Note: This article pertaining to Hawiyat Najim Park: Bimmah Sinkhole in Oman was originally published on Wednesday, August 19, 2015 at 4:34 in the afternoon and has been updated.
Although not all that difficult, one would think that finding Hawiyat Najim Park — which is the location of the Dabab Sinkhole or Bimmah Sinkhole, located 113 kilometers southeast of Muscat in Dabab Village — would have been much easier than it really was; but a giant sinkhole can hide itself rather well.
Hawiyat Najim Park: Bimmah Sinkhole in Oman
The sinkhole was located between the highway and the Gulf of Oman; so there really was not very many places for it to hide; and although the signage on Highway 17 was rather clear, the exit dropped me off on this nondescript road in what seemed like the middle of nowhere — and it was at this point where an additional sign or two would have been helpful.
Regardless, I found the place anyway on this lone short road, pulled into the parking lot, parked the rental car, and walked up to the gate thinking that this place must be closed; because when I strolled up to the gate, it was locked and no one seemed to be around. After a couple of minutes, an older man dressed in a traditional thobe appeared from a small shack near the fence and slowly walked up to the gate to unlock it and allow me access without saying a single word.
Even past the gate, you would not think that there was a sinkhole nearby. Rather, it appeared to be like a typical park — nicely but sparsely landscaped with walkways which seemed to take you nowhere except for views of the Gulf of Oman and the nearby mountains from slightly different angles…
…and then, it suddenly appeared: the sinkhole was surrounded by a stone wall, with a long staircase for visitors to descend into it.
This lake of turquoise waters is 50 meters by 70 meters wide and approximately 20 meters deep. Bimmah Sinkhole is only approximately 600 meters away from the Gulf of Oman, between the coastal towns of Ḑibāb and Bamah, which is known in English as Bimmah.
I walked down the staircase — some of the stairs are somewhat uneven, so watch out — to view the sinkhole up close.
The photographs do not do the colors justice: the rich emerald green of the water; the deep azure blue of the sky; the beiges and reds of the craggy exposed rock showing layers of the earth.
Hawiyat Najim is Arabic for falling star; and one of the stories by the local people explaining the origin of the sinkhole is that a falling star — or, more accurately, a meteorite — impacted this location and caused the hole.
According to a sign located near the sinkhole, scientific research conducted by experts and geologists refute that story, confirming that the crater was actually formed as a natural consequence of the interaction of dissolving limestone — containing calcium carbonate with water — which resulted in the collapse of the upper crust layer of the earth.
Despite that scientific research, the actual cause and process of the formation of the sinkhole is still considered a mystery of sorts.
The quiet was intense within the sinkhole — save for an occasional echoing sound of trickling water.
I did not witness anyone doing so; but I do believe that swimming in the sinkhole is permitted — at least, no indication was given that swimming was not allowed. I was not wearing swimwear at the time that I visited Bimmah Sinkhole.
The water certainly looked inviting…
…especially with the surrounding rock reflecting from it.
Most of the time, I was the only person at the sinkhole — simply admiring the natural beauty of it.
As with other trip reports written by me which contain plenty of photographs…
…choosing which photographs to use for this article was difficult for me.
The water is supposedly a mix of fresh water and sea water.
Even though the February morning started off relatively cool, I could feel the temperature increasing significantly…
…due to the strong hot Omani morning sun, which beat down into the sinkhole as it hovered overhead.
Two other visitors arrived in the sinkhole; and I photographed the scenery with them in it for the purpose of illustrating the size of the sinkhole.
Tiny fish were swimming in the water — seemingly without a care in the world.
In addition to the sinkhole and the paths, Hawiyat Najim Park is equipped with a playground for children, chairs, benches, umbrellas, lawns, and areas for families to gather.
Despite its quiet yet striking beauty, the time had arrived for me to leave the sinkhole and head over to Wadi Shab.
I climbed back up the long concrete staircase.
The views of the sinkhole with the rugged mountains in the background definitely inspire awe.
Bimmah Sinkhole ranges in depth from only a few feet to greater than 300 feet in the deepest part.
Can you find the couple dressed in traditional Muslim clothing in the photograph shown above?
Final Boarding Call
I highly recommend a visit to Hawiyat Najim Park and the Bimmah Sinkhole — whether you are by yourself; with a friend or significant other; or with a family…
…but not while a conflict exists over the Strait of Hormuz, which is located just north of Muscat.
Bimmah Sinkhole in Hawiyat Najim Park in Oman is located just off Highway 17 approximately 113 kilometers southeast of Muscat.
No admission is charged to visit Hawiyat Najim Park — not even a charge for parking your vehicle — and you can spend as much time there as you like…
…but be aware that the hours that Bimmah Sinkhole is open to the public is between 8:00 in the morning and 8:00 in the evening every day.
All photographs ©2015 by Brian Cohen.
