Sunset dhow cruise from Khasab — 3-hour evening trip
A 3-hour evening dhow cruise into Khor Sham. Watch the cliffs turn gold, dolphins in the late-afternoon light, karak chai and dates on board.
What you'll do
The sunset cruise is the trip we recommend for guests who have already done a day cruise, or who have only an evening free in Khasab. We leave at 16:00 (winter) or 17:00 (summer) on the dhow Al-Marwa, cruise into Khor Sham as the afternoon light goes golden, anchor in a quiet cove for a swim, and return to the harbour just after sunset.
The light is the point. The limestone cliffs of Khor Sham change colour four times in the late afternoon — grey to gold to orange to deep red — and you cannot photograph that from a hotel balcony.
Dolphins on the sunset cruise are more playful than in the morning. The pods are feeding actively before sunset and the calves are usually out with the adults. We see dolphins on about 70% of sunset cruises.
We serve karak chai (the cardamom-spiced milk tea that is a UAE / Oman staple), Arabic coffee, dates and a light snack on board. No dinner — the cruise is 3 hours.
The sunset cruise is the right pick for couples on a romantic trip, photographers, and cruise-ship passengers with a late afternoon departure from Khasab.
Tour highlights
Itinerary
Pickup from hotel or port
Pickup from any Khasab hotel, the cruise terminal, or the border pickup point.
Board dhow Al-Marwa
Welcome karak chai. Carpets and cushions on the lower deck. The light is already going soft.
Sail into Khor Sham
The cliffs change colour as the sun drops. Cameras out.
Dolphin zone
Late-afternoon dolphins. The pods are feeding actively.
Swim stop in a quiet cove
30 minutes in the water. The water is calmest and warmest at this hour.
Sunset
Sunset is on the water, in front of the boat. The cliffs go gold, then orange, then red.
Cruise back to Khasab
Slow cruise back. Karak chai refills.
Arrive Khasab Port
Transfer back to your hotel, the port or the border pickup point.
Included
- 3 hours on the dhow
- Karak chai, Arabic coffee, dates, light snack
- One swim stop
- Snorkel gear and life jackets
- Hotel or port pickup and drop-off in Khasab
Not included
- Oman visa or 1-day border permit
- UAE exit fee
- Dinner (not included; this is a 3-hour cruise)
- Alcoholic drinks (not served on board)
Who is this tour for?
Couples on a romantic trip. Photographers. Cruise-ship passengers with a late afternoon port call. Anyone who has already done a morning activity. Not the right pick if you want a long day or a swim-heavy itinerary.
What to bring
- A light jacket for the evening wind
- Camera — the late light is the point
- Swimsuit under your clothes
- Cash in AED for the visa if needed
Local tip from the team
Sit on the right-hand side of the dhow (starboard) on the way in and the left-hand side (port) on the way back. The sun is on the right going in and the left coming back. Captain Hamad will tell you this on the boat.
Frequently asked questions
Will I see dolphins?
We see dolphins on about 70% of sunset cruises. Late-afternoon light means the pods are feeding actively.
Is there food?
Karak chai, Arabic coffee, dates, and a light snack. No dinner.
Can I bring alcohol?
No. We do not allow alcohol on board for any tour.
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 hours (16:00 – 19:00 winter / 17:00 – 20:00 summer)
- Category
- cruise
- From
- 15 OMR
- AED equivalent
- AED 150