Wadi Darbat Salalah (The Darbat Valley) is one of the most beautiful and scenic spots for nature lovers in the Dhofar Region of the Sultanate of Oman. Surrounded by lush greenery, waterfalls, and wildlife, this breathtaking valley offers everything you need for a memorable family day — from peaceful boat rides and picnics to hiking trails and photo-worthy viewpoints.

A visit to Salalah is truly incomplete without experiencing Wadi Darbat, which is why it stands out as one of the most visited and iconic destinations in Salalah. Whether you’re visiting during the Khareef (monsoon) season or in the cooler winter months, Wadi Darbat never fails to impress.

This post will cover everything you can do in Wadi Darbat Salalah.

Another must see place in Salalah is Mughsayl Beach and the natural geysers there.

Sometimes this place is also spelled as Derbet or Dharbat.

Where is Wadi Darbat?

TTechnically, Wadi Darbat is located in the Wilayah of Taqah, within the Dhofar Governorate (you can learn more about Dhofar in this post). However, since Salalah is the largest and most well-known city nearby, many tourists refer to it as Wadi Darbat Salalah for convenience.

For those unfamiliar with the geography, Taqah lies to the east of Salalah, along the beautiful coastal highway. It’s a small but charming town, and the gateway to several natural attractions — with Wadi Darbat being the crown jewel.

Some travelers also refer to this natural wonder as Wadi Darbat Oman, simply because it’s one of the most iconic wadis in the country. Whatever name you choose — Wadi Darbat Salalah, Wadi Darbat Oman, or just Darbat — this breathtaking destination is a must-visit during your trip to southern Oman.

Book Tours With Beautiful Salalah Tours

Comfort and Convenience: We ensure a comfortable and engaging experience, from your transportation to your accommodations in the desert.

Top-Rated Tour Operator: As the #1 rated tour operator in Salalah, we have the highest number of 5-star reviews on Google and TripAdvisor, ensuring a high-quality tour experience.

Award-Winning Service: We are proud recipients of the Travelers’ Choice Award for 2023 and 2024, reflecting our commitment to excellence in tourism.

Family-Run Business: Since 2016, our family-run business has focused on providing authentic and personalized experiences for our guests.

Expert Guides: Our knowledgeable guides will enrich your journey with insights into the desert’s unique ecosystems, Bedouin culture, and the history of the Empty Quarter.

The Darbat Valley Tour is known as East Salalah Tour and it covers magical journey to the Eastern side of Dhofar. The tour is a mix of nature, history and experience of the local life.

E-Mail: info@beautifulsalalah.com

Whatsapp/Contact: +96891353647

Following are booking options for the tour:

Book Guided Tour for this valley on TripAdvisor

Book Darbat Valley Tour via whatsapp

Things to Do at Wadi Darbat

Darbat valley offers many things to do, some of the activities are mentioned below. Further Reading: More Things to Do in Wadi Darbat

1. Hike / Trek at the Trails in Wadi Darbat

The valley is in its pristine condition. The trees and the lake makes the valley (wadi) looks amazing. Occasionally you can see camels, cows and other animals passing by, grazing on the natural grass and plantation.

You can trek across the wadi and the plains, while enjoying the nature at its best.

There are two amazing waterfalls at Wadi Darbat, which are seasonal. During Khareef of 2018 and 2019, the beautiful waterfall captivated the attention of the visitors, which was following from the wadi to the basin.

The second waterfall is the cascade waterfall at Wadi Darbat, which continued from May 2018 non-stop till the next khareef season. This waterfall was created after Mekunu cyclone.

Before visiting Wadi Darbat, check if the waterfalls are there.

3. Wadi Darbat Boating in the Canal

The spring is at the end of the road leading to the Valley. This is the biggest lake in Salalah and is wet all year round. But in Khareef, the lake is surrounded by green mountains and cloudy weather, which makes boat ride on this lake irresistible.

Various types of boats are available to choose from and explore the clean lake of the Wadi.

One is power boat which has a capacity of more than 2 people and its driven by the motor. One guy will be there to maneuver it. This will cost around OMR 5 for a round of the lake.

Paddle boats are available for ride of 2 persons. This will cost OMR 3 for a ride of 30 minutes. Wear Joggers for paddle boat, as it will be very comfortable and make paddling easy.

You must wear safety vest during the ride. This vest will be provided by the boating company.

There is a separate Barricaded area exclusively for kids for their safety.

4. Eating at Wadi Darbat

There are several restaurants and huts that sell food, fruits, sweet corns, pop corns and other refreshments. You can also bring eatable items from home or any other commercial market on the way.

5. Make a Barbecue

There is no other better place to have barbecue in the region other than Wadi Darbat. The place is leveled and you can easily place the BBQ grill. The view is great and you will enjoy barbecue making a lot.

6. Wadi Darbat Picnic Area

Before the lake there is a wide area for the picnickers to sit and enjoy the beauty of the nature. The kids can play or fly kites while adults prepare delicious barbecue. Take a mat or chairs with you for comfortable sitting.

How the Wadi Looks without Khareef?

Wadi Darbat Salalah is a year round destination and a must visit when you are in Salalah. The wadi looks amazing even without Khareef. Some part of the lake remains throughout the year, and is replenished every Khareef during rain time. Just for clarity, all above photographs are captured in Khareef season.

Wadi Darbat in November, December and Janurary

The following photographs captured in November (non-khareef time) shows the beauty of the wadi.

Wadi Darbat in February, March, April

Wadi is as beautiful as follows in the month of February. Lake is still present. The greenery is somehow present in some areas.

Location of Wadi Darbat Waterfall and Boating Area

The wadi is located in Taqa Wilayat of Dhofar Region and is on the Al-Qara Mountains (Jabal Qara). It is located on the left side on the road to Tawi Attir.