Exploring Oman › Forts, souqs and things to do in Oman › The dhow yard at Sur
Photo: Dr. Thomas Liptak · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
The dhow yard at Sur
Watch thousand-year-old shipbuilding happen in front of you.
Sur's working dhow yard still builds and restores ocean-going wooden ships by hand, teak hulls, no drawings, knowledge passed father to son. You walk among the hulls and watch the work. One of the last places on Earth to see it.
| Best for | Living heritage |
|---|---|
| Time needed | 30–60 min |
| When | Mornings, when work is on |
| Entry | Free, with a paid museum right beside it. A polite hello to the carpenters is the real ticket |
| Vehicle | Any car |
Open The dhow yard at Sur in Google Maps
How to get to The dhow yard at Sur
- On the lagoon edge at the entrance to Sur, signposted, park beside it.
What you'll do
- Wander between hulls in every stage of build, keels to nearly-launched.
- Watch the carpenters work teak with hand tools, ask before you photograph the men, they usually say yes.
- The giant ceremonial dhow by the roundabout makes the scale point for you.
Tell us your dates and how many you are and we'll connect you with an MHT-licensed tour operator, who organises and runs the trip.
WhatsApp Explores OmanThe guide is free. If you'd rather hand the planning to a licensed guide, send me your dates and I'll build your route: the order, the drives, where to sleep and what it costs. Every trip is different, so I quote each one.
Request a quote on WhatsAppTips from a local guide
- Go on a weekday morning, that's when the yard is actually working.
- Pairs perfectly with the corniche walk, they're five minutes apart.
The dhow yard at Sur: questions people ask
How long do you need at The dhow yard at Sur?
30–60 min.
Do you need a 4x4 to reach The dhow yard at Sur?
Any car.
Is The dhow yard at Sur good for kids?
Yes, it works with children.
Open The dhow yard at Sur in the guide app →
More near Bidiyah
- Wadi Bani Khalid, The face of wadis in Oman.
- Wahiba Sands, A night in the dunes you won't get back home.
- Wadi Hawer, For people who want an adventure, not a viewpoint.
- Sur old town & corniche, The dhow-building capital, still building them.
From Exploring Oman, a guide to Oman by Hussain, a licensed Omani tour guide (@hussain_explores). 67 places and two 1-day plans, free to read; the 3, 5 and 7-day routes are in the app.
If you face an issue or something is incorrect, please contact us and we will make the necessary adjustments.