subside and as the month develops, conditions become perfect for adventures out into the desert. Being an easy seven-hour flight from the UK, Oman is a great destination to explore as a family during the October half-term.
Summer in Oman
Oman has very little rainfall at any time of year, but, as is the case everywhere in the Middle East, the summer months between May and September are blisteringly hot with temperatures often nudging up beyond 40°C. Visiting Muscat and Wahiba Sands is best avoided during these months. Although heading up to the Al Hajar Mountains will allow you cooler temperatures at night, you’ll still find it tough going if you wish to do hiking during the day, although it is possible. If you wish to travel during the summer months’ we recommend turning your attention to the south of Oman around Salalah where temperatures are more bearable due to the south-eastern monsoon, known as the Khareef, which can run from June until early-September.
- Best time to travelBest time to travel
- Good time to travelGood time to travel
- Green seasonGreen season
- Cool temperaturesCool temperatures
- Very coldVery cold
Muscat & Surrounds Weather Information (Muscat)
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best time to travel | Best time to travel | Best time to travel | Best time to travel | Best time to travel | Best time to travel | Best time to travel | Best time to travel | Best time to travel | Best time to travel | Best time to travel | Best time to travel | |
Max Temp °C | 25 | 26 | 29 | 34 | 40 | 40 | 38 | 36 | 36 | 35 | 30 | 27 |
Min Temp °C | 17 | 18 | 20 | 24 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 27 | 24 | 21 | 18 |
Hours Daylight | 11.5 | 11.5 | 11.5 | 11.5 | 11.5 | 11.5 | 11.5 | 11.5 | 11.5 | 11.5 | 11.5 | 11.5 |
Rainfall (mm) | 10 | 5 | 17 | 11 | - | 33 | - | 3 | - | - | 4 | 3 |
October - March: As October progresses the stifling heat of the summer months begins to fade and temperatures from mid-October until mid-March around Muscat are comparatively pleasant (°C in the late 20s rather than late 30s). The best time therefore to visit the north of Oman, including Muscat, the Al Hajar Mountains, Wahiba Sands and the Musandam peninsula, is between the months of October and March.
If you are travelling with kids, this therefore means that the October half term and Christmas school holidays are ideal times to visit and, depending on when it falls, the Easter holidays can also be fine. However, if you wish to visit Oman during these school holidays, you should look to book early as the best family hotels can get fully booked well in advance. Our Family Adventure in Oman itinerary slots in perfectly to a Christmas or Easter holiday.
The most well-known festival in Northern Oman’s calendar is the Muscat Festival, which takes place in January to February each year. Hotels are busy during the festival, but those who do visit at this time are rewarded with a wide range of events which embrace many different aspects of Omani culture, including art, heritage, fashion, food and music. Ramadan can also be a very interesting time to visit Oman, if you are prepared for inconveniences surrounding food and drink.
Evenings and nights from October to March can often be chilly, especially if you are in the mountains.
April - September: The summer months around Muscat and northern Oman are scorchingly hot, with temperatures regularly reaching 40°C and above. Visiting this part of Oman is usually best avoided during the summer months, although visitors who can bear the heat are often rewarded if they visit Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve from June and August, as this is the best time to see turtle s laying their eggs on the beach. For most people wishing to travel to Oman during the summer, we would recommend visiting Salalah and the south, where temperatures are more bearable because of the Khareef (see below).
Salalah & the Empty Quarter Weather Information (Salalah & surrounds)
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best time to travel | Best time to travel | Best time to travel | Best time to travel | Best time to travel | Best time to travel | Best time to travel | Best time to travel | Best time to travel | Best time to travel | Best time to travel | Best time to travel | |
Max Temp °C | 28 | 28 | 30 | 32 | 33 | 32 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 29 |
Min Temp °C | 19 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 20 |
Hours Daylight | 11.5 | 11.5 | 11.5 | 11.5 | 11.5 | 11.5 | 11.5 | 11.5 | 11.5 | 11.5 | 11.5 | 11.5 |
Rainfall (mm) | - | 1 | 1 | - | 3 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 2 | 4 | 5 | - |
October - March: Weather conditions and temperatures in Salalah and the Dhofar Governorate from October to March are usually similar to those found in the north, meaning that this is a great time to visit all of Oman.
April - September: Salalah and the south of Oman experiences nothing like the stifling temperatures that the north does during the summer and this means that a visit during these months is still fine. Temperatures are kept significantly lower because of what is known as the Khareef, an Arabic term for the monsoon which affects Dhofar as well as much of Yemen, Saudi Arabia and Sudan and usually hits between June and September each year. Salalah is one of the only places in the gulf to experience significant rainfall and it causes the surrounding land to be cloaked in lush green vegetation. Although the Khareef does mean less sunshine, the rain is not relentless and daytime temperatures are typically very pleasant for exploring, around 25-28°C. Although one should note that the mountains are often covered with cloud and light-drizzle at this time. The Salalah Festival, also known as the Khareef Festival, happens from mid-July to the end of August each year and features cultural shows, concerts and sporting events.