Ras Al Jinz
Sur · Oman · the Arabian Sea
Desert · crescent bay · golden sand · open ocean · wild
A turtle reserve where green turtles nest nightly and visits are guided only.
- Booking required to enter
Ras Al Jinz is at the easternmost point of the Arabian peninsula, in Oman's Ash Sharqiyah region, about four hours from Muscat. The beach is a crescent of pale sand between rocky headlands, backed by desert, and it is a protected turtle reserve rather than a public beach.
It is one of the most important green turtle nesting sites in the Indian Ocean. Something in the order of twenty thousand turtles come ashore here each year, and — unusually — nesting happens in every month rather than in a defined season, though numbers peak in the summer. Oman protected the site by royal decree in 1996 and has run it as a reserve with a research centre since.
The shore is fine sand with a moderate slope, and the water is warm and clear. Swimming during the day is possible outside the closed area, but the beach is not the point and access is restricted specifically to protect the nesting. The desert behind is bare gravel and rock, and the site is dark at night by design. Nearby Ras Al Hadd holds a second nesting beach and a lagoon, and the coast between them is bare, low and almost empty of settlement.
Visits are guided only, in two sessions — evening and pre-dawn — booked through the reserve, which also runs the only accommodation. Rules are strict and enforced: no flash, no white light, no touching, no getting between a turtle and the sea. Groups are limited and the guides move them.
No white light, no flash, no going ahead of the guide. Green turtles have come ashore here for longer than there has been anybody to watch them, and the reserve's conditions are what make watching possible at all. Book the pre-dawn session; the evening one is busier and the light is worse.
Watch Ras Al Jinz
The record
- Name
- رأس الجنزromanised per ALA-LC simplified
- Setting
- the Arabian Sea
- Shore
- crescent bay · golden sand · 0.8 km
- Water
- open ocean
- Development
- wild
- Access
- restricted
- Facilities
- Parking · Toilets · Dining
- Best for
- Wildlife
- Season
- Year-roundNesting occurs year-round with a summer peak. Summer air temperatures are extreme; October to April is more comfortable for travel.
- Position
- 22°25.002′ N · 59°49.998′ E
Current notices
- Visits are guided only, in evening and pre-dawn sessions booked through the reserve. Flash photography and white light are prohibited and the rule is enforced. Checked 2026-09-07 · source
Questions
When can you see turtles?
Every month of the year, which is unusual. Numbers peak in the summer, roughly June to September, but nesting continues throughout.
Do you need to book to visit Ras Al Jinz?
Yes. Visits are guided only, in evening and pre-dawn sessions, booked through the reserve. The reserve also operates the only accommodation on site.
What are the rules?
No flash, no white light, no touching, and never come between a turtle and the sea. Guides enforce this and will end a visit over a flash.
Which session is better?
The pre-dawn session generally has more activity and fewer people, and you may see hatchlings. The evening session is easier if you are staying elsewhere.
How far is it from Muscat?
About four hours by road, usually broken with a night at Sur or at the reserve itself. A normal car is fine on the sealed route.
