scuba diving oman

Why Can I not Fly Directly After a Dive? You plan to book a dive just a few hours before you fly? Well, I’m afraid that’s not going to be possible. Wondering why? Keep on reading to know why flying after diving is very dangerous and how many hours you should wait on ground before boarding. A Higher Risk of Suffering Decompression Sickness Truthfully speaking, ascending to a high altitude immediately after diving increases a person’s risk of suffering from decompression sickness. Flying after diving increases this risk because of the decreasing atmospheric pressure as you ascend. You might only have a few tiny bubbles in your body when you reach the surface after a dive, which should cause no problems at all. However, if you go flying immediately without waiting a sufficient amount of time, these small bubbles could expand (due to the reduction in pressure with altitude) and could cause the onset of DCS symptoms. So, What Are the Basics You Need to Know? A good practice is to have a “down day” prior to flight after any diving. Space any planned flights (even at lower altitudes) with a day between the last dive and the flight departure. Two days might be a better plan, especially if there was deep or repetitive diving. The best course of action for any divers that are going to be flying is to use a dive computer for all of their dives. Modern dive computers will calculate a “time-to-fly” and recommend a wait time for a diver prior to a flight. To be accurate, divers must use the same computer for all their dives, and on every dive. Time-to-fly calculations are cumulative based on diving times, depths, and number of dives. How Much Time Should You Wait before Flying? The Divers Alert Network (DAN) recommends a 12-hour minimum surface interval before flying, and the PADI “Flying After Diving” guidelines say divers should not ascend to a high altitude within 12 hours of completing a single dive or 18 hours after doing multiple dives (whenever possible, wait 24 hours). As MolaMola Diving Center we recommend not to fly for as long as possible after your dives, the longer the better. Here are some basic rules to follow: After single no-decompression dives, a minimum pre-flight surface interval of 12 hoursis suggested. After multiple no-decompression dives per dayor multiple days of diving, a minimum pre-flight surface interval of 18 hours is suggested. Just Explore Beautiful Oman during the “Waiting-Time” To err on the side of safety, many divers plan a 24-hour surface interval and spend their time exploring topside attractions. Here are a few other activities divers should explore at the end of their diving holiday as there is a lot to see in Muscat, Oman: The great Mosque – really worth seeing from the inside as well as from the outside The Opera House – for people interested in culture and architecture Mutrah Souq – let the smells of the market inspire you Note: The above info is for sports diving and should not apply to commercial diving or nitrox diving. Because of the complex nature of decompression sickness (DCS), and because decompression schedules are based on unverifiable assumptions, there can never be fixed flying after diving rules that can guarantee prevention of bends completely. Whether you wait 12 hours or 18 hours (or more), there are no guarantees that you won’t get decompression sickness (DCS) when you fly. Of course, the longer your pre-flight surface interval time, the more nitrogen you expel from your system—which minimizes the risk of decompression sickness. Previous PostNext Post

Daymaniyat – Jewel of the Middle East Welcome to Daymaniyat Island Nature Reserve, our favorite escape and a gem of Oman’s natural beauty. This breathtaking sanctuary is more than just a destination; it’s where you can immerse ourselves in the serene embrace of nature, dive into crystal-clear waters, and experience the vibrant marine life that makes this place truly an extraordinarily protected Nature Reserve. Location & Access Daymaniyat Island is situated about 18 kilometers off the coast of Barka, just north of Muscat. Conveniently, MolaMola Diving Center operates from Al Mouj Marina, allowing us to transport you to this pristine haven much quicker and in season often spot whale sharks on the way to the Island!  What to Expect Daymaniyat Islands is a group of 9 small Islands surrounded by turquoise waters and stunning coral reefs, home to endangered sea turtles, untouched coral reefs, and exotic fish. Daymaniyat Islands offers great dive sites to all level divers, beginners to advanced.  Understandably this is one of Oman’s leading dive spots – with an underwater tapestry of colorful corals, playful fish, and serene sea turtles, here you can find a true paradise for marine life lovers. Among its habitants are Zebra sharks, gant stingrays, Morray eels and 5 of the world’s 7 sea turtles species. And of course, the whale sharks! Onshore, the island’s unspoiled beauty and tranquil environment provide a perfect backdrop.  A Protected Paradise Designated a Nature Reserve by the Omani government in 1996, Daymaniyat Island is a haven for conservation. The reserve is home to and an important nesting site for many sea turtle species. From May through October, Daymaniyat Island is closed to visitors to safeguard the nesting turtles and migratory birds that use the island as a crucial stopover. This period of protection ensures that these incredible creatures can thrive without disturbance, contributing to the island’s rich biodiversity. Check out our daily snorkeling and scuba-diving tours and come explore Daymaniyat Islands with us! Previous PostNext Post

