The sea temperature at Salalah (Al Mughsayl) today is 29 °C (84 °F) – water as warm as a bath. The usual October average is 26.5 °C. The forecast for the next 3 days is 28.8 to 29.1 °C. Over the last 30 days the sea has warmed from 26.7 °C to 29 °C. Swimmable all year – the sea averages 23 °C or more in every month. Source: Sea Temp Map (seatempmap.com) – NASA MUR satellite data and the Copernicus Marine sea forecast.
| Month | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24.2°C / 75.6°F | 24.7°C / 76.4°F | 25.2°C / 77.4°F |
| February | 24.4°C / 75.9°F | 24.8°C / 76.6°F | 25.4°C / 77.8°F |
| March | 25.9°C / 78.5°F | 26.4°C / 79.6°F | 27.1°C / 80.7°F |
| April | 27.3°C / 81.2°F | 27.8°C / 82.1°F | 28.2°C / 82.8°F |
| May | 27.9°C / 82.2°F | 28.6°C / 83.4°F | 29.7°C / 85.4°F |
| June | 26.1°C / 79.0°F | 27.5°C / 81.4°F | 28.8°C / 83.9°F |
| July | 24.1°C / 75.3°F | 24.6°C / 76.3°F | 25.0°C / 77.0°F |
| August | 22.8°C / 73.1°F | 23.7°C / 74.6°F | 24.7°C / 76.4°F |
| September | 24.5°C / 76.1°F | 25.0°C / 77.0°F | 25.3°C / 77.6°F |
| October | 26.2°C / 79.1°F | 26.5°C / 79.7°F | 27.0°C / 80.5°F |
| November | 26.6°C / 79.8°F | 27.1°C / 80.8°F | 27.6°C / 81.8°F |
| December | 25.1°C / 77.3°F | 25.6°C / 78.1°F | 25.9°C / 78.7°F |
| Month | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16.7°C / 62.0°F | 20.2°C / 68.3°F | 24.4°C / 76.0°F |
| February | 17.8°C / 64.1°F | 21.5°C / 70.7°F | 25.6°C / 78.0°F |
| March | 20.7°C / 69.3°F | 24.1°C / 75.4°F | 27.6°C / 81.8°F |
| April | 23.0°C / 73.4°F | 26.1°C / 79.0°F | 29.1°C / 84.4°F |
| May | 24.8°C / 76.6°F | 27.9°C / 82.3°F | 31.1°C / 87.9°F |
| June | 25.0°C / 76.9°F | 27.6°C / 81.6°F | 30.5°C / 86.8°F |
| July | 23.3°C / 73.9°F | 25.0°C / 76.9°F | 27.1°C / 80.8°F |
| August | 22.5°C / 72.5°F | 24.3°C / 75.7°F | 26.5°C / 79.7°F |
| September | 23.3°C / 73.9°F | 25.7°C / 78.3°F | 28.4°C / 83.0°F |
| October | 21.8°C / 71.3°F | 25.0°C / 76.9°F | 27.9°C / 82.2°F |
| November | 20.0°C / 68.0°F | 23.7°C / 74.6°F | 27.3°C / 81.1°F |
| December | 17.5°C / 63.5°F | 20.9°C / 69.7°F | 25.0°C / 76.9°F |
5-year averages (2021–2025). Min/Max are typical daily lows and highs, not record extremes. (Copernicus ERA5)
Al Mughsayl holidays
Al Mughsayl is a beach village in Dhofar, about 40 km west of Salalah in southern Oman, where a long, wide beach meets the limestone cliffs of the Dhofar mountains. At its western end, the sea has worn blowholes into the limestone around Marneef Cave, and on days with swell the waves shoot jets of spray up through the rock.
Beaches
Al Mughsayl beach stretches for several kilometres of pale sand, with picnic shelters along it and the lagoon of Khor Mughsayl close by. The open Arabian Sea brings surf and strong currents that can make swimming dangerous: avoid swimming during the khareef and follow local warnings at other times. The lagoon attracts herons, flamingos and other water birds, especially outside the summer. Further west, beyond the zig-zag mountain road, lie small coves such as Fazayah; check the unpaved access road before driving down and bring your own supplies.
Things to do
The blowholes and Marneef Cave have a viewing platform and railings, and are most active when the swell is high. Salalah has the Al Baleed Archaeological Park, part of the UNESCO-listed Land of Frankincense, with the Museum of the Frankincense Land, and the old souq where frankincense is sold. East of the city, Wadi Darbat has waterfalls and green valleys during the monsoon season, and the drive west from Al Mughsayl climbs a spectacular winding road towards the Yemeni border.
Weather and best time to visit
At Al Mughsayl the sea stays above 23 °C / 73 °F all year, even in the coolest month.
Dhofar has its own season, the khareef: from about late June to early September, the south-west monsoon brings mist, drizzle and cooler air, the hills turn green and visitors from the Gulf arrive in large numbers, but the sea at Al Mughsayl is rough and red flags are common. From about October to April the weather is sunny and dry and the sea calmer, which is the better time for the beach.
Hotels and where to stay
Al Mughsayl has only a few simple places to stay and rest houses; most visitors stay in Salalah, where resorts line the beaches east and west of the city, and drive out for the day.
Signature hotels: Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara
Airport and getting there
Salalah Airport (SLL) has flights from Muscat, other Gulf cities and some seasonal routes from further afield; the drive to Al Mughsayl takes about 40 to 50 minutes along the coast road. A rental car, taxi or organised excursion is the practical way to visit Al Mughsayl from Salalah. Check current entry rules, including Oman's e-visa where it applies, before travelling.