Al Qibliyah Rock
A dive around an isolated rock off Al Qibliyah, the most easterly and most remote island of the Hallaniyats, which is also a seabird colony. It is visited on the longer liveaboard itineraries and rarely dived by anyone else. A vessel ran aground near the island in 2026.
Facts
- Region: Dhofar & Hallaniyat Islands – Oman
- Area: Al Hallaniyat (Kuria Muria) Islands
- Depth: 10–30 m
- Level: advanced
- Current: moderate
- Type: reef, rock
- Coordinates: 17.488, 56.34 (approximate)
- Highlights: isolated rock, remote, fish schools, soft coral
- 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 rock position not published: placed near the island by estimate.
- Tips: Remote; no help nearby; permit required.
Sources
- https://divernet.com/world-dives/hallaniyats-an-archipelago-less-travelled/
- https://www.aggressor.com/captains-logs-view.php?id=1217
- https://extradivers-worldwide.com/en/dive-safaris/oman/my-oman-explorer-tour-description/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuria_Muria_Islands
- https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/oman/oman-says-no-oil-spill-after-vessel-runs-aground-near-hallaniyat-islands-reserve-1.500594518