Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the afternoon when the sandstone, and its reflection in the water, seem to vibrate with col-
our. Turn right at the mosque in the middle of Khayran village, taking care to dodge the
goats and the small boys selling seashells. Turn left at the junction for Safait Al-Shaikh (at
12.5km) for some excellent snorkelling (watch out for seahorses), or continue to Al-Seifa.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Al-Seifa
There's not much to the scenically appointed village of Al-Seifa, resting in the shadow of
the Hajar Mountains. Nearby beaches to the east, however, offer protected camping for
those who bring equipment and provisions. The beaches are worth a closer look as they
are a lapidary's dream: in between the sandy bays, pebbles of yellow ochre, burnt sienna
and olive green beg to be picked up. For those interested in bugs, the giant-skipper butter-
fly frequents the surrounding wadis in spring. The whole bay is now the location of an
ambitious but not yet wholly complete nor successful tourist development complex called
Al-Muriya.
Al-Seifa is clearly signposted off the Bandar Jissah to Yitti road. It is only about 25km
but it takes a good 40 minutes to drive because of the winding road and some steep des-
cents. You will need 10 minutes more and preferably a 4WD to find your own beach bey-
ond Al-Seifa along unpaved tracks. There is no public transport.
Sleeping & Eating
Sifawy Boutique Hotel$$$ BOUTIQUE HOTEL
( 24 749111; www.sifawyhotel.com ; Al-Seifa; r around OR100; ) Wrapped around a new mar-
ina with a backdrop of mountains, this boutique hotel, designed by renowned Italian archi-
tect Alfredo Freda, will no doubt come into its own once the surrounding residential com-
plex is complete. For now it remains marooned in splendid isolation among a cluster of
half-finished villas and unpaved roads. The hotel's water taxi service (child/adult OR4/8)
contributes to the sense of arriving in a remote location.
The speed boats depart at 10am, noon and 4pm, Thursday to Saturday, from Marina
Bandar al-Rowdha, and make the return journey at 11am, 3pm and 5.30pm. A taxi to or
from Mutrah costs OR15, or OR10 from Bandar Jissah.
As-Sammak$$ SEAFOOD
 
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