The Turtles of Oman Are you into Turtles? If yes, Oman is your place to be. There are seven different types of sea turles around the world – and Omani waters are home to five of them. Keep on reading to get to know the different kind of turtles to see around Muscat while Scuba Diving in Oman. Many, Many Green Turtles The following sea turtles are the ones you find in our waters: The Leatherback Sea Turtles: She is not only the largest of all sea turtles with a size ranging from 1.2 up to 2.4 meters but also the oldest of all of them. They survived the extinction of the dinosaurs! But the Leatherback Turtle doesn’t come ashore in Oman – so they can only be seen during Snorkeling or Scuba Diving in Oman. Green Turtle: This turtle gets its name from the green fat found underneath its carapace. She is the one Sea Turtle we see most on our dives or while Snorkeling. Olive Ridley Turtle: This turtle is the second smallest in the world but the most abundant of all sea turtles. These turtles are known for their mass nesting and breeding. Thousands of females travel together and lay their eggs on the same beach. Hawksbill Turtle: The hawksbill sea turtle is unfortunately, a critically endangered species. Their appearance can be easily recognized by their sharp, curving beak and their saw-like shell margins. Loggerhead Turtle: The loggerhead sea turtle comes ashore to lay eggs less frequently than other types of turtle spotting. One is a real treat. The females nest every 2 to 4 years. Where to See Sea Turtles To see turtles – especially the Green Turtle – on shore, its totally worth a trip to the beautiful beaches in Ras al Hadd or Ras Al Jinz. But to see them while Scuba Diving in Oman, we can totally recommend the Daymaniyat Island for you. The tiny archipelago of rocky islands and the first marine reserve created in Oman is located north of Muscat within a 40-minute boat ride from Al Mouj Marina where MolaMola Diving Center is located The coral reefs surrounding the island are an important area for nesting sea turtles – and that is especially why the beaches at Daymaniyat Island are closed to enter during the months from May to October. Every year, an abundance of turtles migrate to the beaches and shorelines of the Arab Peninsula to dig a hole and lay their eggs. In Oman, which is one of the hot spots for turtle-hatching, the best time to see them is between May and August every year. During these months, around 20,000 turtles come to Oman’s beaches, especially on the Eastern side. These turtles lay 50,000 to 60,000 eggs during this period and are buried under the sand, just to protect them. After the eggs are laid, around 55 days later the eggs hatch and the babies begin their lives. The good news? Snorkeling or Scuba Diving with Turtles in Oman is possible year-round. Scuba Diving and Snorkeling with Turtles We think what most people love most while snorkeling or Scuba Diving, is to see a turtle underwater. They are so graceful as if flying underwater and very peaceful as well. On our dives either at Daymaniyat Island or Fahal Island, we spot a turtle almost every time. So what are you waiting for? Book the best Scuba Diving in Oman with MolaMola Diving Center right now. Previous PostNext Post

