Whale watching in the Sultanate of Oman

Close encounters with whales are not unusual along Oman’s rich

and varied shores. Together with their cousins, the dolphins,

there may be as many as 22 species that inhabit or pass through

the seas of the Sultanate. In some areas, it is possible to regularly

encounter hundreds of spinner dolphins mixed with schools of common

dolphins. Boats become surrounded by a sea alive with dolphins,

leaping, spinning, somersaulting and generally frolicking around.

Risso’s dolphins, false killer whales and perhaps pilot whales

may race past, or come in close to bowride. Bottlenose and Indo-Pacific

humpback dolphins are regularly seen and exciting, close up views

of humpback , Bryde’s, sei, minke and sperm whales have thrilled

many an avid observer. Fortunate whale watchers could also come

across striped and pantropical spotted dolphins, killer whales,

pygmy killer whales, blue and fin whales, even dwarf and pygmy

sperm whales of the shy Cuvier’s beaked whale. There are surely

others, such as the finless porpoise, waiting for the first lucky

viewer.

Relatively little is known about any of the whales and dolphins

around Oman, or for that matter the whole of Arabia. Recent sightings

have even suggested the possibility of two species new to science.

The reason for the lack of information is, quite simply, that

few people are aware of the wealth of whales and dolphins (or

cetaceans, as they are collectively called) in the region and

fewer still have attempted any serious study. The chance of seeing

a dolphin that is yet to be described by science or a whale that

is yet to be recorded in the area is an experience that few other

locations around the world can offer.

Watch Out for Whale -Watching

Despite this, there are plans to implement whale -watching on

a small scale in the near future. This will be done with the initial

help of scientists and students who will count, photograph, map

and generally gather data on any whales and dolphins that are

sighted. Gradually a picture will emerge not only of where the

greatest number of whales are, but also of what they are doing

and when they are doing it. If, for example, whales are breeding

during summer months then to approach them closely at sea may

disturb them. This has clear repercussions for the whales and

any negative impact on them is deflected directly back to those

who are trying to watch them. There is certainly little doubt

that Oman has the potential to attract a share of the industry’s

annual global revenue of over US $ 317 million and to add to the

four million people world-wide that venture out to sea every year

to watch whales.

Prior to the development of organized whale-watching in Oman,

enthusiasts can still join in on the secret. Whales can be seen

from land along much of Oman’s beautiful coastline. Good vantage

points are common where mountains reach the shore as cliffs, and

in many areas headlands jut far out to sea. Humpback and minke

whales are the most likely to be sighted feeding in shallow waters,

and humpback and bottlenose dolphins habitually spend most or

all of their time inshore. Far better, however, is to venture

out to sea by boat. As there are no commercial whale-watching

companies in Oman, this means either joining friends in a privately

owned vessel or hiring a fishing boat from one of many opportunistic

fishermen in any fishing village along the coast.

Where and When to Watch

Early mornings and evenings are usually the best times to look

for cetaceans, as the sea is often calmer and the light better.

They can be found any distance offshore, the majority of sightings

so far being close to land. However, small boats rarely venture

any distance out to sea and trips further offshore could prove

extremely worthwhile. Recently, a pod of sperm whales, numbering

over 24 individuals, including young, was sighted in deepwater

some distance off Muscat. Fishermen report numerous sightings

of what are thought to be false killer whales at a similar distance

from land, which, they say, sometimes follow their boats for several

hours leaping into the air and riding the bow wave.

Dolphins are easier to find than the bigger whales as they tend

to swim in larger groups and surface more frequently. Splashes

made by performing dolphins are often the first thing you will

see. Some, such as the commonly encountered spinner dolphin, leap

over 3 m into the air, before slapping back down onto the water’s

surface. Fleets of fishing boats may also betray the presence

of dolphins as fishermen are known to follow the dolphins in search

of tuna (see Vol. 1 No.1). Similarly, flocking seabirds may be

an indication of dolphins or whales feeding nearby. You will certainly

notice a large whale jumping out of the water, or breaching, as

if in joyful mood. The thunderous splash made as it re-enters

the sea cannot only be seen but may also be heard, several kilometres

away.

There is no single location at which you are most likely to see

cetaceans in Oman. Patient observers anywhere at sea may eventually

be rewarded. However, as an initial guide, many are seen in Dhofar

and around its offshore islands, which seems to be the area of

greatest potential for whale -watching. The waters immediately

off Muscat, however, are where the majority of whales have been

seen. This is probably more a reflection of the number of whale

enthusiasts in the area than the abundance of whales, but the

fact remains that here too there are unique opportunities for

hours of pleasurable and exciting whale -watching. Other relatively

unexplored areas where whales are to be found – and who is to

say how many and of which species – are the seas off the easternmost

point of Arabia at the Ra’s al Hadd headland, the rich and intriguing

waters around Masirah Island, and the fascinating Musandam region

in the extreme north.

Watching Out for the Future

The future of whales and those wishing to watch them in Oman looks

bright. A cetacean action team has been established that will

not only ascertain information of value to tourism industries,

but will also benefit the benevolent giants themselves. Direct

action is being taken in Oman to reduce the number of whales and

dolphins accidentally caught in fishing nets every year. In the

public eye, a team of volunteer divers is on 24 hour standby,

ready to react to reports of cetaceans in distress. Their reward

is simply the privilege of close contact with a mysterious and

lovable animal and a log book entry that will be the envy of many

a diver. Below the surface, scientific research and negotiations

in government offices are beginning to show results. An office,

assigned solely to the task of conducting research and controlling

rescue operations, has recently been established that will continue

to create awareness and instigate government support for Oman’s

whales and dolphins.

Whale-watchers are encouraged to report their sightings to the

new office and already, with the launch of a book that guides

whale-watchers in their search, progress has been made. In addition,

concerned companies such as Shell Marketing, Swiss Air, Inter-Continental

Hotels, Taylor Woodrow-Towell, Truckoman, Arabian Mapping, Sabco,

Family Bookshop and the Arabian Seas Expedition are providing

support that will enable aims to be achieved and ensure that future

generations, both nationally and throughout the world, will be

able to experience the thrill of Oman’s whales and dolphins first

hand, and not just learn about them in history books. It is a

lesson in conservation of which Oman has just cause to be proud

and for which whale -watchers will be thankful.