Wednesday 30 / July / 2025
Khasab: The Musandam Governor’s Office unveiled details on Wednesday at a press conference in Khasab for the inaugural Musandam International Diving Festival, set to take place during 25-28 August 2025.
The event aims to promote eco-tourism and marine tourism in the governorate through a sustainable gathering that will attract divers, tourists, and investors from various world countries.
The festival will feature a range of activities and competitions across Khasab, with additional events in Kumzar and Dibba. They include: Deep-sea cleanup campaign; Free Diving Champion challenge; underwater photography competition; Kayak race (traditional Omani Qadah-Bassah) and best marine life video contest.
Accompanying events will include: Exhibition of photos and videos from Musandam’s depths; Group diving trips to key sites; Short film screenings on marine life; Maritime souq (market) selling diving gear, local seafood, and handicrafts, as well as diving conference aimed at establishing an Omani Diving Federation.
The festival will also host specialised workshops and seminars, such as coral reef conservation session, “the Future of Diving in the Gulf" symposium, PADI-certified training workshop, introductory sessions on diving tourism investment opportunities and beginner diving lessons.
Sayyid Ibrahim Said Al Busaidi, Governor of Musandam emphasised that the festival—organised in collaboration with Musandam Exploration Diving Centre—will serve as a global platform for professional divers, enthusiasts, adventure seekers, marine sports athletes, media personalities, diving companies, equipment suppliers, eco-tourists, and local visitors.
He noted that the festival aims to position Musandam as a premier diving destination, highlight the governorate’s unique marine biodiversity, support local tourism centers and diving projects, besides generating economic opportunities for communities.
He highlighted that Musandam’s waters—where the Arabian Gulf meets the Indian Ocean—boast a rich marine ecosystem, making it an ideal diving spot for all skill levels.
He added that diving tourism will drive economic growth by attracting high-end tourists seeking unique nature experiences, boost infrastructure development, including dive centres, hotels, restaurants, and transport services, as well as generating jobs in diving instruction, boat operations, hospitality, and marine conservation.
