Already attracting more than 34,000 annual (international and local) visitors, the beach of Ras al-Jinz is considered as one of the largest nesting areas for Green Sea turtle - an average of 30,000 nesting turtles.
Ras al-Jinz is located a three hour drive from Muscat in the Ras Al Hadd Nature Reserve at the headland of the Arabian Peninsula.
The management of this eco-tourism project was awarded by the Omani Government to Expeditions International-EMC (EI-EMC) who will oversee the Ras al-Jinz Scientific & Visitor Centre built here. The focus is on turtle conservation, cultural heritage management and involving the local communities while ensuring high standards of tourism services.
This centre was officially handed over to EI-EMC International at the end of October. The establishment of the centre was the result of close collaboration between the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs and the Oman Liquefied Natural Gas Company (Oman-LNG). This public-private partnership is a milestone for nature conservation and socio-economic development in the region and considered as a best practice in corporate social responsibility.
Accommodation within the turtle sanctuary is available in the Carapace Lodge, which offers 12 rooms and includes personalised services. Guests also benefit from the Sambuk restaurant, which has international and oriental cuisine and a large terrace area outside.
The centre also offers ‘nomadic dining’ options, enabling corporate groups or tour operators to request outdoor catering or picnics for their visitors in the scenic surrounding desert, beach or wadi landscapes.
The visitor centre features an interactive Sea Turtle and Archaeology Museum and a 3D theatre designed as a half dome, present the area’s archeology and displaying the life of sea turtles and the sea (planned for end of 2009).
Conference facilities and a library are also available onsite for groups of up to 40 people. Professional eco-guides have been trained to escort visitors on turtle watching trips in limited sized groups (10 to 15 maximum per group), especially during the high season between June and September where the nesting is at its peak. Groups depart for the nesting sites at different times during the night.
In addition to turtles, the Ras al-Jinz area also contains some of the most important archaeological sites in Oman, featuring ancient fishermen’s cottages and tools. The remains of the earliest known buildings, and the oldest incense burner and wooden boat, were all discovered here.
For booking contact reservations@rasaljinz.org or telephone +968 96 55 06 06/07