⚠️ Safety notice (UK FCDO, updated 22 July 2026). The UK government says that the situation in the Middle East remains unpredictable and that, since 8 July, there have been strikes and retaliatory attacks by Iran in a number of locations across the region, including Oman. Check the current UK FCDO travel advice for Oman before you book and again before you leave, and keep your plans flexible.
When is the best time to visit Oman? October to April, and more precisely November to March: it is 25 to 30 °C (77 to 86 °F) in the afternoon in Muscat, nights are mild and rain is rare. December, January and February are the most pleasant months to combine the capital, the Hajar Mountains and the desert. Muscat, the Hajar and the desert are shown on our map of Oman.
From May to September the heat becomes crushing in the north: about 40 °C (104 °F) in the afternoon in Muscat in June and more than 43 °C (109 °F) in Nizwa, with nights that do not fall below 28 to 30 °C (82 to 86 °F). The south is the exception: from June to September the monsoon (the khareef) cools and greens the Salalah region. Here is how to choose your dates, based on the normals published by Oman’s Directorate General of Meteorology through the World Meteorological Organization.
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When to go to Oman at a glance
- Best overall November to March (ideal: December to February)
- Still fine October and April, hot in the afternoon (about 35 °C (95 °F) in Muscat)
- Avoid May to September in the north and the desert, with 38 to 44 °C (100 to 111 °F) in the afternoon
- Mountains (Jebel Akhdar) cool in winter (15 °C (59 °F) in the afternoon in January at Saiq), pleasant in spring and autumn
- Southern monsoon (khareef) June to September in Salalah
- Good to know wadis are prone to flash flooding after heavy rainfall from October to March (UK FCDO, GOV.UK, updated 22 July 2026)
When to go to Oman by priority
- Best weather: November to March, ideally December to February
- Cheapest: April and October, outside holidays; from May to September prices are low but the heat in the north is extreme
- Fewest crowds: April and October; December is the busiest month (festive season)
- Events: National Day in November; Ramadan and Eid on variable dates (about 11 days earlier each year); Nizwa livestock market on Friday mornings
Oman: the calendar at a glance
✅ Best months: January, February, March, November, December
❌ Period to avoid: may, June, July, August, September
Climate and weather in Oman month by month
The table below gives the normals for Muscat, the capital and main arrival point. The interior (Nizwa) is hotter by day and cooler at night; the mountains are noticeably cooler; the south (Salalah) follows a different rhythm (details below).
| Month | Avg. max | Avg. min | Rain | Crowds | Prices | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25.1 °C (77 °F) | 16.7 °C (62 °F) | 13.2 mm (0.5 in) | High | High | ✅ Mild and sunny, ideal for a tour |
| February | 26.4 °C (80 °F) | 17.8 °C (64 °F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | High | High | ✅ Ideal, a few showers possible |
| March | 29.5 °C (85 °F) | 20.3 °C (69 °F) | 16.4 mm (0.6 in) | High | High | ✅ Very good, heat building in the interior |
| April | 34.7 °C (94 °F) | 24.2 °C (76 °F) | 11.3 mm (0.4 in) | Moderate | Moderate | ⚠️ Already hot in the afternoon |
| May | 39.6 °C (103 °F) | 28.7 °C (84 °F) | 0 mm (0.00 in) | Low | Low | ❌ Very hot everywhere in the north |
| June | 40.0 °C (104 °F) | 30.3 °C (87 °F) | 10.9 mm (0.4 in) | Low | Low | ❌ Extreme heat, hot nights |
| July | 38.0 °C (100 °F) | 30.1 °C (86 °F) | 3.4 mm (0.1 in) | Low (khareef in the south) | Low | ❌ Heat and humidity on the coast |
| August | 35.6 °C (96 °F) | 28.2 °C (83 °F) | 1.6 mm (0.1 in) | Low (khareef in the south) | Low | ❌ Hot and humid |
| September | 35.6 °C (96 °F) | 26.8 °C (80 °F) | 0 mm (0.00 in) | Low | Low | ❌ Still very hot |
| October | 34.6 °C (94 °F) | 24.2 °C (76 °F) | 0.8 mm (0.03 in) | Moderate | Moderate | ⚠️ Hot, more pleasant at the end of the month |
| November | 30.3 °C (87 °F) | 20.8 °C (69 °F) | 1.6 mm (0.1 in) | High | High | ✅ Mildness returns |
| December | 26.8 °C (80 °F) | 18.3 °C (65 °F) | 16.5 mm (0.6 in) | Very high (festive season) | High | ✅ Ideal, peak crowds at the holidays |
Note: rainfall totals are very low all year (less than 17 mm (0.7 in) a month in Muscat), but they often fall in a few violent showers. That is what makes wadi floods dangerous.
