Skip to content
Voykit

When to go · Oman

Oman in January

Great month. Best weather everywhere except cold mountain nights; book hotels and 4x4s ahead.

Key facts

Verdict
Great
Crowds
High
Oman
Prices
High
Oman

Verdict

GreatVoykit month rating for Oman

Best weather everywhere except cold mountain nights; book hotels and 4x4s ahead.

Is another month better than January?

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

Weather in January

  • 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.

  • 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).

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Musandam · Khasab and the fjordsbest weather

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

  • 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.

  • 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.

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

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

  • Muscat25 °C (77 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 3 rain days
  • Buraimi24 °C (75 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 1 rain days
  • Dibba, Musandam Peninsula24 °C (75 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 2 rain days
  • Duqm26 °C (79 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 1 rain days
  • Ibra26 °C (79 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 1 rain days
  • Ibri24 °C (75 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 2 rain days
  • Khasab24.3 °C (76 °F) / 16.6 °C (62 °F), 4 rain days
  • Madha24 °C (75 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 2 rain days
  • Mirbat26 °C (79 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 2 rain days
  • Saiq15 °C (59 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 2 rain days
  • Sur26 °C (79 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 3 rain days
  • Taqah27 °C (81 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 2 rain days
  • Thumrait28 °C (82 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 1 rain days

Festivals and holidays

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.

  • Sultan's Accession Day

    11 Jan

    Public holiday; government offices closed — check it is still observed.

  • Isra and Mi'raj

    About 5 Jan 2027 (lunar — check)

    Holiday in some years; check whether it is on the official list.

  • Peak tourist season

    November to March · Muscat

    Best weather; book hotels and wadi trips ahead.

Crowds and prices

Crowds · Oman
High
Prices · Oman
High

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

Compare two months

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

  • Verdict

    Jan: Great

    Feb: Great

  • Crowds

    Jan: High

    Feb: High

  • Prices

    Jan: High

    Feb: High

  • Festivals listed

    Jan: 3

    Feb: 3

January: Best weather everywhere except cold mountain nights; book hotels and 4x4s ahead.

February: Still ideal; Ramadan starts about 8 Feb in 2027 — check, and plan around daytime closures.

Oman: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.

What to pack

  • Layers: a fleece or light jacket

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Where to go in January

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

    Mild 18–26°C (64–79°F); the best months.

  • 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