Six Senses Zighy Bay is set in a secluded fishing village on the Northern Musandam Peninsular of Oman. With mountains on one side and the sandy beach of Zighy Bay on the other it is the perfect setting for a relaxing holiday all year round and is within easy reach of the UK. However, as I discovered, there is far more to Zighy Bay than the amazing pool villas, fabulous restaurants, wonderful staff and beautiful beach.
The traditional way to arrive at the resort is in an air-conditioned 4×4 vehicle. However for adventure lovers why not arrive James Bond style and paraglide your way down the last mountain to land on the beach. I thought it would be rude not to try it and wow…what an experience! The views were absolutely incredible and It was so peaceful being up in the air watching the world go by. In fact, to my surprise, it was actually really rather relaxing (once I had taken off and I was over my initial “why am I doing this” thoughts!) I thoroughly enjoyed every moment and could have spent hours in the air taking everything in. What a fabulous way to start my holiday.
After this adrenaline fuelled start I thought it best to try out some of the more relaxing activities and the spa seemed like a great place to start. There is a huge array of treatments available with something to suit everyone. My Swedish massage was one of the best I have ever had. An early morning yoga session is a great way to start the day too. There is even a personal trainer at the gym for those wishing to counteract the fabulous food and cocktails you will sample during your stay.
The next day I enjoyed a leisurely cruise in a traditional dhow boat along the fjords of Musandam. The scenery is breathtaking and we stopped off along the way for a spot of snorkelling. The water was so clear (and warm) making it easy to spot many different species of fish as well as some very pretty corals. It was a real highlight. After a delicious lunch you can enjoy kayaking in the calm waters and try a spot of line fishing too. And don’t forget to keep an eye out for the lucky dolphins who call this place home. The sunset cruise is the best time to spot them.
For the more active there are some energetic hikes to enjoy through the mountains with just your guide (and a goat or two) for company. You can mountain bike as well; the downhill only option appealed to me! It is also the perfect location for rock climbing. As it was very hot I decided to stick with the water sports and enjoyed a spot of water skiing and tubing…which was great fun! I’ve saved the wake boarding and diving for next time.
For those preferring land based activities there is a choice of volleyball, tennis and even archery. There are also cultural visits and local villages to explore where you can learn about the history of the region. Food lovers can enjoy a cooking lesson or two using the wonderfully fresh herbs and vegetables from the organic garden. If you are travelling with children then there is also a kids’ club on offer with lots of fun and educational activities included.
After a busy day then Cinema Paradiso is the ideal place to unwind of an evening. It is set on the beach under the stars with popcorn and ice-cream on hand…the only difficulty I had was staying awake after my action packed day!
Oh and did I mention you can take a microlight ride from the beach? Now that is definitely on the list for my next visit!
