Oman's wadis

A wadi is a valley that is dry for much of the year and runs with water after rain. In Oman, some wadis hold pools of clear water all year, and they are among the most memorable places in the country.

Oman sits on the south-eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula. It is mostly desert, but the Hajar Mountains rise along the north and east, and the Dhofar region in the south catches the summer monsoon. Wadis carry rain from the high ground down to the sea or the desert, and people have lived beside them for thousands of years.

Start here

• Why visit Oman: mountains, coast, desert, culture and the seasons.
• The wadis: what they are, how they form, and how people use and respect them.
• Wadi guide: short entries on six well-known wadis.
• Plan your visit: when to go, what to bring and how to stay safe.
• About this site: how this demo was made.

One thing to know before anything else

Wadis can flood suddenly, even when the sky above you is clear, because rain may fall far upstream. Read the safety section before you go.