Traditional dhow building and wildlife conservation
Located on the Sea of Oman, some 100 miles from the capital city of Muscat, Sur combines rare wildlife with fascinating culture. Begin your tailor-made Sur holiday by making the two-hour drive through some of Oman's finest mountain ranges. For centuries this area has been a trading centre, and an important hub for freight-bearing ships establishing commercial ties to East Africa and India.
The city is also well-known for its dhow-building. The tradition continues today and its ship-building yard is still a highlight. Dhows are constructed on the beach and take as long as a year to complete. But the finished vessel might sail the oceans for a hundred years.
During your Sur tour, stop at Ras al Jinz to visit the greenback turtle conservation centre, one of Oman's most important tourist destinations. It’s the first of its kind, with a dedicated research centre. It attracts people from around the world who come to experience the rarely-seen ritual of the mother turtle's birthing process. You might get to see newly hatched baby turtles take their first delicate steps towards the ocean.