Al Areen (Bahrain) and Sharqiya Sands (Oman) are often weighed against each other. This comparison uses seasons, activities and access to help you choose.
| Al Areen | Sharqiya Sands | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Bahrain | Oman |
| Type | Reserve | Desert |
| Best time | December to February | December to February |
| Suggested stay | 1 days | 1–2 days |
| Main gateway airport | Bahrain International Airport (BAH) | Muscat International Airport (MCT) |
| Malaria | None | None |
| Approx. area | — | 12,500 km² |
| Families | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Honeymooners | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Photographers | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| First-time visitors | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Budget travellers | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Luxury travellers | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Month by month
| Month | Al Areen | Sharqiya Sands |
|---|---|---|
| January | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| February | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| March | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| April | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| May | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| June | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| July | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| August | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| September | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| October | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| November | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| December | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
How to choose
Choose Al Areen if
- you are travelling in May
- you want game drives and birdwatching
- you hope to see oryx and gazelles
Choose Sharqiya Sands if
- you want dune bashing, camel rides, sandboarding, quad biking and hot-air balloon flights
- you hope to see camels and foxes
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Al Areen or Sharqiya Sands?
It depends on when you travel and what you want to see. Al Areen is stronger in May.
When is the best time for each?
Al Areen: December to February. Sharqiya Sands: December to February.
Sources: Wikipedia – Al Areen Wildlife Park · Gulf News – Al Areen Reserve renamed after Sheikh Mohamed · Weather Spark – Manama climate · Experience Oman – A'Sharqiyah Sands · Wikipedia – Wahiba Sands · oman.de – Wahiba Sands · Weather Spark – Badiyah (Bidiyah) climate
Figures are approximate averages and vary from year to year.