Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ality, but found a very different reception. A monument to their massacre in the shape of a concessionary Christi-
an cross is all that remains of the luckless crew.
There were rumours of cannibalism and as a result the sultan decreed the destruction of all local houses - there
are surprisingly few permanent settlements, even for the tiny population. A royal pardon was only granted to the
islanders in 2009. You'll be glad to know that nowadays the only meat on the kebabs is likely to be camel or goat.
Hilf
25 / POP 8500
The small town of Hilf, a 3km string of jetties, shops and fish factories in the northwest, is
home to most of Masirah's population. Car ferries from the mainland dock at any of the
three main jetties that line up along the corniche, which runs parallel with the main street
in town.
There are no shops or petrol stations beyond the town, but Hilf caters for most basic
needs from food stuff to simple camping and fishing gear, and the town has hotels, banks,
ATMs, an internet cafe (without the coffee), post office, pharmacy and modern hospital,
all within walking distance of the crossroads on the main street through town.
Beyond Hilf
You'll notice as you drive around the island that the rough Indian Ocean contrasts with the
calm and shallow Masirah Channel, lending a different character to the island on either
side. There are few attractions to draw the visitor away from the beach, but it is worth vis-
iting the 300-year-old
grave sites
at Safa'iq, just inland from the island road (look for a red
flag 6km north of Sur Masirah). Two rocks are usually the only indication of a grave for
men, three rocks for women, but some of the Safa'iq graves have surprisingly elaborate
headstones.
The
Baron Inverdale Monument
is at the far northwest of the island and is currently off lim-
its.
Jebel Humr
(274m) is the highest point of Masirah's hilly backbone and a climb up this
flat-topped mountain is recommended for the wonderful view of the island it affords, es-
pecially at sunset. The plateau is strewn with fossils. Wear good shoes as the scree can be
quite dangerous towards the top. To get there, head out of Hilf in the direction of Sur
Masirah, turn left at the sign for A'Samar and scout around the wadi until the mountain
comes into view. It takes about 30 minutes to hike up the left rump of the mountain and
scramble over the rim.
Masirah is internationally renowned for its turtles: four species frequent the island, in-
cluding the hawksbill, olive ridley and green, but the most numerous are the loggerheads.
