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Salalah Khareef season starts: Top attractions, travel guide to Oman for UAE residents
Southwesterly winds from the Indian Ocean bring mist, drizzle and low clouds to Dhofar, covering mountains with greenery and bringing waterfalls to otherwise arid nature
- PUBLISHED: Sun 21 Jun 2026, 6:00 AM UPDATED: Sun 21 Jun 2026, 12:06 PM
As summer heat intensifies across the Gulf, UAE residents seeking a cool nature escape flock to southern Oman, where the highly anticipated Khareef season is transforming the arid region into a vibrant green paradise.
If you are planning a trip to Salalah or the wider Dhofar Governorate during this time of year, here are the answers to the most common questions you might have:
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1. What is Salalah Khareef season? Why is it important for tourism in Oman?
Khareef is the annual monsoon season that turns southern Oman, especially Dhofar Governorate, into lush and breathtaking greenery. The word "Khareef" in Arabic means "autumn", but in Oman it refers to this specific monsoon season rather than autumn itself.
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This natural transformation attracts hundreds of thousands to the region each year, boosting tourism and local businesses. According to data from the National Centre for Statistics and Information in Oman, 1,027,255 visitors travelled to Dhofar during the 2025 Khareef season, a 2.1% increase over 2024.
2. When does the Khareef season in Salalah start and end in 2026?
The Khareef season starts on Sunday, June 21, 2026, and will run until Monday, September 21, 2026.
3. What makes Salalah weather unique during the Khareef monsoon period?
While the wider Gulf region witnesses intense summer heat and high levels of cruel humidity during this time of year, southwesterly winds from the Indian Ocean result in mist, drizzle, and low clouds in Dhofar, covering mountains with greenery and bringing fog and waterfalls to otherwise desert nature.
4. What are the best tourist attractions to visit in Salalah during Khareef 2026?
Here are some of the places you can visit in Salalah:
Wadi Darbat
Considered a must-see and the crown jewel of Salalah's attractions during the Khareef season, the valley offers visitors a chance to experience nature among emerald lakes, limestone cliffs and seasonal waterfalls. They can rent a kayak or paddleboat and enjoy a calm lakeside ride, or observe the camels roaming freely.
Mughsail Beach
Located along the Arabian Sea, the beach offers white sands and limestone cliffs. Don't miss the Marneef Cave Blowholes, where powerful ocean waves crash into underground caves and shoot seawater up to 30 meters into the air. People, especially children, gather around them to play and enjoy. Restaurants and cafes beside the cave offer affordable meals with an ocean view.
Jabal Samhan
It's the highest peak in the Dhofar mountain range, rising to roughly 4,000 feet above sea level. Adventurous visitors can stand at the edge of massive cliffs and watch the low fogs and thick monsoon clouds against the mountain edge.
Waterfalls
Seasonal waterfalls include Wadi Darbat Waterfalls, Athum, Kur, Jujab and Al-Hawta. There are also popular springs such as Ain Razat, Hamran, Jarziz, Sahlnut, and Tabraq.
Al Husn Souq
Salalah's historic souq offers a true experience of the local culture. Al Husn is a great spot to buy presents from Omani handicrafts, fabrics, spices, and souvenirs. The souq is the best place in the city for a shopping experience.
Sinkholes
Dhofar has four enormous sinkholes, including one of the world's biggest: the yawning Kahf Teiq, 211 metres (692 feet) deep and 150 metres wide. Dhofar folklore has it that the sinkholes were created by meteorite strikes, direct hits from outer space that gouged the colossal craters. But geologists explain that water seeping into the porous limestone forms an acid that dissolves it, creating the caverns over thousands of years.
5. What else can visitors do in Salalah?
During this Khareef season, authorities announced activities and attractions across several locations in the governorate. Besides beaches, waterfalls and sinkholes, this year's programme includes 125 cultural, artistic, sporting and entertainment events, according to Dhofar Municipality.
One main venue is Itin Square, returning with a revised format featuring international performances alongside cultural and entertainment events. The nearby City Centre area on the Itin Plain will also host live performances, public events and light shows.
Al Morooj Theatre will host theatrical performances, concerts and cultural seminars throughout the season. At Awqad Public Garden, the "Child's Time" area offers hands-on activities for children to explore different professions and includes a "Children's University" with interactive educational programmes.
The sporting calendar includes the Dhofar Marathon, a cycling race, the Tour of Salalah and several races across the governorate. Samharam Village will also host a traditional weapons shooting championship as part of the season's events.
6. How can travellers reach Salalah from UAE during Khareef season?
The fastest way to reach Salalah from the UAE is to take a direct flight. Several airlines operate direct services to the Omani city from emirates such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah.
Some residents would drive to Oman or take the bus to enter the sultanate, then head to Salalah from there. UAE residents can get an online visa to Oman before travelling, or obtain one upon arrival. The tourist visa costs five Omani riyals (approximately Dh48).
7. Things to keep in mind
If you are planning a trip to Salalah this season, it is recommended that you exercise caution due to the following reasons:
Hazardous mountain roads: Mountain routes in Dhofar can be dangerous; heavy fog requires utmost attention and cautious driving. Roads wind through sharp turns, steep inclines, and mist-covered hills.
Camel crossings: Motorists must remain alert, as large herds of camels frequently cross the roads, causing traffic to halt until they pass
Slippery surfaces: Continuous drizzle during the Khareef season leaves roads slick, especially near mountains and waterfalls
Make sure to carry the following:
Insect repellent: The lush greenery attracts more mosquitoes, making a reliable repellent spray essential for visitors.
Umbrellas: Rain gear or an umbrella is a must-have item due to the constant drizzle.
Portable power banks: Extra power sources are necessary since popular natural attractions are located far from hotels and charging stations.
Yasmin Hussein is an Assistant Digital Editor who believes that every news story carries a human element. Her motto is 'get it first, but first get it right'.