Choosing between our shared Daymaniyat snorkeling tour and a private Daymaniyat snorkeling tour usually comes down to one question: how much more does privacy really cost for your group? The answer changes a lot depending on how many people are coming.
We worked out the cost per person for groups of one to eight, using our published 2026 prices.
The two prices
- Shared tour: 30 OMR per person (about $78).
- Private tour: 250 OMR for up to 4 guests (about $650), plus 20 OMR (about $52) for each extra guest.
Both trips last four hours, depart Seeb Port at 8:00 AM and return around noon. Both include snorkeling equipment, reserve permit fees, bottled water, soft drinks, snacks and sandwiches. The boat ride to the islands takes 20 to 25 minutes either way.
So the reef, the gear and the timing are the same. What changes is who is on the boat with you.
Cost per person by group size
| Guests | Shared total | Private total | Private per person | Extra per person for private |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 30 OMR | 250 OMR | 250.00 OMR | +220.00 OMR |
| 2 | 60 OMR | 250 OMR | 125.00 OMR | +95.00 OMR |
| 3 | 90 OMR | 250 OMR | 83.33 OMR | +53.33 OMR |
| 4 | 120 OMR | 250 OMR | 62.50 OMR | +32.50 OMR |
| 5 | 150 OMR | 270 OMR | 54.00 OMR | +24.00 OMR |
| 6 | 180 OMR | 290 OMR | 48.33 OMR | +18.33 OMR |
| 7 | 210 OMR | 310 OMR | 44.29 OMR | +14.29 OMR |
| 8 | 240 OMR | 330 OMR | 41.25 OMR | +11.25 OMR |
USD figures use the Omani rial’s fixed rate of about $2.60 per rial.
What the numbers tell you
The gap shrinks fast. For a couple, a private boat costs 95 OMR more per person than the shared trip. For a family of four, the difference drops to 32.50 OMR each. At eight guests, it is just 11.25 OMR each, or about $29.
Four guests is the turning point. The private price covers up to four people, so groups of four get the most value from the base rate. Every guest after that adds only 20 OMR, which is less than a shared ticket.
Solo travellers and couples should usually share. Unless privacy is essential, the shared tour is the clear value choice for one or two people.
What you get for the extra money
The extra cost buys control over the day, not a different reef.
- Your own pace. Stay longer at a spot where turtles are feeding, or move on when the group is ready.
- No strangers on board. This helps families with young children, nervous swimmers and anyone celebrating a special occasion.
- Flexible focus. Spend more time on photography, extra snorkel stops or simply relaxing on deck.
- Quieter water. The reserve recorded 136,549 visitors in 2025, up 29.2% on the year before, according to figures reported by the Times of Oman. A private boat lets you plan around busier moments.
Which tour should you book?
- 1–2 guests, budget first: shared tour.
- 1–2 guests, special occasion or nervous swimmer: private tour.
- 3–4 guests: private if you value flexibility, shared if cost matters most.
- 5–8 guests: private is usually worth it, since the extra cost is 11 to 24 OMR per person.
If you are still weighing things up, our post on whether a private tour in Oman is worth the extra cost looks at the wider picture. You can also read our honest Daymaniyat Islands tour review.
Before you book
Check your group size, then use the table above to see your real per-person cost. First-time snorkelers should also read what first-time visitors should know about Daymaniyat snorkeling. Whichever tour you choose, the turtles, the coral and the clear water are the same.
Related reading
- Daymaniyat Islands Visitors Nearly Doubled Since 2023: What 2027 Could Look Like
- Browse all our private tours in Muscat
Frequently asked questions
Does the private tour visit different spots?
Both tours visit the Daymaniyat Islands reserve from Seeb Port and last about four hours. The private tour gives your group its own boat and more say over timing and stops.
Can a family of five book the private tour?
Yes. The private price covers up to four guests, and each extra guest costs 20 OMR. A group of five pays 270 OMR in total, or 54 OMR each.
Are permits included in both prices?
Yes. Reserve permit fees, snorkeling equipment, water, soft drinks, snacks and sandwiches are included on both tours.
Is snorkeling suitable for weak swimmers?
Think about your swimming ability and comfort in the water before you book. Let us know in advance, as a private boat can make the day more relaxed.
Sources: Times of Oman, 2025 visitors · Prices from octopus-oman.com tour pages (21 Oct 2026)
