Sea turtles
Sea turtles
Sea turtles and the coastal landscape of Oman have formed a symbiosis for thousands of years. These prehistoric reptiles are, however, threatened with extinction and are protected worldwide. For this reason, the government of Oman has established several nature reserves along the coast. The approximately 2000 km long coastline of the country serves as an important site for egg-laying and thus reproduction for sea turtles. It is the most important breeding ground for sea turtles in the Indian Ocean. Of the seven species of sea turtles that live worldwide, five nest on the beaches of Oman. This is a world record.
Turtles live almost exclusively in water; only the female individuals come ashore to lay their eggs. On average, sea turtles live to be 100 years old and only become sexually mature at around 40 years of age. They feed on jellyfish, shellfish, seagrass, or algae.
The so-called Lepidochelys olivacea (Olive Ridley turtle) has its breeding site on the coast of Oman. Unfortunately, scientists predict a poor future for them. It seems certain that this species will be extinct in a few years. The situation is different for the Chelonia mydas (Green sea turtle). Its preferred nesting area is along the coastline between Ras al-Hadd and Ra’s ar Ru’ays. Further south, in the region around Masirah Island, is the largest population of Caretta (Loggerhead turtle). The Daymaniyat Islands are home to a reserve for the Eretmochelys imbricata (Hawksbill turtle). The fifth species of sea turtle, Dermochelys coriacea (Leatherback turtle), also inhabits the waters of Oman but does not breed here. The uniqueness lies in the size of this animal. It measures over 2 meters and weighs between 500 and 900 kg.
Discover Oman with experts who have called it their home
Your dream holiday, tailor-made by experts.
We don't just know Oman from books, we visit the country several times a year to experience the culture, landscape and people first-hand.
From your first enquiry to your return home, we are there for you personally - by phone, email or WhatsApp, whenever you need us. Our trips are as unique as you are: individually planned and provided with exclusive privileges and high-quality arrangements that will make your trip unforgettable.
Experts for your Oman trip
You might also like this
Whales and Dolphins
In the underwater world along the Omani coasts of the Indian Ocean, you can find whales and dolphins from the northern region Musandam to the southern region of Dhofar. These mammals evolved about 50 million years ago in our world's oceans. The biggest challenge for these animals was to adapt breathing to life in water. Nature solved this problem by developing nostrils into what are called blowholes on the top of the head. Movement was optimized by their streamlined bodies. The tail fin and dorsal fin developed for navigation. The fur needed on land was no longer necessary and was replaced by ...
Khasab
In the port city of Khasab, the largest town in the small Omani enclave,Mussandam, more than half of the people who call this region home live. The official numbers fluctuate between 17'500 and 23'000 inhabitants. In any case, Khasab is a small and manageable town that has quite a lot to offer. Those who want to see all the sights and soak up the charm of the city will need two to three days. Khasab – the remote producer “The remote producer” is the approximate translation of the name Khasab into English. The name makes sense, as a significant portion of Oman’s date harvest is gathered in Kh...
Climate
The climate in the Sultanate of Oman varies from region to region. In the coastal areas of the north and east of the country, it is hot and humid (subtropical climate). The humidity is - 80%. In the desert regions of the interior, which are separated from the north of the country by the Hadjar Mountains it is dry and hot. The south differs significantly from the rest of the country, as the monsoon winds blow here. In Oman, the year can roughly be divided into summer and winter. Summer lasts from May to September. Winter sets in around mid/end of October and lasts until the end of March. The a...