Diving the Daymaniyat Island, Oman Are you looking for the best place to dive in Oman? Good news: You found it! Daymaniyat Island is also called the Maledives of Oman because of its turquoise water and stunning coral reefs. There are many places to dive – but nothing is like Daymaniyat Island During your time in Oman you may find some other places to dive like Bander Khayran or Fahal Island. But to be honest with you: The dive sites there are nothing compared to the ones in Daymaniyat Island. The Daymaniyat islands is a Nature Reserve protected by the Omani government and home to endangered sea turtles, untouched coral reefs, and exotic fish. Therefore, the islands are one of Oman’s leading dive spots! During the months of May to end of October, no one is allowed to enter the island – as they are an important nesting site for turtles as well as a wide range of migratory birds. The care from the Omani government about the Daymaniyat Island can be seen underwater as well. Despite from old fishing nets, there is almost no trash to be found. The corals are healthy and the marine life is blooming. Great visibility up to 30 meters The Daymaniyat Island offer warm water with crystal clear visibility most of the times – especially during winter months when the water is a bit colder and contains less plankton. Anytime from October up to May can promise you visibility up to 30 meters – always depending on the sea condition of course. Water temperature ranges between 23 degrees Celsius in winter and up to 32 degrees in summer.  And yes, you may have figured it out already: Diving in the Daymaniyat Island can be done year-around. Scuba Diving here in Oman is possible every month of the car with April to May and September to October being the best combination of surface and sea temperatures. Summer time is Whale Shark time During the summer months – from June till the end of August – the temperature in Oman is very hot. But what is better than going to the ocean when its too hot to stay on land? Correct – nothing. But you know what? We can even top that. From July to late September is the annual whale shark season in Oman! During summer we spot the Whale Shakrs regularly in big groups. We usually stop our boat as soon as we see the whale sharks so you can enter the water and snorkel with them. But sometimes, if you are very lucky, you can even see them during your dive. But you are still wondering what’s more to see when diving the Daymaniyat Island? Don’t worry – you won’t be disappointed. We have many colorful, tropical fish and hard and soft corals to gaze at. There are many nudibranchs and reef fish in our area – and if you are into bigger fish, we got you covered with different types of turtles, rays such as Stingrays or Cowtail ray and Zebra and Black Reef Shark.  So what are you waiting for? Book your Scuba Diving trip to Daymaniyat Island with us today.   Previous PostNext Post

Snorkeling and Diving in Muscat: Fahal Island On the southern side of Al Mouj Marina the limestone wedge of Fahal Island offers divers healthy soft and hard coral gardens, a cave swim-through, and opportunities to see various species of shark resting on the seafloor. Maybe this is the reason why Fahal Island also owns the nickname “Sharks Island”. Located 4km from the mainland Al Fahal Island is situated around 4km from the mainland and has an area of just 2.24 km2. It is composed mostly of around 55 to 35 million year old Eocene limestone and marl. This limestone was originally part of the sea floor. It is made up from the shells of marine organisms such as bivalve shellfish, coral and algae, deposited in a shallow marine environment. The island outcrop is now exposed on the surface due to uplift and change in sea levels. Even tho the Island is very close to shore, it takes us around 20 to 25 minutes to reach Fahal by boat as our boat is located a bit north from Fahal Island at Al Mouj Marina. But you will enjoy the boat ride a lot, it’s a great chance to have a look at Muscats coastline. Excellent Diving with healthy corals This small island offers excellent diving with reefs found down at 40 meters and the calm waters around Fahal Island are suitable for divers of all levels. The sea life around Fahal is varied and interesting. Schools of fish are often seen swimming in and around the corals and reefs, they are of different species, shapes and colours and are fascinating to watch. One can see schools of barracuda swimming by. Giant eagle rays will be gliding past in a distance and sharks are often lazing on the shallower sandbanks. A very lucky few have even seen whale sharks swimming by. The Muscat sea area is rich in corals and at the centre of this diversity are the Fahal Islands, next to Daymaniyat Island ( https://molamoladivingcenter.com/daymaniyat-island-more-than-just-an-island/ ). We wrote a previous Blog post about our favorite dive sites at both, Daymaniyat and Fahal island. Check it out here: https://molamoladivingcenter.com/ultimate-list-of-best-dive-sites-in-oman/ Are you ready to dive at Fahal Island soon? Book our dive with us today. Previous PostNext Post

