Fahal Island – Located 2.5miles (4 km) off Al Qurum beach in Muscat, Al Fahal Island is a fossilized limestone formation with three prominent pinnacles that peek out above sea level. It is also known as Shark Island due to the black-tip reef sharks found around shallow sandbank.
It is composed mostly of around 55 to 35 million year old Eocene limestone and marl. This limestone was originally part of the sea floor. It is made up from the shells of marine organisms such as bivalve shellfish, coral and algae, deposited in a shallow marine environment.
It is a heaven for Oman’s diverse fish and coral species. Schools of fish are often found in and around the corals and reefs, there are many species, shapes and colors. If you are lucky can see whale sharks swimming by. It’s an excellent place for snorkeling and diving. Other marine life that thrives in the area includes barracuda, giant Eagle rays, and Mobula rays. Each one of Oman’s 39 coral species can be found here, making this one of the country’s most exciting diving sites.
