Masirah is one of the governorates in the Ash Sharqiyah Region, specifically in the southern Eastern area, and it is the largest Omani island. It serves as a prominent landmark in the middle of the sea. Masirah is home to approximately 14 main villages and 28 small villages, including the following: Divat, Duwa, Aijait, Sur, Masirah, Amq, Al-Ayja, Al-Samar, Shaghaf, Marsis, Rasiyah, Shatari, Maghla, Wadi Al-Maghr, and Haql. Working in the textile profession is one of the most important traditional crafts in the governorate. Historically, it was known for shipbuilding, which has nearly disappeared today. However, it still maintains its reputation for producing fishing nets that residents use to earn their livelihoods from the sea. Some residents also engage in agriculture in certain areas, with important agricultural products including dates, mangoes, and pomegranates.
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Key Highlights
- The stunning natural beauty represented by diverse environments, including marine, agricultural plains, and mountainous regions.
- Mild weather and climate most days of the year, making it suitable for tourism year-round.
- A variety of expansive beaches, in addition to opportunities for many water and beach sports such as surfing.
- The presence of several rare marine animals, such as sea turtles that come to the island to lay eggs.
Location of Masirah Region
Masirah Island is located in the southeastern part of the Sultanate of Oman, approximately 18 km from the mainland. It is 600 km from the capital, Muscat, with an area of about 640 km². According to the 2010 census, its population was approximately 8,726.
Access to the island can be made from Muscat city through the Wilayat of Al-Mudhaibi, heading towards the route leading to Al-Duqm, then turning left at the roundabout towards the town center of Haj, which is part of the Wilayat of Mahout, and then heading to Shina Port. It can also be reached from the Wilayat of Sur in the southAsh Sharqiyah Region via Al-Ashkharah and then to the village of Al-Najda, which belongs to the Wilayat of Mahout, and from there to Shina Port. Additionally, it can be accessed from Um Al-Zama’im located on the Muscat-Salalah road, a distance of 100 km to the Al-Jubba roundabout leading to the town of Haj in the Wilayat of Mahout and then to Shina Port.
Masirah’s Location on The Map
Surrounding Areas of Masirah Region
In the vicinity of the island, there are other small islands, such as Bay Joisem Island to the northwest, Marsis Island to the west, and Kalban Island to the southwest.
Notable Landmarks Near Masirah Region
The island has several famous tourist attractions, the most important being the ancient Marsis Fort, which is a testament to the rich history of the governorate. It is considered one of the most important historical forts on the island, located in the village of Marsis. There is also a mosque named after Sheikh Mansour bin Nasser Al-Maajili, and significant archaeological sites, including an Islamic cemetery in the village of Safayij, discovered by a German mission that visited the area, and other archaeological landmarks dating back over 3,000 years. The island also features the Divat Fort.
Transportation in Masirah Region
The island lacks public transportation options like buses or trains, and locals rely on private vehicles for transportation or use animals and traditional carts. Access to the island from the mainland is via large ferries locally known as “Al-Yasurah,” which are large maritime carriers that transport vehicles, goods, and people to and from the island. They play a significant role in facilitating travel to and from the island and supporting tourism and trade by transporting passengers and various goods. Since August 2014, two modern ferries have been introduced, each capable of carrying about 154 passengers in addition to vehicle transport, accommodating around 38 vehicles.
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About Masirah Region
History of Masirah Region
Masirah Island was historically a stopover for ships resting on its shores to refill with fresh water. It has been mentioned in historical texts, where Yaqut al-Hamawi described it in his book “Mu’jam al-Buldan” as: “A large island in the Sea of Oman with several villages.”
Masirah Island has been known by many other names, including Siranyun, Damouj, Makajra, Mashiz, Damasirah, Marsaria, Masarir, Sira, and Organnon. The reason for its name “Masirah” has various interpretations; some suggest that the word is derived from “Sirah,” meaning elevated place in the sea, which aligns with the island’s position in the middle of the sea resembling an elevated area. Notably, Alexander the Great visited this island and used it as a base to launch his campaigns toward Persia, naming it “Sirays.”
Residential Features in Masirah Region
One of the most important features of living on the island is its natural environment, which attracts tourists from all over the world. It is home to beautiful beaches with stunning views that allow visitors to engage in various sports activities such as diving to enjoy coral reef sights, sailing, and fishing. Visitors can also see turtles in their natural habitat, along with herons and other species, as the island hosts about 130 other species of birds.
One of the notable natural landmarks there is Mount Al-Hilm, along with a prominent mountain range in the middle of the island, in addition to several natural springs known for their healing properties, such as the Qatara spring and Wadi Balad spring.
Basic and Recreational Facilities in Masirah Region
Restaurants and Cafes
- Restaurants:
- Hamour Island Restaurant
- Turkish Restaurant
- White Restaurant
- Coral Restaurant
- Cheezy Bites Restaurant
- Al-Raef Restaurant for Pakistani Shabati
- Island Pioneers Restaurant
- Rasiyah Sands Restaurant
- Bahr Sahana Commercial Restaurant
- Popular Yemeni Restaurant in Masirah
- Cafes:
- Event Café
- Ahmad Al-Farsi Coffee Shop
- Shisha Café
- Basma Al-Jazirah Café
- Sailing Boat Café
- Pie Café
Malls and Markets
- Al-Bayadh Coast for selling food, vegetables, and fruits
- Jood Shopping Center
- Abu Shabib Supermarket
- Sada Al-Jabal Shopping Center
- Dana Al-Masiyah Shopping Center
Parks and Recreational Areas
- Oman Park
Hospitals and Clinics
- Masirah Hospital
- Al-Rida Clinic
- Awtar Al-Bahr Al-Arab Pharmacy
Hotels
The hotels and resorts in the governorate and on the island see a significant influx of Omanis and tourists, especially during holidays. Some of the most important tourist establishments include:
- Masirah Island Resort
- Masirah Hotel
- Dana Al-Khaleej Hotel
- Serapis Hotel
- Masirah Beach Camp
- Beach House Rest House
- Darin Chalet
- Al-Masira Al-Farah Camp
- Al-Jazirah Chalet
- Samet Lodge
Beaches
- Bayah Beach
- Bou Rassas Beach
- Thamiya Beach
- Masirah Beach
- Ghabb Beach
Real Estate in Masirah Region
The demand for real estate on the island is somewhat low, and there are not many listings available due to its distance from the center of the Sultanate. Listings for apartments for sale in Masirah on the open market include:
Number of Rooms
- Two Bedrooms
- Three Bedrooms
Number of Bathrooms
- Two Bathrooms
- Four Bathrooms
Furnished and Unfurnished
- Unfurnished
- Partially Furnished
More options are available on the OpenSooq website, where you can check listings for apartments in Masirah, Oman, at any time.
