Al Hasikiyah
A dive at Al Hasikiyah, the westernmost of the Hallaniyat Islands: car-sized boulders, swim-throughs and caves with fusiliers, goatfish and bannerfish, and (as the 'Aquarium') massive table corals, jacks and leopard sharks; it is also used as a night dive. Typical Hallaniyat conditions apply: cool water, 5–20 m visibility and a thermocline.
Facts
- Region: Dhofar & Hallaniyat Islands – Oman
- Area: Al Hallaniyat (Kuria Muria) Islands
- Depth: 10–30 m
- Level: advanced
- Current: moderate
- Type: reef, boulders, night
- Coordinates: 17.462, 55.601 (approximate)
- Highlights: boulders, swim-throughs, caves, table corals, fusiliers, goatfish, bannerfish, jacks, leopard shark
- Permit: The Al Hallaniyat Islands are a nature reserve (Royal Decree 96/2025). Under the regulation reported in April 2026, prior authorisation from the Environment Authority is required for visiting, diving, photography and anchoring; reported fees: OMR 6 for diving for expatriates (OMR 3 for Omanis), OMR 3 entry; fines apply for unauthorised entry and anchoring. Liveaboard operators normally arrange this: Extra Divers lists a dive permit of OMR 4 per diving day paid on board (figures differ, confirm when booking). The application procedure and contact were not published in the sources.
- Issuer / contact: Environment Authority (Oman)
- No contact published in the sources; the permit is normally handled by the liveaboard operator.
- Unverified: Exact dive position not published: placed at the island's south shore by estimate (island centre per Wikipedia).
- Tips: Liveaboard only; reserve permit required; 5 mm suit plus hood recommended; the main liveaboard asks for 50 dives and Open Water minimum.