Wadi Tiwi

Forget wadi bashing with destructive four wheel drives – wadi scrambling is far more fun.  The pools that line the base of this wadi are littered with boulders and a great way to pass an afternoon is scrambling over the rocks and wading through the water to explore the area.  The walk up through the villages is also very pleasant and you can spend an hour exploring the falaj irrigation systems, looking for frogs among the date palms.  There are paths down from the villages to the wadi bed to access the pools, or you can follow the wadi bed all the way up, wading through the pools as you come across them.

The wadi is reasonably accessible and quieter than its more popular neighbour, Wadi Shab.  The pools aren't really deep enough for proper swimming but it's a lovely place for a fairly gentle 'swexpedition' (swimming expedition), if you carry your clothes in a waterproof bag.  If you don't want to walk too far, or are limited by time, a quick paddle in the lower pools would make a good break on the drive between Sur and Muscat.

Please dress conservatively – perhaps swim in shorts and a t-shirt.   

Directions

Take the coast road from Muscat towards Sur and Tiwi is signposted from the highway.  Turn off the highway and go under the road, then take the right turn.  The road winds its way round to the entrance of the wadi (and become a rubbly track, so you may choose to park up and walk the rest of the way if you're in a saloon car).  Note that there are a couple of pools near the entrance to the wadi, but the best ones are further up – follow the wadi bed (rather than the road) to find them.

4WD?

Not needed (although helpful on the last stretch)

Time from Muscat

2 hours drive

Walking time

10 minutes – all day (depending on how far up the wadi you go and where you park)