Sur, Oman Cruise Port

Sur is a port city in Oman with a population of more than 120,000 people. It’s the capital city of the Ash Sharqiyah Region, located in the northern part of the nation, nestled beside the coast of the Gulf of Oman. From its very early days, Sur was established to partake in trade with eastern Africa. It continued to be a major trading port with India and Africa until the Suez Canal opened in the 19^th century, diverting much of its trade with India. It’s now a fisherman’s town that is known for its wooden shipbuilding. They continue to build double-mast dhows, which are a type of ship extremely popular with tourists and merchants. The quiet downtown has an Arabic feel, and the culture is best experienced by visiting one of the town’s forts or the maritime museum. Sur is rumored to have the greatest beaches in Oman with clear, clean water and many great shops along the shores.

• Wadi Shab is a natural underground cave that tourists enjoy hiking up to and enjoying its tantalizing depths by swimming a route upstream.
   
• Ras al Hadd Castle is a gorgeous stone structure that was once a stronghold against invaders. Today, guided tours are available at select times with the exterior always on display.
   
• The Sur Maritime Museum is the place to see generations of dhows on display, where you can get close enough to truly admire the craftsmanship. The shipbuilding process is also discussed in great detail by the curators.
   
• The Sunaysilah Fort is extraordinary and yet very user friendly. The guided tours are brisk and educational, and the scenery is second to none.