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
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.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.
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 days77 °F (25 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 3 rain days
- Buraimi24 °C (75 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 1 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 1 rain days
- Dibba, Musandam Peninsula24 °C (75 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 2 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 63 °F (17 °C), 2 rain days
- Duqm26 °C (79 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 1 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 63 °F (17 °C), 1 rain days
- Ibra26 °C (79 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 1 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 1 rain days
- Ibri24 °C (75 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 2 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 2 rain days
- Khasab24.3 °C (76 °F) / 16.6 °C (62 °F), 4 rain days76 °F (24.3 °C) / 62 °F (16.6 °C), 4 rain days
- Madha24 °C (75 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 2 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 2 rain days
- Mirbat26 °C (79 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 2 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 2 rain days
- Saiq15 °C (59 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 2 rain days59 °F (15 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 2 rain days
- Sur26 °C (79 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 3 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 3 rain days
- Taqah27 °C (81 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 2 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 2 rain days
- Thumrait28 °C (82 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 1 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 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
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)
Mild 18–26°C (64–79°F); the best months.Mild 64–79°F (18–26°C); the best months.
Best months: Nov–Mar
Best months: Nov–Apr
Best months: Nov–Mar
Best months: Nov–Mar
Best months: Nov–Mar
Best months: Nov–Apr
Best months: Nov–Mar