12 Muscat Area Swimming Pools

Summers are long in Oman, May through September, and the heat can still continue outside of this period. Even if the temperature isn’t hot, you can expect a considerable amount of sun. Perfect for sunbathing, and laying out by the pool. Muscat has a number of swimming pools in the area that you can enjoy, even if you are not a hotel guest. Below is my list of 12 Muscat area swimming Pools to cool you down and keep you entertained for an afternoon. 

The list includes all the important information you need to know: website, contact info, fees, open times, if food and alcohol are available, location map for each pool, and of course my commentary. UPDATED January, 2018.

D’s List of 12 Muscat Area Swimming Pools

1. Al Nahda Resort

I have not visited this pool, as it is a bit of a hike from Muscat. I thought to not include it in my list of muscat area swimming pools, but I hear it is a nice pool and location, so it remains. If you have been, send me your thoughts.

2. Capital Area Yacht Club (CAYC)

Well, there is no pool here and the yacht club, but maybe you are looking for a good place to swim in the sea, in Muscat, in your bikini, without offending the locals. This is a good place for that. The beach is nice and it’s now more quiet than it used to be because they do not serve alcohol anymore. Last note: it’s a bit rundown, but you get what you pay for… still worth it.

3. Crowne Plaza

This pool has the best view of all the Muscat area swamping pools, hands down. You will find lots of lounge chairs available and a nearby bar. (Actually the pool at al Husn hotel, pictured above, has the best view, but they don’t allow outside guests.)

4. Dolphin Village

Update March, 2017 – The Dolphin Village is no longer open to outside guests. During my last visit to the bar I noticed a huge sign saying that outside guests must be introduced to reception by a resident of Dolphin Village. Sorry guys, it’s a real shame.

Want to feel what it was like to be an expat in Oman during the 90’s? Dolphin Village is unique on my list of Muscat area swimming pools as it’s the only pool on the list not geared towards tourists. They recently completed a renovation and revamped the payment system, so gone is the bleak 70’s architecture and frustrating bar chits. You’ll find many expat families here enjoying the afternoon at the pool. The best value on the list.

4. Park Inn by Radisson

What the Park Inn has going for it is the location and the view. Centrally located and the view is pretty decent considering the distance to the sea. However, the ever expanding city is always threatening that vew. The major downside to this pool is noise from the Sultan Qaboos Highway. So, maybe not the best choice if peace and quiet are your top priority.

5. Grand Hyatt

Parking can be a bit difficult at this hotel, but besides that you have a wonderful pool right next to the beach. The best feature is the restaurant adjacent to the pool serving up expensive, but tasty asian specialties. Nasi Goreng anybody?

6. Intercontinental

You might be fooled to think you are on some tropical island if you you had a few too many to drinks at this pool, because it is surrounded by a lovely garden and palm trees. Try the nearby restaurant, Tomato, they serve up a good pizza pie.

7. Marina Bandar al Rowdha

Here is the only pool on my list of Muscat areas swimming pools that is free! That’s right, go to the Blue Marlin Resturant for lunch and spend the afternoon at the pool. This pool is my pick because it overlooks the marina, has reasonably priced drinks, and an expansive food menu. What more do you want?

8. Muscat Hills Resort (previously Oman Dive Centre)

This place might not be the best choice for 2017 because there is a lot of loud construction going on nearby. In the past you would be able to find every young western expat spending a weekend afternoon here, but this changed with the new ownership and fee hikes. The pool itself isn’t much to write home about size wise, but the new remodel spruced it up. The bay and the beach are ok. However, the beach bar and lounge area is fantastic and truly relaxing as long as the construction is off for the the day.

9. The Platinum

The only rooftop pool on my list of Muscat area swimming pools. This pool is small, but it is shaded so maybe it’s a good place to visit in the dead of summer.

10. Radisson Blu

The Radisson does a good job with this pool, it has a lovely infinity edge and waterfall. I see tourists sitting out in the many lounge chairs all times of the year. Over the course of Ramadan 2016, the pool underwent a major refurbishment so this pool is fresh and ready for use. If you are looking for a hotel with a pool the stay at, that isn’t too expensive, consider the Radisson Blu because there are so many great please to eat off-site, within walking distance.

11. Shangri-La

Here is the top of the range, but what do you expect from the Shangri-La? You can visit their pools as an outside guest, but it’s going to cost you. Twenty five Omani rial will get you access to two pools that are connected by a freaking lazy river! Oh, and you get lunch for that, and access to the beach. I guess you get what you pay for.

12. Sifawy Boutique Hotel

By far this pool is the farthest away on my list of Muscat areas swimming pools, but if you are up for a pleasant drive, swim and lunch, you might fancy Sifawy.

* Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex

While this pool doesn’t meet my criteria for a Muscat area pool where visitors can swim, some expats might stumble upon this post looking for places to lane swim. Located in the Bousher district, Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex has an olympic size swimming pool for members to use. The cost is 45 OMR for six months, but you must be a resident of Oman. There are no day pass options.

 

Which one of the Muscat area swimming pools fancies you most? Leave me a comment below.

12 Muscat Area Swimming Pools Table

[table id=29 /]

---

 

12 Muscat Area Swimming Pools Locations

[osm_map_v3 map_center=”23.531,58.569″ map_border=”solid thin #F0F0F0″ zoom=”11″ width=”100%” height=”450″ file_list=”../../../../wp-content/uploads/2016/09/048_al_nahda_resort_pool_wpt.gpx, ../../../../wp-content/uploads/2016/09/049_capital_area_yacht_club_beach_wpt.gpx, ../../../../wp-content/uploads/2016/08/050_crowne_plaza_pool_wpt.gpx, ../../../../wp-content/uploads/2016/09/051_dolphin_village_pool_wpt.gpx, ../../../../wp-content/uploads/2016/09/052_grand_hyatt_pool_wpt.gpx, ../../../../wp-content/uploads/2016/09/053_intercontinental_pool_wpt.gpx, ../../../../wp-content/uploads/2016/09/054_marina_bandar_al_rowdha_pool_wpt.gpx, ../../../../wp-content/uploads/2016/09/055_muscat_hills_dive_centre_beach_pool_wpt.gpx, ../../../../wp-content/uploads/2016/09/056_the_platinum_pool_wpt.gpx, ../../../../wp-content/uploads/2016/09/057_radisson_blu_pool_wpt.gpx, ../../../../wp-content/uploads/2016/09/058_shangri-la_pool_wpt.gpx, ../../../../wp-content/uploads/2016/09/059_sifawy_boutique_hotel_pool_wpt.gpx, ../../../../wp-content/uploads/2016/08/060_sultan_qaboos_sports_complex_wpt.gpx, ../../../../wp-content/uploads/2018/01/086_park_inn_pool_wpt.gpx” file_color_list=”red,red,red,red,red,red,red,red,red,red,red,red,red,red” type=”cyclemap”]

 

Download the GPX/KML files

---

Disclaimer: While every effort is made to provide accurate information, this information is made available with the understanding that data is provided with no warranties, expressed or implied, concerning data accuracy, completeness, reliability, or suitability. This site and its contributors shall not be liable regardless of the cause or duration, for any errors, inaccuracies, omissions, or other defects in, or untimeliness or inauthenticity of, the information, or for any delay or interruption in the transmission thereof to the user, or for any claims or losses arising therefrom or occasioned thereby. The end user assumes the entire risk as to the quality of the data.

SaveSave

SaveSave