Ras Al Hadd in Oman happens to be known as the Turtle Beach as sea turtles come to its shores to lay their eggs. After the eggs hatch, you may be able to observe the hatchlings crawling to the ocean too.
History of the beach
Ras Al Hadd Beach also inherits an interesting history, having served as a sanctuary for seafaring vessels during storms. At the time of World War II, fighter planes landed here when seeking shelter as well; the runway marks can still be seen, though today, however, this beach is better known for its sea turtles.
A reserve for turtles
Because numerous sea turtles arrive at this beach to nest, it has been designated as a reserve for these creatures. In fact, as many as 13,000 sea turtle eggs may be deposited at Ras Al Hadd Beach. Many birds can also be seen here making it ideal for bird watching enthusiasts too. A hotel in Sur Oman to consider from which you could plan excursions to this beach would be Sur Plaza Hotel.
Turtles in Oman
Sea turtles in their thousands arrive from the Red Sea, the Arabian Gulf and Somalia to deposit their eggs on Oman’s shores. The most commonly found kind of sea turtle to be spotted at Ras Al Hadd would be the green turtle; however, varieties like the hawksbill, loggerhead and olive ridley can also be seen in Oman.
Nesting behaviour
In the nesting season, the female sea turtles at night manoeuvre themselves from the waters and arduously dig a hollow within the sand to deposit their eggs. After around 55 days, the hatchlings emerge from the eggs and make their way to the sea; the opportunity to view this amazing sight is not to be missed.