Oman’s seasons: pros and cons
Oman has a hot desert climate. Three factors change the experience: the coast (humid heat), the interior (dry heat, cooler nights) and the altitude of the Hajar Mountains, which peak at about 3,000 m (9,843 ft). Dhofar, in the far south, receives a summer monsoon that does not exist in the rest of the country.
Winter (November to March): the ideal season
Days are warm without excess: 25 to 30 °C (77 to 86 °F) in the afternoon in Muscat, 26 to 33 °C (79 to 91 °F) in Nizwa. Nights are mild on the coast (17 to 20 °C (63 to 68 °F)) and cool in the interior (about 12 °C (54 °F) in January in Nizwa). In the mountains, at Saiq, it is around 15 °C (59 °F) in the afternoon in January and 5 °C (41 °F) at night. It is the season for hiking, wadis and nights in the desert.
- Pros: pleasant temperatures everywhere in the north, warm sea, long days of sightseeing possible
- Cons: high season, higher prices, especially during the Christmas and February holidays
- Good to know: most of Muscat’s little rain falls in winter; a shower can turn a wadi into a torrent within minutes
Spring (April-May): heat that builds quickly
April is still possible, with 35 °C (95 °F) in the afternoon in Muscat and 38 °C (100 °F) in Nizwa. From May, temperatures exceed 39 °C (102 °F) on the coast and 42 °C (108 °F) in the interior, and nights stay around 26 to 30 °C (79 to 86 °F). Jebel Akhdar then becomes the only temperate place in the north (29 °C (84 °F) in the afternoon in May at Saiq).
- Pros: fewer crowds, falling prices
- Cons: heat that makes sightseeing and the desert difficult; concentrate activities in the early morning
Summer (June to September): heat in the north, monsoon in the south
In the north this is the harshest season: 40 °C (104 °F) in the afternoon in Muscat in June, 43 °C (109 °F) in Nizwa, 42 °C (108 °F) in Sur, with high humidity on the coast. The desert is best avoided. Only the mountains remain bearable (about 31 °C (88 °F) in the afternoon at Saiq). In the south, Dhofar on the contrary enjoys its green season: from June to September the khareef brings drizzle, fog and afternoons around 27 to 29 °C (81 to 84 °F) in Salalah.
- Pros: low prices at hotels in the north
- Cons: extreme heat, hiking and desert trips not advisable in this season
Autumn (October): the transition
October is still hot (35 °C (95 °F) in the afternoon in Muscat, 37 °C (99 °F) in Nizwa) but dry. Mildness truly returns from mid-November. Late October is a good compromise for enjoying still moderate prices.
