When is the best time to visit Oman?

Oman has a reliably warm climate and, as long as you avoid the scorching summer months between June and August, can be visited any time. The weather is at its most pleasant from October through to April, when temperatures are warm but cooler than the sweltering summer months and turtles can be seen at Ras al Jinz. Rain is only fleeting and tends only to come in January and February as short, sharp showers. On the south coast, Salalah has a very different climate in that it has a monsoon season, called the khareef. From June to September the khareef's wet winds create a thick and humid fog which coats the mountains in moisture, creating luxuriant green hills. This provides ideal conditions for Salalah's abundance of tropical fruit, which is in season throughout the year.

Month-by-month guide to travelling in Oman

Visiting Oman in January - February

This is an excellent time to visit with some of the coolest temperatures of the year. There can be some rain during January and February, which falls as short, sharp showers, but this is not predictable. The New Year period can be busy and hotels will often charge higher rates.

Visiting Oman in March - April

Temperatures are warmer, perhaps in the 30°Cs, making this an ideal time to visit before the heat and humidity of the summer. March and April are often less busy than the winter months of November to February.

Visiting Oman in May

May is a transitional month between the cooler temperatures of winter and spring and the excessive heat of the summer months. Temperatures are quite high but humidity levels are lower. May is also the start of the summer fruit season, so you can expect a lot of fresh produce.

Visiting Oman in June - August

The summer months are excessively hot and humid in Oman, so this is not a period we would recommend that you visit the country. This is the khareef (monsoon) period in Salalah which makes the south cooler, but even more humid. Salalah and the surrounding coastline also gets very busy with domestic tourists seeking to escape the heat over summer. However, hotels across the country lower their prices during these months so it can be a relatively cheap time to visit.

Visiting Oman in September

September is still very hot, although temperatures are not quite as high as between June and August. Costs remain lower than they are over the winter months. This is still within the peak turtle viewing time at Ras al Jinz, at the end of the breeding season. The landscape around Salalah is host to multiple migratory birds species, particularly over the summer months. The slightly cooler temperatures and lower visitor numbers of September make it a great month to see the birds while they are still in their peak numbers.

Visiting Oman in October - November

Travel in October and November is much more comfortable and enjoyable than over the summer months, with temperatures in the low 30°Cs. November in particular is an ideal month to visit, although the lower temperatures do make the country fairly busy.

Visiting Oman in December

December sees the coolest temperatures of the year: around 20°C. It can get quite cold at night in the mountains and properties do not always have adequate heating facilities, so this is something to be aware of. Christmas and New Year is an extremely popular time in Oman, particularly in Muscat. As such, hotels raise their prices accordingly and often impose a compulsory gala dinner on New Year's Eve. Availability over this time gets tight so it is advisable to book early.