Wednesday 22 / July / 2026
MUSCAT: Dhofar Governorate is set to unveil a major new tourism landmark, with the Salalah Eye observation wheel scheduled to officially open on August 15, 2026, at Al Haffa Beach during the peak Khareef season.
Standing 55 metres above the Arabian Sea, the attraction will become Oman’s tallest observation wheel. It features 30 fully enclosed, air-conditioned cabins, each accommodating up to six passengers and offering 360-degree panoramic views of the coastline, mountains and the lush landscapes that define Dhofar’s Khareef season.
A complete ride is expected to last between eight and 12 minutes.
The project is being positioned as a signature attraction for Salalah, complementing the city’s expanding tourism offerings and supporting efforts to establish Dhofar as a year-round destination.
Located near the New Haffa Souq, the observation wheel is being developed in cooperation with the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism and Dhofar Municipality.
“The Arabian Khareef — a monsoon season found nowhere else on earth — transforms Salalah’s mountains from desert to green in days. Mist rolls in from the sea. The air turns cool. And above it all, Salalah Eye turns,” an official said.
Ticket prices have been set at OMR7 for a standard ride, while a private family cabin accommodating up to six people will cost OMR 28. An early booking option will also be available for OMR 5.
The attraction will operate daily from 10am to 11pm throughout the Khareef season.
The opening comes as Dhofar gears up for another busy tourism season, supported by increased domestic and international flights and a packed calendar of Khareef events aimed at attracting visitors from across Oman and the GCC.
The governorate welcomed more than one million visitors during last year’s Khareef season. According to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), 1,070,738 visitors travelled to Dhofar in 2025, up from 1,047,751 in 2024 and 962,196 in 2023.
Visitor spending has also continued to rise, reaching OMR125 million in 2025, compared with OMR121 million in 2024 and OMR 103 million in 2023, highlighting the growing economic contribution of the Khareef season to the hospitality, transport, retail, entertainment and small business sectors across the governorate.