When to go to Oman by region
Comparison of the normals for four official stations:
| Month | Muscat | Nizwa | Sur | Saiq (Jebel Akhdar) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25.1 °C (77 °F) / 16.7 °C (62 °F) | 26.2 °C (79 °F) / 12.3 °C (54 °F) | 26.3 °C (79 °F) / 17.7 °C (64 °F) | 15.2 °C (59 °F) / 4.8 °C (41 °F) |
| March | 29.5 °C (85 °F) / 20.3 °C (69 °F) | 32.5 °C (91 °F) / 17.1 °C (63 °F) | 31.7 °C (89 °F) / 21.7 °C (71 °F) | 20.2 °C (68 °F) / 10.0 °C (50 °F) |
| April | 34.7 °C (94 °F) / 24.2 °C (76 °F) | 37.8 °C (100 °F) / 21.9 °C (71 °F) | 36.5 °C (98 °F) / 25.7 °C (78 °F) | 24.3 °C (76 °F) / 13.5 °C (56 °F) |
| May | 39.6 °C (103 °F) / 28.7 °C (84 °F) | 42.0 °C (108 °F) / 26.0 °C (79 °F) | 41.3 °C (106 °F) / 29.8 °C (86 °F) | 28.7 °C (84 °F) / 17.5 °C (64 °F) |
| July | 38.0 °C (100 °F) / 30.1 °C (86 °F) | 42.7 °C (109 °F) / 28.0 °C (82 °F) | 40.5 °C (105 °F) / 29.5 °C (85 °F) | 30.7 °C (87 °F) / 20.8 °C (69 °F) |
| October | 34.6 °C (94 °F) / 24.2 °C (76 °F) | 36.6 °C (98 °F) / 20.9 °C (70 °F) | 35.7 °C (96 °F) / 25.0 °C (77 °F) | 23.9 °C (75 °F) / 13.0 °C (55 °F) |
| November | 30.3 °C (87 °F) / 20.8 °C (69 °F) | 31.6 °C (89 °F) / 17.8 °C (64 °F) | 31.1 °C (88 °F) / 21.3 °C (70 °F) | 19.5 °C (67 °F) / 8.6 °C (47 °F) |
| December | 26.8 °C (80 °F) / 18.3 °C (65 °F) | 27.8 °C (82 °F) / 14.1 °C (57 °F) | 27.7 °C (82 °F) / 18.8 °C (66 °F) | 16.9 °C (62 °F) / 6.1 °C (43 °F) |
Muscat and the Batinah coast
The capital is pleasant from November to March. In summer, the heat comes with high humidity, and nights stay at 28 to 30 °C (82 to 86 °F). The sea, warm all year, is suitable for swimming and snorkeling in winter.
Nizwa, the Hajar and Jebel Akhdar
The interior has a more continental climate: in Nizwa, 26 °C (79 °F) in the afternoon in January but 12 °C (54 °F) at night, and more than 42 °C (108 °F) from May to August. The Jebel Akhdar plateaus (Saiq station, at about 2,000 m (6,562 ft)) are about 10 °C (50 °F) cooler than Nizwa: very pleasant from March to May and in October, cool in winter (pack a fleece, nights fall to about 5 °C (41 °F) in January). It is also the wettest station in the north, with possible thunderstorms in summer.
Sur, Ras al-Jinz and the Wahiba Sands
Sur has temperatures close to those of Muscat, a little hotter in spring and summer (41 °C (106 °F) in the afternoon in May and June). The Wahiba Sands (Sharqiya Sands) follow the same rhythm, only more extreme: spend the night there only from November to March. According to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 22 July 2026), road trips to the desert and mountains can be dangerous unless you are in a well-equipped 4-wheel-drive vehicle: travel in convoy if possible, take a supply of water and a mobile or satellite phone, and leave a copy of your travel plans with friends or relatives.
Salalah and Dhofar
The south lives out of season: in Salalah it is 27 to 33 °C (81 to 91 °F) in the afternoon all year, and the khareef monsoon, from June to September, brings drizzle and fog (more than 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain in July and August, with 7 to 8 rainy days a month). The hills turn green and afternoons drop to 27 to 28 °C (81 to 82 °F), which attracts many visitors from the Gulf countries.
Region-by-region summary: the right month depending on the part of the country you are visiting (Dhofar is not covered).
