Dive the Musandam Peninsula

ZIGHY BAY IS INCLUDED IN OUR BOOK, DIVE IN STYLE

Tucked up in the top of what is effectively Oman part 2, this resort boasts an innovative means of arrival, your first sight of your new temporary home possibly being from about 1,000 ft. Strapped to Itsu, the local paragliding champion, you float serenely down to the perfect white-sand beach of this desolate bay (optional of course, you can also enter by jeep or boat). It may be a wrench from the immaculate 4 x 4 that has cosseted you during the two-hour ride from Dubai, but we strongly suggest you find the energy as not only is it the most novel way to check in anywhere, but also the best.

The rugged Hajar Mountains lie to the rear and there is a broad sandy beach in front of the hotel. The private pool villas each have their own infinity-edged pool, direct beach access, sundeck, shaded day-bed, personal wine cellar and a 24hr personal butler.

Guests are provided with bicycles for getting around the resort. At one end of the bay is a private marina offering all kinds of watersports, including scuba diving, kayaking, wind-surfing, water-skiing, wake-boarding and sailing. There is also good snorkelling right off the beach.

The Six Senses Spa offers a full range of relaxing treatments, two Arabian hammams, sauna, steam and ice rooms and a gym.

Dining alternatives include a modern brasserie, a seafood restaurant, poolside service around the large central swimming pool, and the most incredible restaurant setting you can imagine, the appropriately named ‘Sense on the Edge’ with stunning views over the bay, as well as a variety of private dining options on request. There are also two bars serving cocktails and tapas.

The Musandam Peninsula is known as the ‘Norway of Arabia’ with ‘fjords’ and dramatic pink-skinned cliffs dropping vertically into the sea. There are no barrier reefs here. Instead you dive mostly under the towering cliffs that plunge almost vertically into the depths.

What really sets this diving apart from the Red Sea is that no one else is in the water within miles – you are out here alone and again that just adds so much to the experience. Given the choice of the now overcrowded northern Red Sea or the Musandam peninsula, while the Red Sea definitely offers more variety and colourful reefs, this is a totally overlooked corner of effectively private diving nirvana; also with guaranteed sunshine.