Making the most of Sur
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
The port is located in Sur harbor on the outskirts of the town.
Cruise schedule for Sur.
Sur is a fishermen's town on the east coast of Oman. In the past it has been well known for its Dhow building and was Oman's main center of trade with East-Africa. Dhows are still being built in Sur today but there is no trade with East-Africa any longer.
Nowadays Sur is a quiet town. You can wander in its authentic souk with Middle-Eastern ware; it has that genuine Arabic feel with locals wearing dish-dash or abaya. You can even treat yourself to a bit of culture by visiting one of the forts in Sur, the marine museum and dhows, or go for a stroll along the quay.
Sur has an ideal location; it is a great starting point for exploring Oman. It has great beaches and several interesting things to see and do nearby. For example turtle watching at Ras Al Hadd is only 45 km along the coast or The Wahiba Sands (Oman's beautiful desert) is reached within a one hour drive.
Oman, with its quickly developing tourism, is a beautiful and friendly country and very suitable for people who like camping, boating, wadi trips, the beach, culture etc.
Getting around
Going from one place to another is difficult here as there is no regular bus service. You have to depend upon taxis or share-taxis. Taxi drivers are very nice in Oman. All of them are Omanis as this profession is reserved for nationals. These are very reasonably priced. You may ask for ENGAGED, just say 'engaged taxi' to the driver, and you will pay for all the seats(4) and now have the taxi to yourself.
Nearby places
Turtle watching at Ras Al Hadd is only 45 km along the coast or The Wahiba Sands (Oman's beautiful desert) is reached within a one hour drive.
Money
The currency in Muscat is the Omani rial (OMR). One rial is made of one thousand Baisa. Since 1986, the rial is officially tied to the US dollar at 1 rial = 2.6008 dollars; exchange rates on the streets are a percent or two lower.
Staying connected
Arabic is the national language, however most Omanis will speak good to excellent English, particularly in major tourist areas and cities.
Opening Hours and
Shopping hours: Shopping establishments are open from 9am to 1 pm and 4pm to 9 pm. Department stores, supermarkets and shopping complexes are open throughout the day during Ramadân from 9am to 10 pm, with a short lunch break all through the week, except Fridays. These timings could vary with different shops.