From Sur it was only 45 minutes to Ras Al Jinz. The final approach to the reserve we travelled about 3 km along a dirt track. I had booked us into the rooms at the reserve’s main building, from where the nighttime beach tours start. You can do the tours from other places, but those who stay at the reserve’s resort get priority.
We checked in and set off to visit the beach, which is open for general visits before 17:00. So far in Oman we had not been impressed with the beaches, but this was lovely. The beach was lined with sandstone cliffs that had been carved into phantasmic shapes by the elements.
For a while we had wanted to go into the sea, at least for a paddle. Here was a chance. Unfortunately, the currents were too strong to safely swim, so we took off our shoes and waded in. It was lovely.
After walking the 1.5km to the resort we settled in for a few hours before our tour to the beach at 20:30.
Ras Al Jinz is a protected natural area, operated by the Omani government. Every year thousands of endangered green sea turtles come to these beaches to lay their eggs. The main season for the turtles to come to the beaches is June through August, which are the hottest months in Oman. Visitors who come then are there only for the turtles because it is too hot to visit much of the rest of the country. Coming when we did in the winter means you may not see a turtle on the beach, as only a few come to lay their eggs in the winter. So, there was a risk we would not see anything. This happened in South Africa when we headed to a distant beach on a five-hour tour. We spent an hour driving along the beach without sighting a single turtle.
So, we had our fingers crossed.
We gathered in the lobby of the resort along with a few hundred other guests, most of whom had come from outside. Our group of 25 would be the first to head down to the beach, but we had to wait for confirmation from staff members that there was a turtle on the beach. It was a nervous wait – we could wait for hours or not go at all! Eventually, the call arrived, and we boarded the minibus to take us to the beach. Once there, our guide took us to one side, to tell us the rules for visiting the nesting turtles. We then were taken to where the turtle was nesting. Another staff member was at the nest site, and in groups of five we were invited forward to take a look. It was so exciting when it was finally our turn. The guide used a red light to illuminate the turtle (this is the least disturbing for the turtle) who was in the hole she had dug and was laying eggs.
Sea turtles typically lay 150 to 180 eggs, which takes about two hours in total. As we watched she was popping the eggs out at a fair rate. Once down she will cover the eggs with sand before returning to the sea. It takes about 60 days for the eggs to incubate and the eggs with hatch over several days. Sadly, many nests get raided by foxes, snakes and other creatures. If the eggs survive, after hatching the baby turtles make a mad dash for the sea, but they face more hazards from predators such as seagulls and crabs. Only a small number of turtles that hatch survive into adulthood. Once the females reach sexual maturity, after some 20 years they will return to the same beach as they hatched to lay their eggs every two to four years.
We watched for about 10 minutes before letting another group look, and before leaving we did get another chance to visit the sea turtle.
Seeing this sea turtle nesting made us very happy bunnies and ticked another thing off our bucket list.
As part of our package, we had another chance to visit the beach to see the sea turtles nesting. This tour started at 5 am, before dawn. Once again, we collected in the resort’s lobby, but it was only people who were staying in the resort who got the chance for this tour.
As with the night before, we had to wait for the go-ahead from staff on the beach before loading up on the minibus. This time there was no wait, and we were soon on our way. We ended up on the same section of the beach as we had seen the turtle earlier, but it was a different spot and turtle. This one had finished laying and was finishing up before returning to the sea. Once finished covering the eggs she set off. It was a tremendous effort for her, and she had to stop often for a break. It took her about 20 minutes to reach the waves and moments later she disappeared.
By this time, it was only 30 minutes to sunrise, so we decided to stay and watch. Slowly, it got lighter, and we could make out the features of the rock formations. I walked along the beach and found more evidence of nests, but these ones had been raided – probably by foxes. Moments later we spotted tracks which most likely were from a fox. Sad, but that is nature!
The sunrise itself was beautiful, and we stayed until the sun was fully above the horizon before heading back to the resort for breakfast.
Getting to Ras Al Jinz
To get to Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve in Oman, here’s how you can travel based on your starting location:
🛫 From International Locations:
- Fly to Muscat International Airport (MCT) – This is the nearest major airport.
- From Muscat, you have a few options to reach Ras Al Jinz:
🚗 By Car (from Muscat):
- Distance: Approximately 230 km (about 3.5 – 4 hours).
- Driving Route:
- Take Route 15 from Muscat towards Sur.
- After reaching Sur, take the coastal road toward Ras Al Hadd.
- Continue toward Ras Al Jinz (about 15 km from Ras Al Hadd).
✅ Roads are in good condition and well-marked.
✅ Renting a 4WD is not necessary, as the road is paved.
🚌 By Bus (from Muscat):
- Take a bus from Muscat to Sur (operated by Mwasalat).
- Buses run several times daily (around OMR 3 – 5).
- From Sur, you can take a taxi to Ras Al Jinz (around 30 minutes).
🚖 By Taxi (from Muscat):
- Taxis from Muscat to Sur are available but expensive (around OMR 30 – 50).
- From Sur to Ras Al Jinz, a taxi will cost around OMR 5 – 10.
The best time to visit Ras Al Jinz Sea Turtle Sanctuary
The best time to visit the Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve in Oman is during the peak turtle nesting and hatching season, which runs from May to September. However, here’s a detailed breakdown based on different factors:
🐢 Best Season for Turtle Watching:
- May to September – Peak nesting season, with the highest chance of seeing turtles laying eggs.
- July and August – Best months for witnessing both egg-laying and hatchlings emerging from the sand.
🌅 Best Time of Day:
- Late evening tours (starting around 9:00 PM) – This is the most popular time to see turtles laying eggs.
- Early morning tours (starting around 4:00–5:00 AM) – Better for seeing hatchlings making their way to the ocean.
☀️ Weather Considerations:
- June to September – Hot and humid, but turtles are more active.
- October to April – Cooler and more comfortable for humans, but fewer turtles might be present.
Where to stay
- Ras Al Jinz has a turtle reserve hotel and eco-lodge — you can book directly through their website.
- The turtle tours happen early morning and night — staying overnight is recommended to catch both tours.