When we think back to Oman, we picture the kids playing in the dunes, nights in the rooftop tent and turtles around the Dimaniyat Islands. We also remember shivering in the mountains and a few places that didn't quite live up to our expectations. It was a trip with a bit of everything.
We travelled in January 2026 with our children, aged three and six. We spent 16 days in Oman, including ten in a Mitsubishi Pajero with a rooftop tent for all four of us. That was how we explored the coast, the wadis, the desert and the interior.
If you're thinking about taking your kids to Oman, here's what we loved about the experience—and what we'd think through before planning a similar trip.
Making time to play between the sights
We loved how the scenery changed along the way: the sea one day, dunes the next. But we also wanted room for afternoons on the beach, games and a bit of downtime.
We'd keep that balance. It's easy to fill an itinerary with places you're excited to see, but giving ourselves time to enjoy being there mattered just as much. Playing in the dunes was as much a part of the trip as visiting the sights.
The 4×4 was our home
We slept in the rooftop tent and used the vehicle's camping equipment to prepare some of our meals. It was a lovely way to travel through such different landscapes, although it also meant setting up every evening and sharing a fairly small space.
Temperatures on the coast were pleasant. Up in the mountains, though, it was bitterly cold and windy. Oman can bring to mind nothing but desert and heat, so it's worth saying: our warm layers definitely earned their place in the bags.
Where the dunes meet the sea
Walking through the white sands of Sugar Dunes, with the sea so close by, is one of our favourite memories. We loved lingering there and watching the light change.
For the kids, there was sand and plenty of time to play. For us, it was a reminder that we didn't need another stop to make the afternoon worthwhile.
These are places where access rules, local conditions and signs matter. By the sea, tides and close supervision are important too. A beautiful photo doesn't tell you everything you need to consider before stopping somewhere.
Wadi Shab wasn't quite what we'd hoped
It was incredibly busy, and we struggled to enjoy it as much as we'd imagined. We swam through to the cave at the end, but with so many people in the water, it felt more tiring than fun.
If we went back, we'd let go of the idea that we had to reach the very end. Exploring part of the wadi can still make for a good visit. We'd rather decide how far to go based on how everyone feels that day, with enough energy left for the return.
Getting to the cave involves swimming and passing through a narrow opening. The fact that we did it doesn't make it suitable for every family. Consider the water conditions, any warnings and everyone's abilities; don't carry on just because other people are doing so.
Swimming with turtles at the Dimaniyat Islands
The Dimaniyat Islands, on the other hand, were a highlight. We saw dolphins on the way out and swam with turtles passing close by. It was one of the kids' favourite moments of the whole trip.
These are wild animals, so another trip could be very different. What we can control is how we behave: keeping our distance and watching without chasing or touching them.
Shorter walks and places we saved for another time
Inland, we kept our walks at the kids' pace. At Jebel Shams, we left the exposed trail for another visit. Bimmah, which we'd seen in so many photos, made less of an impression on us than other places and felt very touristy.
Those were choices that suited our family. Another family might love the very stops we weren't so keen on, or enjoy them in a different way. That's why we want to share the parts that didn't turn out as we'd expected, too.
The cold you don't see in the photos
Our warm clothes came along for a reason. The coast was comfortable, but nights in the mountains reminded us that Oman wasn't all beaches and sunshine. It's one of the things we mention now when someone asks about the trip.
Would we take the kids to Oman again?
Yes. We'd go back for the changing landscapes, nights in the tent, turtles and kids playing in the dunes. We'd keep that mix of exploring and simply spending time together, with room to change our plans.
Our Oman travel guide brings together the route and the practical side of the trip. For a first taste of our experience, you can also download the free guide.