Green pools
Among white rocks.
Hans Birger Nilsen — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Hans Birger Nilsen — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Diego Delso — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Christoph Strässler — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Richard Bartz — CC BY-SA 3.0 · "dronepicr" — CC BY 2.0 · Diego Delso — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Christoph Strässler from Oberdorf BL, Schweiz — CC BY-SA 2.0
A wadi in the wilayat that bears its name in North Ash Sharqiyah, about 203 kilometres from Muscat and 120 from Sur, and one of Oman's best-known wadis because water flows here all year. Its highlight is a set of large pools of clear green water among smooth white rocks and palm groves, near the village of Bida'a, where most visitors arrive. From there you can walk up the wadi past smaller pools and narrow rocky passages to Muqal Cave, home to bats. Around the main pools are seating areas and shade, and visitors swim on hot days. The surrounding villages still live from date farming and falaj irrigation. Entry is free. The wadi lies next to a lived-in village, so swim in modest clothing; signs at the pools ask visitors to change only in the tents provided. It gets busy at weekends, so early weekday mornings are best.
Among white rocks.
Up the wadi.
Farming villages.
Wadi Bani Khalid wilayat, about 120 km from Sur
Yes, in the main pools near Bida'a, in modest clothing, changing only in the tents provided.