Bar al Hikman — Local services in Al Wusta Governorate

KITESURF & NATURE PARADISE Date: June 25 - Jul 1, 2023 Rideable days: 6 out of 6 Wind:  always 20 knots and plus Air temp: Around 25-28˚C Water temp: Around 25˚C WOULD WE REPEAT? YEAH! FOR SURE

Bar Al Hikman is a hidden gem. It is a long isthmus of sand that comes out of the mainland and ends in the Arabian sea, and right where it ends, there we stay. A breathtaking landscape of white sand, mangroves and green-turquoise water. Actually is a a natural habitat for fish, wales, turtles, and birds.

Apart from its natural-astonishing beauty we can confirm that it is a KITESURF PARADISE. The season runs from mid-June to mid-Sept, July and Aug being especially good with winds that can exceed 30 knts. In our case we were enjoying between 20 - 25 knts. The wind usually starts at noon and doesn't stop until sunset, around 7.

Kiting is amazing with 2 options: open sea & lagoon. You usually start in the open sea, as the tide in the lagoon is still low. Small waves, not aggressive, and those who want to enjoy more action can move away to the breakwater. The sea is quite safe, the current always takes you ashore, shallow water in quite a distance, and there is not, at least during our week, any sense of danger. During your session, scores of turtles will greet you by sticking out their heads and as you approach, they quickly return to the bottom.

As the sun goes down, the sea becomes rougher as the lagoon fills up, so we change scenery, even from the water since they are connected. The lagoon is a marvelous shallow water, very flat, perfect for practicing your tricks. And so, all the time, until the sun sets.

GETTING THERE (from Dubai) Our route was through Al Ain border until Nizwa were we spent the night. From Dubai to Nizwa including 30-40 min time in the border was around 4 hours and a half. From Nizwa until the end of the isthmus would be another 4 and a half hours. VERY IMPORTANT: the last 30-40 minutes of driving are only possible with a suitable 4x4. It is an offroad road, difficult to locate since there is no connection, and the land can be wet and strewn with mud. We recommend to use offline GPS, or to arrange the pick up with accommodation team that for a fair rate they will guide you until your final destination. You can also do the trip in one go, which will take you about 10 hours.

ACCOMODATION At the same time it is the 'best and worst' side of the spot. For me it is the most fun and charming part of the place, but you can only enjoy it if you manage to "change your mind" and adapt to the reality of being in the middle of nowhere, in a unique and magical place, where basic comforts at that we are used to, let's say, that they are different.

We made the reservation through Paris, MD of ‘Khareef Kiteboarding’. IMPORTANT: the kitesurf school does NOT manage the accommodation, you can book through them, but they are not responsible for the service or maintenance of the same.

OPTIONS AND SHARED AREAS: Main House AED 350 full board pp Bedouin tents AED 250 full board pp Bed in shared room in the main house (wooden cabin). PROS, no sand, CONS, you are in the common area where everyone gather. Shared Bedouin tent PROS, You are in the middle of nature. CONS, you learn to live with sand all the time. Shared bathrooms: requires major improvement. The showers may be ok, but the bathrooms need a lot more cleaning, and ideally one or two more. Food: This is another part to improve. The chef is lovely but he clearly needed some help to be able to serve a group of around 30 people. Expect basic menus with rice, pasta, chicken and eggs. We recommend taking small bites. In our case we brought a grill and meat, which tasted delicious when we prepared it.

You have to be very clear that you are in the middle of nowhere with no internet connection, and no supermarkets around, but in exchange you are surrounded by pure nature, fresh air, and a spot with perfect conditions for kiting. This, above any 'cons' makes the experience wonderful and you want to return without hesitation.

KiteGirls...

