Monday 25 / August / 2025
Muscat: The Musandam International Diving Festival began today in the Wilayat of Khasab under the patronage of His Highness Sayyid Fahr bin Fatik Al Said, with the attendance of a select group of diving professionals, amateurs, and those interested in the depths of the sea.
Mubarak bin Ali Al Rahbi, Head of the Musandam Governor's Office, said: "The festival represents more than just a tourism event; it is a window through which the Sultanate of Oman showcases the beauty and natural uniqueness of Musandam to the world."
Al Rahbi noted that the event embodies the Sultanate of Oman's commitment to developing sustainable tourism and enhancing Musandam's position as a global marine destination.
He added: "We wanted this festival to be a message that embodies our passion for the marine world, calling for the protection of our marine treasures, strengthening the partnership between the local community and the tourism sector, and opening up broader horizons for investment in this promising sector, which combines the beauty of nature with the spirit of adventure."
Badr bin Mohammed Al Shehhi, owner of the Musandam Diving Exploration Center, said: "The festival aims to highlight existing diving sites and explore new ones, while supporting local tourism projects and diving centers and creating new job opportunities for job seekers."
Al Shehhi emphasized that the festival will be held annually to highlight marine tourism in Musandam Governorate and strive to position it among the leading diving countries.
He added that what distinguishes this event is its diversity, as it is not limited to diving alone, but also includes multiple marine sports such as rowing, fishing, and swimming, making it a comprehensive festival that reflects the rich marine environment in Musandam.
Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Shehhi, a member of the organizing team, explained that the festival extends over four days filled with unique experiences. It is jointly organised by the Musandam Governor's Office and the Musandam Diving Exploration Center, with broad participation from government and private institutions, as well as professional divers from within and outside the Sultanate of Oman, in addition to the participation of the international PADI organization.
He pointed out that the main events include various competitions, such as the Underwater Photography Competition, where lenses compete to capture the most beautiful scenes of the deep sea, including its diverse biological diversity. The competition also includes a kayak race, challenging speed and skill amidst the calm waters of the picturesque Khor Qadi.
The competition also includes a strong competition in the deep-sea freediving competition. These events also include daily dialogue sessions with a group of international divers who have achieved world records and won awards in the world of diving and photography. Specialized workshops on the depths of the sea are also held.
The festival will also feature distinctive accompanying events, most notably diving to the deepest point in the Musandam Sea, where we will strive to break the record for the deepest dive in the Arabian Gulf, at 114 meters. The festival will also feature a coral reef planting campaign, exploratory diving adventures, fishing and urn-hunting competitions, and the largest coral reef cleanup campaign of its kind in the Middle East, reflecting our commitment to environmental sustainability and preservation.
The festival includes various corners with wide participation from various governmental and private institutions, including the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Sharjah International Marine Sports Club, the Oman Sea Diving Team, the Musandam Exploration Diving Team, Oman Sail, Global Scope Oman Center, in addition to the health services in Musandam Governorate, Al Awael Diving Equipment Shop, the Environment Authority, Khasab Travel and Tourism, Khasab Dolphin, the Jerez Industry (Saeed Al Dhahouri), the Bateel Corner and Artisanal Fishing, the Little Explorer Corner, the Oman Adventures Center, Resin Works, and Musandam Sea Adventures.
