Al Marmoom (United Arab Emirates) and Sharqiya Sands (Oman) are often weighed against each other. This comparison uses seasons, activities and access to help you choose.
| Al Marmoom | Sharqiya Sands | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United Arab Emirates | Oman |
| Type | Reserve | Desert |
| Approx. area | 949 km² | 12,500 km² |
| Best time | December to February | December to February |
| Suggested stay | 1 days | 1–2 days |
| Main gateway airport | Dubai International Airport (DXB) | Muscat International Airport (MCT) |
| Malaria | None | None |
| Families | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Honeymooners | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Photographers | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| First-time visitors | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Budget travellers | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Luxury travellers | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Month by month
| Month | Al Marmoom | 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 Marmoom if
- you are travelling in May
- you want birdwatching
- you hope to see oryx, gazelles and flamingos
Choose Sharqiya Sands if
- you want dune bashing, camel rides, sandboarding, quad biking and hot-air balloon flights
- you hope to see camels
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Al Marmoom or Sharqiya Sands?
It depends on when you travel and what you want to see. Al Marmoom is stronger in May.
When is the best time for each?
Al Marmoom: December to February. Sharqiya Sands: December to February.
Sources: Visit Dubai – Al Marmoom Reserve · Dubai Municipality – Dubai protected areas · Weather Spark – Al Ain climate (inland UAE reference) · Weather Spark – Dubai 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.