🛑🛑 BAR- AL- HIKMAN : geology and prehistory Barr Al Hikman is one of the most prominent coastal wetland regions in the Middle East, having a coastline of over 160 km bordered by an inland sabkha . Hikman is the name of the local bani hikman tribe who live in  mahout. About 120 square kilometres of its area is characterized by intertidal mudflats, shallow seas, and five tidal inlets. Moreover, Bar Al Hikman remains a pristine coastal area with minimal human intervention, which allows for natural hydrodynamic and sedimentary processes. It also has extensive seagrass beds that have vanished from other intertidal areas globally. Pink lake - salt loving bacteria called HALO BACTERIA or ARCHAE bacteria  form pink lakes .These bacteria love  warm salty  water .These pink lakes also contain green algae that feed on salt. ( eukaryotic algae are not the same as prokaryotic cyanobacteria). A large shallow bay called Ghubbat Hashish lies adjacently to the west of bar al hikman. It is home to mangrove fringed  island called Jazeerat Mahout and the most extensive seagrass beds in Oman. To the east of the peninsula and south of Shannah, the Site's boundary consists of intertidal mudflats and few reef structures located near the water's surface. On the southern coast of the peninsula, there are sandy lagoons (Khawr Al Milh) such as characterized by dense stands of Salicornia spp. and approximately 10 km2 of sandy mudflats that extend along the shoreline. Sabkha : The vastness and magnanimosity  of the flat terrain of Bar al Hikman can be experienced on the drive all the way to its south where our camp was located. There is a vast territory of uninhabited desert landscape, sand dunes and salt SABKHA’s on either side. It tests your patience and driving skills both. SABKHA is an Arabic word meaning layered salt encrusted mud flat surface found in areas of arid climatic conditions. Sabkha is a coastal, supratidal mudflat or sandflat in which evaporite-saline minerals accumulate as the result of semiarid to arid climate. Scientifically speaking Sabkhas are subsurface capillary zones formed in extreme arid or high temperature interior or coastal zones with extensive deposits or crusts of salts[gypsum and halite or rock salt]  which has precipitated due to subsurface water over period of millions of years. The floor of a sabkha is made up of hard packed combination of sand, mud and precipitated dry salt. Vast SABKHA planes are found throughout the Arabian peninsula in Oman, UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The dredging of the coastal sabkha of ancient shallow Dubai port carried out in early 20th century by the rulers of Dubai changed the fate of Dubai forever, transforming  it from a small pearl fishing  town to a world class city with an international harbour for trade and business. The drivable dry flat  Sabkhas  rapidly turn into a drivers nightmare when they get converted into a dangerous sticky muddy water logged mixture after rains,   in which vehicles including battle tanks get stuck. This is what happened to the Nazis’s when their TIGER  tanks got stuck in the water logged muddy sabkhas of north Africa during the battle of AL-ALAMEN in Tunisia against the British in 1942. Bar al Hikman comes under the Ramsar protected site. Ramsar site is a wetland site designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar Convention ( Iran)  also known as "The Convention on Wetlands", an international environmental treaty signed on 2 February 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, under the auspices of UNESCO. It came into force on 21 December 1975, when it was ratified by a sufficient number of nations. It provides for national action and international cooperation regarding the conservation of wetlands, and wise sustainable use of their resources. Ramsar treaty participants meet regularly to identify and agree to protect "Wetlands of International Importance", especially those providing waterfowl habitat."  Unfortunately we saw lot of plastic waste at...

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Bar Al Hikman, and it was an experience like no other! The stunning white sand and crystal-clear waters were the first things that caught my eye. It felt like stepping into a hidden paradise, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

The water was incredibly refreshing, perfect for cooling off in the hot sun. I spent hours just soaking in the beauty and serenity of the place. The scenery was breathtaking, with the pristine beach stretching out as far as the eye could see, and the calm, turquoise waters inviting you to take a dip.

But Bar Al Hikman offers more than just picturesque views. The area is a haven for birdwatchers, with countless migratory birds making a stopover. Watching these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat was an unexpected delight. For those who love marine life, the rich biodiversity in the waters around Bar Al Hikman is a treasure trove waiting to be explored. Snorkeling and diving here are a must!

And let’s not forget the breathtaking sunsets. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the sky was painted with shades of pink, orange, and purple, creating a mesmerizing backdrop that was the perfect end to a perfect day.

If you're looking for a place that combines tranquility, natural beauty, and a touch of adventure, Bar Al Hikman is definitely...