Saman Explorer

Boat

Saman Explorer has been operated in Egypt for a few years, it is now relocated to Oman for new adventures. This vessel is operated by the international team of "Extra Divers Fleet", it offer dive liveaboard trips around Oman, the regular trip is around Salalah region where the famous Halaniyat Islands is located.

Saman Explorer is a steel ship measuring 34 meters long and 9 meters wide with all international safety equipment such as Radar, GPS, compass, radio, depth gauge, First Aid kits, Oxygen, life jackets, satellite phone etc.

Onboard, there is a spacious air-conditioned lounge with dining and entertainment facilities on the main deck. Guests will be served with meals three times a day in buffet style, which contiains Omanis food and international cuisines. For underwater video and photography enthusiasts, there are plenty of recharging points/edit playback facilities.

Outside of the indoor lounge, there is a large dive deck located on the back of the main deck, it is spacious and well equipped with individual personal gear storages and an in-place fill station, large rinse tanks and deck level fresh water shower and toilet.

There is a spacious sun deck and a large comfortable fly deck with both a shaded and sun area, as well as a separate area for relaxing in front of the wheel house.

Saman Explorer has a team with international crew of 8 to 9 members consists of experienced staff, English and German speaking dive guides who are ready to welcome you onboard. The last night of the liveaboard trip is usually spend on a 5 star luxury hotel (such as Marriott), halfboard in the hotel is also included by Saman Explorer.

Please note that there is no alcohol provided on board. There are possibilities to purchase the allowed quantity on arrival at Muscats airport. However, at Salalahs airport there is no possibility to buy alcohol yet.

Cabin

Saman Explorer has 11 comfortable morden guest cabins, can accomodate up to 22 guests.

All cabins are equipped with a silent air-conditioning system, reading lamps, charging stations and an en-suite bathroom.

1 Master Cabin :
Located on the main deck, the largest cabin onboard with 20sqm in size. Equipped with a large double bed, window with a great view of the sea as well as desk and mini bar.

4 Deluxe Cabins :
Located on the upper deck, each cabin equipped with two single beds, seaview windows.

6 Standard Cabins :
Located on the lower deck, each cabin equipped with two single beds, large portholes.

Diving

• 3 or 4 dives per day, night dive included.

• Only 2 dives will be provided on the last diving day.

• No dive provided on the day of arrival and departure.

• All diving will provide experienced guide to lead the dive.

Other Information

• Nitrox：Available with additional cost
• 15L Tanks：Available with additional cost
• REBREATHER Dive：Not available at the moment
• Dive Equipment Rental：Available with additional cost
• Dive insurance：Divers must have valid dive insurance
• Wi-Fi Internet ：Not available at the moment.
• Laundry Service：Not available at the moment
• Massage Service：Not available at the moment
• Payment on board：By cash (USD/Euro/OMR)
• Crew Number：8 to 9, include 2 dive guides

Itinerary

Best of Muscat | Daymnaniyat Islands
From Sifah, we will take the highlights of Al Munassir Wreck, Fahal Islands and Kuriyat in the direction of Daymnaniyat Islands! The Saman is, of course, in permanent contact with the resident Extra Divers dive bases and is informed immediately of whale shark sightings to be able to make their way to the sea giants.

Best of Oman | Daymaniyat Islands - Bandar Khayran - Fahal Island - Hallaniyat Islands
This is the transfer trip of the Saman Explorer offers guests on board a complete insight into the diversity of the Sultanate of Oman.

At the beginning of the tour the fabulous dive sites of the region around Muscat are explored (Al Munassir Wreck, Fahal Islands and Kuriyat). Along the coast we head southwards: in 10 days, new and exciting diving spots will be discovered every time! The tour ends with wonderful dives on the famous Halaniayt Islands: humpback whales, pelargic mantaroches and huge dolphin schools are not a rarity here. Also off the coast of Mirbats, the last stop of the crossing, there are beautiful old wrecks and the masses of fish that make Oman a unique destination!

Hallaniyat Islands - Saman Explorer's Regular trip
The Halaniyat Islands in the south of Oman offer the most diversified dive area of ​​the Sultanate! On the same latitude as the Maldives, the islands promise an extraordinary diversity of species and an incredible fish richness! Site loyalty Humpback whales, pelargic mantaroches, huge dolphin schools: the Halaniyats offer With some luck the complete range of what a diver wants underwater! Huge fish schools and some beautiful wrecks round off the experience on the Saman Explorer: A week you should treat yourself to!

Is also known, that the islands can boast a resident population of humpback whales. Look out for this huge giant. Certainly there is much more to discover. Several reefs, large groupers, mantas ... let us surprise you! And maybe you even feel a new wreck, because allegedly there are ships from the fleet of Vasco da Gama have fallen ...

Diving (For Regular Hallaniyat Islands trip)

The Halaniyat Islands in the south of Oman offer the most diversified dive area of ​​the Sultanate! On the same latitude as the Maldives, the islands promise an extraordinary diversity of species and an incredible fish richness! Site loyalty Humpback whales, pelargic mantaroches, huge dolphin schools: the Halaniyats offer with some luck the complete range of what a diver wants to see underwater! Huge fish schools and some beautiful wrecks round off the experience on the Saman Explorer!

The diving area is untouched and yet poorly discovered. You may therefore expect everything. Of course we were already made some exploring dives. Is also known, that the islands can boast a resident population of humpback whales. Look out for this huge giant. Certainly there is much more to discover. Several reefs, large groupers, mantas ... let us surprise you! And maybe you even feel a new wreck, because allegedly there are ships from the fleet of Vasco da Gama have fallen ...

The regular trip around Hallaniyat Islands runnig from Saturday to Saturday. 6 nights are spent on board, our guests will spend the last night at the 5-star hotel in Mirbat, such as : Marriott Hotel.

On Saturday afternoon, the ship departs from the port of Mirbat. The tour takes you first along the coast. From the village of Hasik, the trip to the island group of Hallaniyat are beginning. The first of the islands is reached after 3-4 hours crossing. In the next few days, our guests are going to explore the dive sites around the five islands. There are daily 3-4 dives provided, including night dives.

Disembarkation is on Friday afternoon in the harbor of Mirbat. From here, guests are accommodated at the Marriott Mirbat. On Saturday morning, it goes back to the airport for connecting flight back to home or a extension stay.

Important : The south of Oman is a destination with expedition character. Please note that the region is slowly opening up to tourism. All local agents are working hard to ensure you a smooth process, please do not expect perfection anyway. This is a destination for divers looking for adventure and a lot of pioneering spirit.

Visa

A tourist visa is required when entering Oman. You may log to the following website to purchase an E-Visa ESTA (Apply for Unsponsored Visa). https://evisa.rop.gov.om/voa, It takes 10 minutes to fill in and pay for online and is good for a 30 day stay in Oman. The airlines will want to see the printed and approved ESTA at check-in when flying to Oman.