Salalah Eye to Open as Oman’s Tallest Observation Wheel
New Al Haffa Beach landmark boosts Dhofar’s Khareef tourism
Salalah is getting a new tourist landmark, and it is arriving just in time for Khareef season. The Salalah Eye observation wheel is set to open on August 15, 2026, at Al Haffa Beach in Dhofar Governorate.
Rising 55 metres above the Arabian Sea, it will become Oman’s tallest observation wheel. The attraction will feature 30 fully enclosed, air-conditioned cabins. Each cabin can carry up to six passengers and offer wide 360-degree views of the coast, the mountains, and the green scenery that makes Dhofar’s Khareef season so special.
A full ride is expected to take between eight and 12 minutes.
The new wheel is being developed as a key attraction for Salalah. It will add to the city’s growing tourism options and support Dhofar’s goal of becoming a year-round destination.
The attraction is located near the New Haffa Souq and is being developed in cooperation with the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism and Dhofar Municipality.
An official said the Arabian Khareef is a unique monsoon season found nowhere else in the world. It turns Salalah’s mountains from dry land into green landscapes in just days. Sea mist rolls in, the air becomes cooler, and Salalah Eye spins above it all.
Ticket prices are set at OMR 7 for a standard ride. A private family cabin for up to six people will cost OMR 28. Early booking will also be available for OMR 5.
The attraction will be open daily from 10am to 11pm during the Khareef season.
The opening comes as Dhofar prepares for another strong tourism season. More flights, both local and international, plus a busy calendar of Khareef events, are expected to draw visitors from across Oman and the GCC.
Dhofar welcomed more than one million visitors during last year’s Khareef season. According to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), 1,070,738 visitors travelled to Dhofar in 2025, up from 1,047,751 in 2024 and 962,196 in 2023.
Visitor spending also continued to grow, reaching OMR 125 million in 2025, compared with OMR 121 million in 2024 and OMR 103 million in 2023. This shows the strong economic impact of Khareef season on hotels, transport, retail, entertainment, and small businesses across the governorate.
AI contributed to the creation of this article.