| Month | Muscat and the coast | Nizwa and the interior | Jebel Akhdar (mountains) | Wahiba Sands |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | ✅ Mild and sunny | ✅ Mild, cool nights | ⚠️ Cool, cold nights | ✅ Night in the desert |
| February | ✅ Ideal | ✅ Mild | ⚠️ Cool | ✅ Night in the desert |
| March | ✅ Very good | ✅ Pleasant | ✅ Pleasant | ✅ Night in the desert |
| April | ⚠️ Already hot | ⚠️ Hot (38 °C (100 °F)) | ✅ Pleasant | ❌ Too hot |
| May | ❌ Very hot | ❌ More than 42 °C (108 °F) | ✅ Pleasant | ❌ Too hot |
| June | ❌ Extreme heat | ❌ More than 43 °C (109 °F) | ⚠️ Bearable | ❌ Too hot |
| July | ❌ Heat and humidity | ❌ More than 42 °C (108 °F) | ⚠️ Bearable, thunderstorms possible | ❌ Too hot |
| August | ❌ Hot and humid | ❌ More than 42 °C (108 °F) | ⚠️ Thunderstorms possible | ❌ Too hot |
| September | ❌ Still very hot | ❌ Still 40 °C (104 °F) | ⚠️ Bearable | ❌ Too hot |
| October | ⚠️ More pleasant at the end of the month | ⚠️ Hot (37 °C (99 °F)) | ✅ Pleasant | ❌ Too hot |
| November | ✅ Mildness returns | ✅ Pleasant | ✅ Hiking | ✅ Night in the desert |
| December | ✅ Ideal | ✅ Ideal | ⚠️ Cool, cold nights | ✅ Night in the desert |
✅ favorable conditions, ⚠️ possible with caveats, ❌ best avoided. Summary based on the normals cited on this page and the regional advice above.
When to go to Oman by trip type
| Trip | Best time | Where? |
|---|---|---|
| First trip (classic tour) | November to March | Muscat, Nizwa, Jebel Akhdar, Wahiba, Sur |
| Mountain hiking | October-November, March-April | Jebel Akhdar, Jebel Shams |
| Night in the desert | November to March | Wahiba Sands |
| Swimming and snorkeling | November to April | Muscat coast, Daymaniyat Islands |
| Wadis (Shab, Bani Khalid) | November to March, in dry weather | Sur region, Sharqiya |
| Budget trip | April, October (outside holidays) | Muscat, Nizwa |
| Family trip | School holidays at Christmas and in February | Muscat, Nizwa, Wahiba |
Major events to plan your trip around
| When | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Lunar month, moves about 11 days earlier each year | Ramadan: reduced daytime hours, restaurants closed in the daytime except in hotels | Nationwide |
| End of Ramadan | Eid al-Fitr (public holidays) | Nationwide |
| About 70 days after Eid al-Fitr | Eid al-Adha (public holidays) | Nationwide |
| November | National Day (public holidays, illuminations) | Nationwide, especially Muscat |
| Friday morning | Livestock market | Nizwa souk |
| June to September | Khareef season | Salalah, Dhofar |
Traveling during Ramadan? It is possible. Sites remain open, sometimes with modified hours. According to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 22 July 2026), during Ramadan do not eat, drink, smoke or chew gum in public in the daytime, including in your car.
Oman month by month: what to expect
January: The mildest month: 25 °C (77 °F) in the afternoon in Muscat, 26 °C (79 °F) in Nizwa with nights at 12 °C (54 °F), about 15 °C (59 °F) at Saiq. Ideal for a full tour and a night in the desert.
February: As pleasant as January (26 °C (79 °F) in Muscat). A few showers are possible: check the weather before entering a wadi. High demand during the school holidays.
March: A very good month: 30 °C (86 °F) in Muscat, 32 °C (90 °F) in Nizwa, 20 °C (68 °F) at Saiq. The heat builds at the end of the month in the interior.
April: Hot in the afternoon (35 °C (95 °F) in Muscat, 38 °C (100 °F) in Nizwa), pleasant in the mountains (24 °C (75 °F) at Saiq). Sightsee early in the morning.
May: Start of the great heat: 40 °C (104 °F) in Muscat, 42 °C (108 °F) in Nizwa and 41 °C (106 °F) in Sur. Avoid the desert.
June: The hottest month in the north (40 °C (104 °F) in Muscat, 43.5 °C (110 °F) in Nizwa). The khareef begins in Dhofar.
July: Heat and humidity on the coast (38 °C (100 °F), nights at 30 °C (86 °F)). Only the mountains remain bearable (31 °C (88 °F) at Saiq).
August: Still very hot (36 °C (97 °F) in Muscat, 42 °C (108 °F) in Nizwa). Thunderstorms possible in the Hajar.
