Khasab: The Musandam Governor's Office revealed specifics on Wednesday during a press conference in Khasab about the inaugural Musandam International Diving Festival, which will be conducted from 25-28 August 2025.
The event intends to promote ecotourism and marine tourism in the governorate through a sustainable gathering of divers, tourists, and investors from around the world.
The celebration will include a variety of activities and tournaments throughout Khasab, as well as special ones in Kumzar and Dibba. They include the Deepsea cleanup campaign, Free Diving Champion challenge, underwater photography competition, Kayak race (traditional Omani QadahBassah), and best marine life video contest.
Accompanying events will feature an exhibition of photos and videos from Musandam's depths, group diving trips to significant sites, short film screenings on marine life, a maritime souq (market) selling diving gear, local seafood, and handicrafts, and a diving conference aimed at establishing an Omani Diving Federation.
The festival will also feature specialised workshops and seminars, such as a coral reef conservation session, "The Future of Diving in the Gulf" symposium, PADI-certified training workshop, introductory diving tourism investment opportunity sessions, and beginner diving lessons.
Sayyid Ibrahim Said Al Busaidi, Governor of Musandam, emphasised that the festival, which is organised in partnership with the Musandam Exploration Diving Centre, will serve as a global platform for professional divers, enthusiasts, adventure seekers, marine sports athletes, media personalities, diving businesses, equipment suppliers, ecotourists, and local visitors.
He emphasized that the event's goal is to promote Musandam as a popular diving destination, showcase the governorate's distinct marine biodiversity, aid local tourism centers and diving initiatives, and provide economic prospects for residents.
He emphasized that Musandam's waters, where the Arabian Gulf meets the Indian Ocean, have a diversified marine biodiversity, making it an superb diving location for all skill levels.
He also stated that diving tourism would promote economic growth by attracting high-end visitors looking for one-of-a-kind natural experiences, boosting infrastructure development, such as dive centres, hotels, restaurants, and transport services, and creating employment in diving instruction, boat operation, hospitality, and marine conservation.
