Nine granite islands surrounded by hard coral in clear water, with whale sharks aggregating in autumn, resident hawksbill and…Nine granite islands surrounded by hard coral in clear water, with whale sharks aggregating in autumn, resident hawksbill and green turtles, honeycomb morays, and eagle ray schools moving between the islands. The islands themselves are a bird reserve stacked with breeding terns and ospreys. The Daymaniyats were Oman's first marine nature reserve, declared in 1996, and the closure to landings during nesting season is one of the stricter regimes in the Gulf. This coast is the old Omani dhow route to Zanzibar and India, and Sohar, further up, claims Sindbad. Anchorage: Anchor in the lee of the group on a day trip from Muscat. Landing ashore is restricted, and closed entirely from May to October for nesting turtles. Hazards: Summer heat and the shamal wind; permits and closed seasons are enforced by the coastguard. Meer