What’s the Best Time for Diving in Oman? Are you curious when you should visit us to enjoy Oman’s Best Diving Experience? Honestly, we are accessible year-around!  However, check out below to see what Oman has to offer and which month is best for Whale Sharks and when the best visibility at Daymaniyat Islands is too! Diving in Oman Oman and the diving around Muscat is the perfect place for beginners. The diving is simple and calm, the water is warm and the marine life is full of life and colors. We have many colorful tropical fish and hard and soft corals to gaze at. If you are into Makro, there are many nudibranchs and reef fish in our area – but if you are into bigger fish, don’t worry, we got you covered with many turtles, Zebra and Black Reef Shark and during the right season even Whale Sharks. The water temperature ranges from 19 degrees Celcisus in winter up to 28 degrees in summer. Visibility is best when the water is a bit colder and can range between 15 to 30 meters. Our depths range from 5 down to 28 meters. There are deeper dive sites of course but the best views are usually between 10 to 20 meters. Whale Shark Season Are you ready to snorkel with up to 20 Whale Sharks at the same time? The Whale Shark is the largest known fish species alive today. They are very graceful, slowly-moving and stunning to observe. We see them on our way to Daymaniyat island usually during summer, with July to September being the best time to encounter them. We stop the boat so you can jump in the water and snorkel with them. If you are lucky enough, you can even see one or two on a dive. Trust us, this will be an experience you treasure forever.. Visibility at Its Best As we said before, visibility is at its best during the winter months. Anytime from October up to May we can promise you visibility up to 30 meters. Just wear a 5mm wetsuit during the winter months (November to January) as the water is a bit colder and the air as well. Come Join Us! Are you ready for the best diving in Oman? With MolaMola Diving Center, a PADI Dive Center, we take you diving year-round with April to May and September to October to be the best combination of surface and sea temperatures and with July to September the best months for Whale Shark encounters. Next Post

Diving in Oman: Ultimate List of the best Diving Sites You are travelling to Oman and you’re keen to go diving? Go for it! Oman is still relatively undiscovered for diving – but offers healthy marine life, warm waters and amazing dive sites. Keep on reading to discover the best places to dive and the best dive sites! Go for Daymaniyat Island There is no better place to dive around Muscat than Daymaniyat Island. The nature Reserve protected by the Omani government offers everything you are looking for: Whalesharks during the summer months, lots of turtles, rays and Zebra sharks all year around. Colorful hard and soft corals, lots of Lion- and pufferfishes and huge moray eels. The islands are about 40 to 50 minutes away by boat from Al Mouj Marina, where MolaMola Diving Center is located and the ride to the island is a joy for itself. Surrounded by the blue ocean, getting a little ocean breeze before arriving at the place who is also called “the Maledives of the Middle east”. We have more than 20 dives sites at Daymaniyat island, but here are some of our favorite ones: Aquarium: One of our favorite dive sites is located 15 minutes before Daymaniyat Islands. This is an underwater rock and you start your dive at about 7m down and then either swim south or north along the wall, depending on the current. To the north your dive brings you over a sand chute and then along the wall to a small plateau down about 22-24 meters. Turning south you swim along a wall and then over an area of sand and coral blocks. All the walls as well as the whole plateau is loosely covered with blue coral bushes, some soft corals and small sponges. Look down to the sand, sometimes there are leopard sharks, lemon sharks or rays. Blacktip reef: This dive site impresses with the huge coral blocks at the very beginning. You continue the dive to a wall with a large plateau on about 18 meters covered with coral bushes at the end. Keep an eye out as you might always see Rays, Black Tip Sharks and also Moray Eels hidden in the caves below the rocks. Three sisters: This dive site lies on the eastern side of the bay. You dive along a wall with lots of large rocks nicely covered with hard and soft corals. On the flatter parts you will find coral gardens with table corals and lots of small reef fish. Don’t miss the large cave which reveals itself about 10m down with lots of Sweepers in it. Fahal Island is good for diving as well Next to Daymaniyat Island we do visit Fahal Island as well from time to time. We do prefer to dive at Daymaniyat Islands – but Fahal offers healthy corals and lots of huge Honeycomb moray eels that are worth a visit. We did spot a Zebra shark at Fahal as well, and lots of big Cowtail stingrays. Next to Fahal you can also dive in Bander Khairan – but to be honest with you: if you have the choice between Bander Khairan, Fahal or Daymaniyat Islands: go for Daymaniyat. You won’t regret it. Previous PostNext Post