Bimmah Sinkhole Oman
Being one of the most beautiful natural pools in the world, Bimmah Sinkhole also known as Hawiyat Najm Park is a sinkhole filled with water about 200 meters inland.
It is the perfect place for visitors who lookout for a perfect postcard material to add to your list of picturesque places to visit.
Location: Bimmah Sinkhole is located on the north east coast of Muscat Governorate in the Sultanate of Oman, in the Dabab area of Wilayat Qurayyat.
How to Get There: You can reach the sinkhole in about 1.5 hours from Muscat, the sinkhole is very close to Al Sharqiyah region just off the highway to Sur, a few kilometers before Tiwi.
Opening Hours: The place is open from 8 am to 8 pm
Best Time to Visit: It is recommended to reach the park early in the morning at 8 am to avoid all the crowds and enjoy the beautiful scenery, taking nice photos.
How Bimmah Sinkhole was created
Generally speaking, sinkholes are created as a result of groundwater eating away rocks like limestone and carbonate. The caverns form from the rocks’ dissolution. Eventually the ground above caves in.
Hawiyat Najm is believed to exist as a result of a meteorite that hit the ground (which translates to falling star).
Due to natural limestone erosion, the locals believe that a meteor fell on this spot of land, resulting in the natural depression and forming a small lake, so their name refers to that belief.
The local municipality developed the park, around it and along with a stairway leading down to the lake.
Hawiyat Najm Park
Bimmah Sinkhole is surrounded by Hawaiyat Najm Park. With numerous covered pavilions and picnic tables, a toilet, rubbish bins, paved walking paths, and a playground, the land is well maintained.
To access the sinkhole from the park, there is an installed set of steps that lead from the park giving to the Sinkhole.
Why to Visit Bimmah Sinkhole
1- Being a Natural Phenomenon
The sinkhole, which is about 600 m away from the sea, contains fresh water mixed with sea water giving it a turquoise color.
Being connected to the ocean through a small underground tunnel, makes its water taste fresh but salty at times.
2- An Exciting Stop for Divers
Sinkhole pool is just about 20 metres deep, making it an exciting stop for diving enthusiasts. If you are a novice swimmer, so stay away from the deep end and stick to swimming in shallow waters.
People can go swimming there with little fish that are known to nibble people’s toes in a non harmful way, or hang around the park and have a barbecue.
3- The Nearby Attraction
The spot is located nearby some of the most visited attractions. There’s the famous Wadi Shab, Tiwi and Wadi Al Arbeieen, to name a few.