2 Best Sights in Oman

Near the town of Hamria, the Al Hoota Cave extends over about 5 km (3 miles) underground. Visitors can explore about a half-mile of the underground ecosystem, following a the footpath, which ends at a 65-foot-deep underground lake. There are several facinating varieties of blind fish living in the lake, including some with no eyes at all that rely on sensitive papillae to sense their surroundings, and small pink fish whose bones are visible through their translucent flesh. Cave tours last just under an hour are are led by guides who are fluent in both Arabic and English. There is a nominal entrance fee, and only a limited number of guests are allowed to enter the cave at one time, so it is best to book ahead.

About 90 minutes south of Muscat and about 45 minutes north of Sur, Wadi Shab offers the opportunity to hike through the shallow water of the underground spring-fed riverbed for a half hour to reach the main pool, where you can swim into partially submerged caves. The waterfalls, palm trees, and striking aquamarine water, set against a backdrop of towering rock cliffs, make this one of the most gorgeous wadis in Oman. It's a must-see for any nature-lover or outdoor enthusiast.