Oman in December

Peak with Europeans and Gulf holidaymakers; desert camps and Jebel Akhdar hotels sell out at New Year.

No other month rates higher than December for Oman in this guide.

• Muscat and the Batinah coast · Muscat, Sohar, Surbest weather

  Winter days 25–28 °C (77–82 °F); May–August reach 45 °C (113 °F) with humidity on the coast. Cyclones are rare but possible in May–June and October–November.Winter days 77–82 °F (25–28 °C); May–August reach 113 °F (45 °C) with humidity on the coast. Cyclones are rare but possible in May–June and October–November.

• Interior and desert · Nizwa, Bahla, Ibri, Wahiba Sandsbest weather

  Dry heat, 45–50 °C (113–122 °F) in summer; desert nights in December–January can drop near 10 °C (50 °F).Dry heat, 113–122 °F (45–50 °C) in summer; desert nights in December–January can drop near 50 °F (10 °C).

• Mountains · Jebel Akhdar, Jebel Shams (2,000–3,000 m)cool

  About 10–15 °C (18–27 °F) cooler than Muscat; winter nights near freezing on Jebel Shams, and summer is the escape from the coast heat.About 18–27 °F (10–15 °C) cooler than Muscat; winter nights near freezing on Jebel Shams, and summer is the escape from the coast heat.

• Dhofar · Salalah, Mirbat, Mughsailbest weather

  The khareef monsoon (about late June to late September) brings drizzle, fog and 25 °C (77 °F) with green hills; the rest of the year is dry and warm beach weather.The khareef monsoon (about late June to late September) brings drizzle, fog and 77 °F (25 °C) with green hills; the rest of the year is dry and warm beach weather.

• Musandam · Khasab and the fjordsbest weather

  Same heat rhythm as Muscat; calm seas for dhow cruises in winter.

• Central Coastal Oman: Coastal strip (Qurayyat to Duqm) · Gulf of Oman coastbest weather

  November to March is comfortable for wadis and camping; May to September is 40 °C (104 °F)-plus and humid, so swim early and stay out of the sun midday. Summer rain is rare but winter rain can close wadi paths.November to March is comfortable for wadis and camping; May to September is 104 °F (40 °C)-plus and humid, so swim early and stay out of the sun midday. Summer rain is rare but winter rain can close wadi paths.

• Dhofar: Salalah and the coastal plain · Coast from Mughsayl to Mirbatbest weather

  Khareef (southwest monsoon) June–September brings cool, wet, foggy weather; the dry season October–March is warm and clear.

• Dhofar: Dhofar Mountains · Jabal Samhan and the Jiballi villagesfine

  Green and misty in the khareef; viewpoints are best in the dry season. The rain does not cross the mountains — the desert beyond is arid.

• Dhofar: Interior and Empty Quarter edge · Shisr, Wadi Dawkah, Thumraitbest weather

  Desert heat most of the year; go in the cooler months and carry water.

• Northern Oman: Muscat and the Al-Batinah coast · Coastal northbest weather

  Nov–Mar is the comfortable window; summer is hot and humid.

• Northern Oman: Hajar Mountains (Nizwa, Jebel Akhdar, Jebel Shams) · Interiorcool

  Cooler than the coast; Jebel Akhdar and Jebel Shams are best Mar–May and Sep–Nov.

• Muscat26 °C (79 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 2 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 66 °F (19 °C), 2 rain days
• Buraimi26 °C (79 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 1 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 1 rain days
• Dibba, Musandam Peninsula26 °C (79 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 2 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 2 rain days
• Duqm27 °C (81 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 1 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 1 rain days
• Ibra28 °C (82 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 9 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 9 rain days
• Ibri26 °C (79 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 2 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 2 rain days
• Khasab26.4 °C (80 °F) / 18.3 °C (65 °F), 3 rain days80 °F (26.4 °C) / 65 °F (18.3 °C), 3 rain days
• Madha26 °C (79 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 2 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 2 rain days
• Mirbat27 °C (81 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 2 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 2 rain days
• Saiq17 °C (63 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 2 rain days63 °F (17 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 2 rain days
• Sur27 °C (81 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 2 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 66 °F (19 °C), 2 rain days
• Taqah27 °C (81 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 2 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 2 rain days
• Thumrait29 °C (84 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 1 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 63 °F (17 °C), 1 rain days

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Peak tourist season

  November to March · Muscat

  Best weather; book hotels and wadi trips ahead.

• Muscat Festival season (varies)

  Late Nov – early Dec · Muscat

  Events at Qurum and Amerat parks; check dates.

Crowds · Oman

High

Prices · Oman

High

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Oman, side by side.

• Layers: a fleece or light jacket

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Rated best or good this month

• Muscat and the Batinah coast

  Best weather of the year (Muscat, Sohar, Sur)

• Interior and desert

  Best weather of the year (Nizwa, Bahla, Ibri, Wahiba Sands)

• Dhofar

  Best weather of the year (Salalah, Mirbat, Mughsail)

• Musandam

  Best weather of the year (Khasab and the fjords)

• Muscat

  Cool evenings; the main season.

• Buraimi

  Best months: Nov–Mar

• Dibba, Musandam Peninsula

  Best months: Nov–Apr

• Duqm

  Best months: Nov–Mar

• Ibra

  Best months: Nov–Mar

• Ibri

  Best months: Nov–Mar

• Khasab

  Best months: Nov–Apr

• Madha

  Best months: Nov–Mar