Intro
During our family beach holiday in December 2024, I couldn’t resist incorporating one of my passions: fishing. While planning the trip, I discovered that the waters off the coast of Oman are surprisingly rich in fish. Despite the country being somewhat overlooked as a fishing destination—and even as a travel destination in general—it seemed like the perfect opportunity to test the waters. Naturally, this meant adding a fishing trip to our itinerary.
My primary goal was to catch a Mahi Mahi, a species I’ve long dreamed of reeling in. Of course, landing a GT (Giant Trevally) would have been an equally exciting bonus. Having previously fished in the Indian Ocean, particularly during trips to the Maldives, I was eager to see how Oman’s rich waters would compare. To balance family time and adventure, we decided on two half-day trips rather than a full-day excursion.
On the first trip, I was joined by my father and brother, making it a shared adventure. For the second outing, it was just my brother and me, adding a more focused dynamic to the experience.
Provider Selection
Planning the fishing trip started with some online research. I identified several providers offering tours departing from the harbor near our hotel. One of these, ‘Around the Ocean,’ stood out due to its presence at our hotel’s beach, where representatives actively promoted their services. They also happened to be the most affordable option, with prices slightly lower than those listed online. A little negotiation via WhatsApp was even possible. Another provider, ‘Arabian Fly Sport Fishing,’ caught my attention with its offerings tailored to fly fishermen (though not exclusively), but ultimately, we chose ‘Around the Ocean.’

While price played a role in our decision, it wasn’t the only factor. The provider’s website showcased some impressive catches, which reassured us of their expertise and the potential for a successful trip. Having the convenience of booking directly at the hotel beach and their friendly, approachable staff sealed the deal. Opting for two half-day trips instead of one full day also made it easier to test the waters while balancing family time.
The Fishing Routine
Both fishing trips followed a similar routine, offering a well-structured and efficient approach to exploring the rich waters off Salalah. Each day began with a shuttle ride from the hotel to the nearby harbor, where the adventure truly started. After a brief check-in at the ‘Around the Ocean’ office, we were escorted to the pier, where our guide, Ouzman, awaited us with a 34-foot speedboat. Equipped with a sunshade and multiple rods, the boat looked reliable and well-prepared for the day ahead.

Before heading to the fishing spots, we made a stop at the adjacent fishing harbor to collect live sardines for bait. This process added an interesting local flavor to the experience, as we watched the small fishing boats work their nets to catch a school of sardines. While it required some patience, it was fascinating to see the fresh bait being loaded into tanks onboard, continuously supplied with fresh seawater to keep the sardines lively.
Our first destination each day was a deep-sea spot, about 100 meters deep, where we used a straightforward fishing technique. The rig consisted of a weight to sink the bait and a single hook positioned above it, holding the live sardine. What made this spot particularly exciting was the sense of mystery—there was no way to predict what might take the bait at such depths and then had to be reeled in, adding an element of suspense to every cast.
Later, we moved to a shallower area, around 40 meters deep, where the focus shifted to more aggressive species like barracuda. This spot offered fast-paced action, with fish striking the bait almost immediately after it was dropped into the water. During the transit between spots, we also kept an eye out for surface activity, hoping for a chance to target Mahi Mahi.
The routine struck a perfect balance between deep-sea and shallower-water fishing, offering a variety of techniques and target species, all while showcasing the diverse marine life of the region.
Reeling in a Hammerhead: A Day to Remember!
The first day of fishing was packed with excitement, surprises, and unforgettable moments. After collecting live sardines from the adjacent fishing harbor, we headed to our first deep-sea spot, about 100 meters deep. The anticipation was palpable as we dropped our bait into the depths, never knowing what might be waiting below.
The first fish of the day came quickly, with my brother reeling in two unique catches—a Sultan Bream and a Lazy Fish. Shortly after, my father hooked the first Barracuda of the trip. The highlight of this stop, however, was an unexpected thrill: a heavy fish took the bait on my father’s rod. He passed the rod to my brother, who managed a challenging fight, eventually landing a large and impressive Diamond Trevally. In addition to these catches, all three of us landed various Trevally species, adding to the diversity of the day’s fishing.
As we transitioned to the next spot, we spotted fish chasing prey near the surface. The guide quickly set up rods for top-water fishing, and my father and brother took their chances. Both managed to land stunning Mahi Mahi, much to my delight and a little envy. I had my own chance but ended up catching a Needle Fish instead, a long and striking fish over one meter in length.
At the shallower spot, around 40 meters deep, we focused on Barracuda. The action was intense, with the fish striking the bait almost instantly after it hit the water. This fast-paced fishing turned into a frenzy, and we were quickly hauling in Barracuda of varying sizes. While some of the larger fish exceeded a meter in length, many were around 70–90 cm. I also managed to land a Bonito (False Tuna), while my father added several Rainbow Runners to our growing list of catches.
On the return trip, we made one final stop at the deep-sea spot—and it was the most action-packed moment of the day. All three of us were catching fish, including species we had already seen earlier. Then came the unexpected highlights. My brother engaged in a tough fight with a Spotted Grunter, a strong fish that required skill and persistence to land. Just as he was celebrating his catch, I felt a powerful pull on my rod—the strongest of the day. After an intense fight, I brought a small Hammerhead Shark, around 90 cm long, to the surface. Its rough belly, like sandpaper, left a lasting impression on me. After a quick photo, we released it back into the ocean, ensuring it swam away unharmed.
With these final dramatic catches, we headed back to shore, reflecting on a day full of excitement and memorable firsts.
A Queenfish Steals the Show
The second day began much like the first, though with a bit more time spent gathering baitfish. At the neighboring harbor, we found that the usual sardine schools were scarce. Eventually, we had to make do with alternative baitfish, which looked remarkably similar and, as it turned out, were just as effective.
At the deep-sea spot, the action started quickly. My first catch was a Red Snapper, while my brother reeled in a Longnose Trevally and a Blue Trevally. Not long after, I landed a massive Longnose Trevally and a striking Halfmoon Grouper. My brother added a Spotted Grunter to the tally before the highlight of the day unfolded: a powerful fish took his bait and began an intense fight. After a lengthy and challenging battle, he landed an exceptional Talang Queenfish, well over a meter in length. The excitement and joy of bringing such a magnificent fish aboard were unmatched.







