Half-day dhow cruise from Khasab — Telegraph Island, dolphins, 3.5 hours
A 3.5-hour morning or afternoon dhow cruise into Khor Sham with one snorkel stop at Telegraph Island. Best for cruise-ship passengers and short-stay visitors.
What you'll do
Our half-day cruise is the trip we recommend when you have less than 4 hours in Khasab — which is most cruise-ship passengers, most people driving in from the UAE for the day, and most visitors with a morning flight or an evening border crossing.
We run two departures a day. The morning cruise leaves at 09:30 and is back at the port by 13:00. The afternoon cruise leaves at 13:30 and is back by 17:00. Both are on the smaller dhow Al-Marwa (18 guests), with the same crew, same life-jacket standard, same snorkel gear as the full-day cruise.
You get one snorkel stop at Telegraph Island, the same anchorage the full-day trip uses. Dolphins on half-day cruises are slightly less reliable than full-day, but we still see them on about 75% of trips — mostly on the way out, before the wind picks up in the afternoon.
Lunch is not included on the half-day cruise, but we serve Arabic coffee, dates, fresh fruit and soft drinks throughout. If you want lunch, ask us about adding an on-board meal for OMR 5 per person, or eating at the harbour restaurant before you board.
Tour highlights
Itinerary
Pickup from hotel, port or harbour
Pickup from any Khasab hotel, the cruise-ship terminal, or the border pickup point.
Board dhow Al-Marwa
Welcome Arabic coffee, safety briefing, life-jacket check.
Sail into Khor Sham
Look for dolphins on the way in. Captain Khalid or Captain Hamad picks the route by where the pods are.
Snorkel stop, Telegraph Island
45 minutes in the water. Reef drops to 14 m. Life jackets free for non-swimmers.
Cruise back through Khor Sham
Slow cruise back to the port. Cameras out for the afternoon light.
Arrive Khasab Port
Transfer back to your hotel, the border or the cruise terminal.
Included
- 3.5 hours on the dhow
- One snorkel stop at Telegraph Island
- Snorkel gear and life jackets
- Arabic coffee, dates, fresh fruit, soft drinks
- Hotel or port pickup and drop-off in Khasab
Not included
- Lunch (can be added for OMR 5 per person, served on board)
- Oman visa or 1-day border permit (50 AED, paid at the border)
- UAE exit fee (35 AED per person, at the border)
- Gratuity for the crew
Who is this tour for?
Cruise-ship passengers with a 5–7 hour Khasab stop, day-trippers driving in from the UAE, anyone on a tight schedule. Not the right pick if you want lunch included or a second snorkel stop.
What to bring
- Swimwear under your clothes
- Reef-safe sunscreen and a hat
- Phone in a waterproof pouch
- A small dry bag for car keys and wallet
Local tip from the team
The morning cruise is better for dolphins. The afternoon cruise has softer light for photos. If you can pick, morning is the safer bet — we are not just saying that to fill the boat.
Frequently asked questions
Is lunch included on the half-day cruise?
No. We serve Arabic coffee, dates, fruit and soft drinks. You can add an on-board meal for OMR 5 per person, or eat at the harbour restaurant before boarding.
Can I see dolphins on the half-day cruise?
Yes — we see dolphins on roughly 75% of half-day cruises. Morning is more reliable than afternoon.
I am on a cruise ship with 6 hours in port — will I make it back on time?
Yes. The morning cruise returns at 13:00. The afternoon cruise returns at 17:00. We track the ship’s departure time and will not let you miss it.
Border crossing information
**Crossing from the UAE to Musandam in 2026 — what to bring** You will need every one of these, in original form, not photocopies. Border officers at Al Dara do not accept digital copies on phones. • Passport valid for 6+ months from your date of entry • UAE residence visa (residents) or UAE tourist entry stamp • If driving: original Mulkiya (vehicle registration); rental car requires the rental company's NOC • 50 AED in cash per person for the Oman entry visa (or 1-day border permit, also 50 AED) • 35 AED in cash per person for the UAE exit fee • If your car is not insured for Oman: ~100 AED for a 1-day policy, ~175 AED for up to 7 days (buy at the counter on the RAK side) What we do for our guests: send a one-page PDF with the exact list above, the exact cash amounts, the exact border opening hours, and a WhatsApp number to call if you are stuck at the counter. Ask for it on WhatsApp before you leave.
Tour details
- Duration
- 3.5 hours (09:30–13:00 or 13:30–17:00)
- Category
- cruise
- From
- 12 OMR
- AED equivalent
- AED 150