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Official Oman tourism context for Bandar Khayran diving and operator support.
Dive Spot Guide•
Cockle Shell Bay
Cockle Shell Bay is Muscat's gorgonian drift wall for advanced divers.
Local operator required
Boat timing, drift control and SMB use make guided diving the normal way to run the site.
Use it as a boat drift in Bandar Khayran: the wall, gorgonians and pelagics sit in moving water, and the best windows are the calmer current months.
About Cockle Shell Bay
Cockle Shell Bay is a boat-accessed drift wall in Bandar Khayran near Muscat, where the reef drops away from a sheltered bay into a stronger-flow outer wall. It suits experienced divers who want a current-led route with green gorgonians, coral growth, and seasonal pelagics rather than a calm bay dive. Plan it as a guided left-shoulder drift with an SMB and good control in moving water.
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Research Estimate At Cockle Shell Bay
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
VisibilityVisibility: 20m
AccessModerate entry effort
CoralMixed health
Aquatic LifeExceptional variety
FacilitiesBasic facilities
Crowd / PopularityFew visitors
CurrentVery strong current
Where Is Cockle Shell Bay?
This spotNearby spotsExplore nearby spots on the map
Community sourced coordinates.
Cockle Shell Bay Planning Details
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
8m - 24m
Depth Note
The wall drops from 8 to 24 m, with the gorgonian forest strongest around 22-24 m.
Best Season
October to April for the strongest, most reliable drift and gorgonian display; summer brings whale-shark chances and lighter flow.
Typical Conditions
Strong current and a vertical wall are the ordinary conditions here.
Safety & Access At Cockle Shell Bay
Hazards, restrictions, and access requirements.
Key Hazards
Restricted accessStrong current
Safety Notes
Deploy your SMB immediately and stay aware of the current; the wall is best handled as a guided drift.
Access Restrictions
Boat access only; advanced certification and drift control are expected.
Legal Notes
No special permit is indicated; standard operator-led boat diving applies.
Local Intel For Cockle Shell Bay
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
A left-shoulder drift along a vertical wall with green gorgonians, best for advanced scuba divers.
Freediving
Not a freedive site; the current-driven wall is better as a guided scuba drift.
Snorkeling
Not a casual snorkel site; depth and current favor scuba.
Wildlife at Cockle Shell Bay
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Recent Logged Visits At Cockle Shell Bay
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Dive Spot Log Averages At Cockle Shell Bay
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Conditions
Avg. Visibility20m
Activity
No dive activity logged yet.