Reluctantly, we moved on to the next spot, but not before a lucky encounter on the way. Spotting Mahi Mahi hunting at the surface, we couldn’t resist casting in their direction. This time, fortune smiled on me, and I finally landed one of these vibrant green-and-gold beauties. Though it wasn’t a giant, it was still a moment I had been hoping for since the trip began.
At the Barracuda spot, the action was even more frenzied than on the first day. Around 30 Barracudas ended up in the cooler, providing non-stop excitement as we watched them strike in the crystal-clear water. This visual aspect of fishing made the experience truly special. Unfortunately, we didn’t see any Rainbow Runners or Bonitos this time, which we had hoped to catch again for their excellent culinary qualities.
Due to time constraints, we couldn’t make another stop at the deep-sea spot on the way back. However, the day was already a resounding success, highlighted by my brother’s incredible Talang Queenfish, a catch that will undoubtedly stand out in our memories.
Wrap-up
Looking back, our fishing trip off the coast of Salalah was an exciting and rewarding experience. At approximately 160 Omani Rial (around 385 EUR) per boat and trip, the cost was reasonable for the quality of fishing we encountered. The sheer variety of species we caught proved that the method used—bottom fishing with live bait—was highly effective. However, I would have appreciated a bit more variation, such as trolling or casting lures from the boat, which unfortunately was not part of the setup.
There were a few logistical aspects to consider. The process of collecting live bait each morning took away valuable fishing time. On the second trip, we requested an earlier departure, leaving at 7:30 AM instead of 8:00 AM. This allowed us to make up for the lost time, as we still returned at 12:00 PM. Another consideration was whether to try a different provider for the second trip, but ‘Around the Ocean’ offered a 10 OMR (approximately 25 EUR) discount, and we already knew what to expect.
The communication with the team was somewhat lacking, particularly after the trip. Questions about species identification went unanswered, which was a bit disappointing. That said, the two half-day trips were action-packed and filled with fantastic catches. The absolute highlights were undoubtedly my Hammerhead Shark and my brother’s Talang Queenfish—both unforgettable moments. And, of course, I did manage to land my long-anticipated Mahi Mahi, even if it was a small one. But that just means I have a bigger goal for the future!
Another fantastic aspect of the trip was that our hotel, the Salalah Rotana Resort, prepared our freshly caught fish exactly to our preferences—and without any extra charge. This was an unexpected treat and a perfect way to round off our fishing experience.
In the end, the experience was absolutely worth it. While there were areas that could have been optimized, the thrill of the catches, the stunning variety of fish, and most importantly, the shared time on the water with family made it a truly special adventure.
Type | Gear | Shopping-Link |
---|---|---|
Rod | Master Jigger Pro MJ662 Jigging Series (Japan Technology Offshore Rod) | buy similar |
Reel | Okuma Ceymar C-65 spinning reel | buy here |