!["Gums", a resident honeycomb moray eel, smiles for diver photos at the tug and barge wrecks near Fahal Island, Oman](https://www.justgottadive.com/sites/www.justgottadive.com/files/styles/resp_breakpoints_sdtn_content_wide/public/travel_articles/media-photos/main_photos/SDTN/honeycomb_moray_eel_gums_at_tug_and_barge_wrecks_fahal_island_oman.jpg?itok=K3Q1P2T4×tamp=1375224415 "Tug And Barge's Resident Moray "Gums" Smiles For Diver Photos")
While Oman is not a well-known dive destination, it is attracting attention from the international scuba diving community because it has some fantastic secrets to hide. For example, it is home to some of the most diverse and abundant marine life in the region, and it also has some excellent wreck diving. Here, we’ll take a look at just three of the wreck dives Oman has to offer.
The Wreck of Al Munasir
The Al Munasir wreck is one that any certified diver can explore to a certain extent. Situated on the sandy seabed about a half hour’s boat ride out to sea, the wreck sits upright with her keel at a depth of about 30 meters. The ship’s superstructure can be accessed at a depth of just six meters, and as it is slowly acquiring a coating of healthy coral and sponge growth, it is fascinating for less experienced divers to explore. The ship is 84 meters long, with a beam 14.5 meters across. Intentionally sunk by the Royal Navy of Oman after its useful life as a landing craft came to an end, it is easily penetrated by qualified wreck divers. Inside, you may encounter napping turtles, beautifully colored moray eels, and literally thousands of fish and other creatures. The marine life outside is just as stunning, with schooling snapper swirling in clouds, and the occasional shark. Boxfish, grunts, surgeonfish, and angelfish are just a few of the critters you might encounter on this amazing wreck.
The Tug and Barge
Located near Fahal Island, the tug and barge are a pair of wrecks that are noted more for their marine life than for their history. The area surrounding the wrecks is comprised of barren sand, so they truly are like oases for fish and other animals that take shelter in and around their rusting structures. The tug sits near a reef where a resident honeycomb moray eel called “Gums” often greets divers with a gaping grin, and inside the barge, you’ll find a huge resident grouper locals have affectionately dubbed “Spot.” The wrecks are covered with sponges and corals, and are home to plenty of marine life including colorful fish and lots of nudibranchs, including tiny white ones that can barely be seen with the naked eye. The slower you go here the more you will see! The tug is located at a depth of 30 meters and the barge is at 25 meters. Both wrecks are affected by surge and when weather is uncooperative, your dive charter is likely to take you to a different site. Along the way, keep an eye out for spinner dolphins, orcas, and the occasional whale.
MS Mimoona
The MS Mimoona, which is also referred to as the Quriyat Wreck, is an old cargo ship that is outstanding for all divers. The upper portion of the wreck is located at a depth of just 8 meters, and maximum depth is just 16 meters, meaning you can really take your time and enjoy the fish and other animals that now make their homes on this old ship. Located just a short distance from shore, this wreck is quick and easy to access with the help of a charter, and it makes a fantastic second dive.
These are just a few of the wrecks available in Oman; this nation has a rich maritime heritage and as scuba diving becomes more popular, dive operators are using technology to look for new wrecks to dive. If you’re looking for some interesting sites with plenty to see, and if you want to get away from the sometimes crowded conditions found at popular destinations, then consider taking a dive vacation to Oman. You’ll be pleasantly amazed at what you find just beneath the clear, blue water there.