Telegraph Island: History and Snorkelling

Telegraph Island (Jazirat al Maqlab) is the two-for-one highlight of every Musandam dhow cruise: a tiny rocky island in the Khor Ash Sham fjord where the British ran an **1864 telegraph relay station** on the London–Karachi cable — now surrounded by some of the clearest snorkeling water in Oman. Every dhow tour stops here, the ruins are visible at low tide, and the reef delivers turtles, angelfish and 15-metre visibility. Here's the full story for 2026.

The history in 60 seconds

In the 1860s the fastest message route from Britain to India ran by submarine cable through the Strait of Hormuz. Signals weakened over the long oceanic stretch, so the British built a relay station on a small island in Khor Ash Sham, where operators amplified and retransmitted the messages.

The station ran from 1864 to 1868 — just four years — before a cheaper overland route through Persia made it redundant. The operators left, the buildings crumbled, and only the stone foundations survive. It's a strange, wonderful thing: the Victorian internet's most remote office, now a snorkeling stop.

What you'll see at the island

• The ruins — low stone walls and foundation lines visible at low tide on the island's north side
• The coral gardens — healthy reef within swimming distance of the anchorage
• The wildlife — parrotfish, angelfish, sergeant majors, moray eels and green turtles
• The setting — 600-metre cliffs rising on three sides, glassy water in the middle

Snorkeling at Telegraph Island: what it's like

The dhow anchors in 4–6 metres of sheltered water. You slip in from the deck ladder and drift with the current around the island's reef edge — 30 to 45 minutes is the standard session. The coral sits close to the surface on the island's seaward side, which is what makes this the best easy-access snorkeling in Musandam.

Beginner note: the boat side is shallow and calm; the seaward side deepens and can carry a gentle current. Follow the crew's directions and you'll have an easy, spectacular drift.

Which tour gets you there

Tour	Stops at Telegraph Island	Price from
Half-day dhow cruise	Yes — one snorkeling stop	12 OMR
Full-day dhow cruise	Yes — with Seebi Island stop	20 OMR
Overnight dhow cruise	Anchors nearby at night	55 OMR

The full-day cruise gives you the longest time at the island and the best light for photography.

Visitor tips for 2026

• Timing: low tide reveals the ruins; mornings have the calmest water
• Camera: a waterproof pouch or housing is essential — this is a swim-first stop
• Reef etiquette: no standing on coral, no touching the ruins — they're protected heritage
• Sun: the water reflects hard; reef-safe sunscreen before you enter, not in the water