Speedboat tour in Khor Sham — fast, small group, 2.5 hours
A 2.5-hour high-speed tour of Khor Sham on a 6–8 seat speedboat. Dolphins, Telegraph Island, hidden coves. Smaller, faster and more flexible than the dhow.
What you'll do
The speedboat tour is for guests who want to cover more ground in less time, or who simply prefer a small fast boat to a slow traditional dhow. The RIB Sea Hawk 1 (6 guests, 6 m) or Sea Hawk 2 (8 guests, 7.5 m) takes you through the same fjord system as the dhow cruise, but at 25–35 knots, and with a much smaller group.
The speed is the main draw. We cover in 20 minutes what the dhow takes 90 minutes to cover, which means we can fit a snorkel stop, a dolphin encounter, a hidden cove swim and a sunset view into 2.5 hours.
The skipper is Captain Khalid (18 years on Khor Sham) or Captain Hamad (12 years, the sunset specialist). They read the conditions every morning and pick the route based on wind, swell and where the dolphins are feeding.
The 2.5-hour tour is the right pick for cruise-ship passengers with a 3–4 hour Khasab stop, half-day visitors from the UAE, and anyone who wants the experience without the long day on the water.
Tour highlights
Itinerary
Meet at Khasab Port
Safety briefing, life-jacket fitting, sun cream check.
Depart into Khor Sham
Full throttle out of the harbour. The cliffs close in within 10 minutes.
Dolphin zone
Slow down in the dolphin zones. The captain reads the surface for baitfish and birds.
Snorkel stop, Telegraph Island
30 minutes in the water. Same anchorage as the dhow cruise.
Hidden coves
Three small coves the dhow cannot reach. We slow down to 5 knots; great for photos.
Return to Khasab
High-speed run back. Arrive at the harbour by 11:30.
Included
- 2.5 hours on the speedboat
- One swim-and-snorkel stop
- Snorkel gear and life jackets
- Bottled water
- Hotel or port pickup and drop-off in Khasab
Not included
- Oman visa or 1-day border permit
- UAE exit fee
- Lunch (not included; this is a 2.5-hour tour)
- Wetsuit rental (OMR 5 for a shortie in winter)
Who is this tour for?
Cruise-ship passengers with a tight schedule. Half-day visitors from the UAE. Adventure travellers who prefer a small fast boat. Not the right pick if you are pregnant, have a back condition, or are very prone to seasickness.
What to bring
- Swimsuit under your clothes
- Light jacket — the wind chill on a speedboat is real
- Reef-safe sunscreen and a hat with a strap
- Sunglasses with a strap (not a loose pair)
- Motion-sickness pill if you are prone
Local tip from the team
The 16:30 departure is our favourite. The late-afternoon light on the cliffs is the best of the day, the wind has died down, and the dolphin pods are feeding actively before sunset.
Frequently asked questions
I get seasick — is this for me?
Probably not. The speedboat bounces more than a dhow. If you know you get seasick, take the half-day dhow cruise instead — the larger boat is more stable.
Can my 5-year-old come?
Yes, but the speedboat is loud and the wind is strong. For kids 5 and under, we recommend the half-day dhow cruise.
Can I bring a GoPro?
Yes. We have a GoPro mount on the boat; ask the captain.
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
- 2.5 hours (09:00 or 14:00 or 16:30)
- Category
- water
- From
- 20 OMR
- AED equivalent
- AED 200