Wadi Bani Khalid and Wadi Shab

The wadis are Oman's green face among the rocks: natural turquoise pools set between rocky mountains and palm groves, with water all year round.

Wadi Bani Khalid in the Sharqiya is the easiest: a short path from the car park leads to wide, clear pools with shady places to sit, so it suits families and children. It is about two and a half hours from Muscat and an hour from the Wahiba Sands.

Wadi Shab, near Tiwi on the coast road to Sur, is a longer outing: a small boat crosses the river, then a walk of about 45 minutes between high rock walls leads to the pools, and strong swimmers can reach a cave with a small waterfall.

Go in the morning on a weekday, with modest swimwear and water shoes. We avoid the wadis after heavy rain, when flash floods can run.