September: Still very hot and dry (36 °C (97 °F) in Muscat, 40 °C (104 °F) in Nizwa). End of the khareef in the south.
October: The heat recedes (35 °C (95 °F) in Muscat), the mountains are pleasant (24 °C (75 °F) at Saiq). A good compromise between price and weather at the end of the month.
November: The good season begins: 30 °C (86 °F) in Muscat, 32 °C (90 °F) in Nizwa, cooler nights. National Day falls this month.
December: Ideal (27 °C (81 °F) in Muscat, 28 °C (82 °F) in Nizwa), cool nights in the mountains (6 °C (43 °F) at Saiq). Book early for the year-end holidays.
When to book your trip to Oman
For December to February, and especially for the Christmas and February holidays, book your flights and accommodation 3 to 4 months ahead: hotel supply is limited at Jebel Akhdar, in the desert and in Sur. For April and October, 1 to 2 months is generally enough. In the regional context of 2026, prefer flexible bookings.
Planning your trip to Oman
- Entry requirements: see the entry requirements for Oman in our complete travel guide to Oman.
- Time difference: Oman is UTC+4 all year: 4 hours ahead of London in winter and 3 in summer; 9 hours ahead of New York in winter and 8 in summer.
- Currency: the Omani rial (OMR), divided into 1,000 baisa. Our currency converter helps you estimate your budget.
- Climate: a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water in every season; a fleece for nights in the mountains and the desert in winter.
For more, see our complete travel guide to Oman. Weighing another destination of deserts and forts? See also when to go to Jordan, or our ideas for where to go in January.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Oman?
From November to March. It is then 25 to 30 °C (77 to 86 °F) in the afternoon in Muscat, rain is rare and nights are cool in the interior and the desert. December, January and February are the most pleasant months. Also check the current UK FCDO and U.S. State Department advice before booking.
Can you visit Oman in summer?
It is not advisable for the north of the country: from May to September it is 38 to 44 °C (100 to 111 °F) in the afternoon in Muscat, Nizwa and Sur, with nights around 30 °C (86 °F). Only the Jebel Akhdar plateaus remain bearable. The south (Salalah) is cooled by the monsoon at this time.
What is the khareef?
It is the summer monsoon of Dhofar, in the south of the country, from June to September. It brings drizzle and fog to Salalah, afternoons around 27 °C (81 °F) and green hills.
What is the best month to sleep in the Wahiba Sands desert?
December, January and February, when days are mild and nights cool. November and March are also suitable. Avoid May to September, when the heat makes the desert dangerous.
Is it cold in Oman in winter?
Not on the coast: about 25 °C (77 °F) in the afternoon and 17 °C (63 °F) at night in Muscat in January. Nights are cool in Nizwa (12 °C (54 °F)) and cold in the mountains (about 5 °C (41 °F) at Saiq, on Jebel Akhdar).
Can you travel to Oman right now?
The UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 22 July 2026) says the situation in the Middle East remains unpredictable, with strikes and retaliatory attacks by Iran in several locations in the region, including Oman, since 8 July. The U.S. State Department (travel.state.gov, last updated April 16, 2026) strongly advises U.S. citizens against travel to Yemen and warns that crossing the Yemen-Oman border can be dangerous. Check the current advice before you leave.
What is the weather like in Oman in January and February?
These are two of the best months: in Muscat, the normals give 25.1 °C (77 °F) in the afternoon and 16.7 °C (62 °F) at night in January, 26.4 °C (80 °F) and 17.8 °C (64 °F) in February, with 13 to 14 mm (0.5 to 0.6 in) of rain over the month. A few showers remain possible: avoid wadis if a storm is forecast. It is also high season: book early. See also our ideas for where to go in February.
For a comparable destination in the Gulf, see when to go to Qatar.
Our sources
- World Meteorological Organization, World Weather Information Service: normals for Muscat (Seeb), Salalah, Sur, Nizwa and Saiq supplied by the Directorate General of Meteorology of Oman
- Safety information read on October 26, 2026: UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Oman (GOV.UK, updated 22 July 2026), and U.S. Department of State, Oman country information (travel.state.gov, last updated April 16, 2026)
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.
