Shrouded in mist and surrounded by the lush mountains of southern Oman, Dhofar’s massive sinkholes plunge dramatically into the earth, creating a spectacle where nature, folklore, and science converge. These awe-inspiring formations, long steeped in mystery, are now a growing attraction for both domestic and international tourists.

Among the four known sinkholes in Dhofar, the Kahf Teiq stands out as one of the largest in the world, measuring an immense 211 metres deep and 150 metres wide. Its sheer scale leaves visitors stunned, offering a rare glimpse into the geological processes that have shaped the region for thousands of years.

The Tawi Atair sinkhole, whose name means “Well of Birds” in the local Dhofari language, is another highlight. Revered for the bird calls that echo hauntingly from its depths, the site was virtually unknown to the wider world until 1997, when Slovenian researchers, in collaboration with Oman’s Sultan Qaboos University, documented it for the first time.

Today, concrete pathways and staircases guide visitors safely around Tawi Atair, but not all of Dhofar’s sinkholes are as accessible.

The Sheeheet pit, located a 40-minute drive away through winding mountain roads, is ringed with slippery mud. Authorities have erected fences and warning signs after several incidents, including one tourist who recently slipped perilously close to the edge.

“Safety is a priority,” assured Dhofar’s governor, Marwan bin Turki Al-Said, during a recent briefing attended by AFP. Officials are working to balance the allure of these natural wonders with measures that protect visitors from the dangers posed by the rugged terrain.

Locals have long attributed the formation of these massive chasms to meteorite impacts, believing they are the scars of cosmic collisions. However, science tells a different story.

According to Dhofar-based geologist Ali Faraj Al-Kathiri, the sinkholes formed when water seeped into porous limestone, creating an acidic solution that slowly dissolved the rock over thousands of years, eventually collapsing into vast underground voids.

The sinkholes of Oman are distinct from the infamous “Well of Hell” in neighbouring Yemen’s eastern desert — a deep, foul-smelling pit surrounded by sinister folklore.

While Yemen’s pit is shrouded in fear, Oman’s craters are increasingly celebrated as treasures of natural heritage.Oman welcomed nearly four million visitors in 2024, with the government aiming to triple that number by 2040 through a sustainable tourism strategy.

Dhofar’s sinkholes, alongside its cooler climate and verdant landscapes during the summer monsoon, are central to that vision. Once on the fringes of global tourism, Oman is now firmly on the map for travellers seeking unspoiled beauty and authentic cultural experiences.

And in Dhofar, where echoes of birdsong mingle with whispers of legend, the sinkholes remain timeless guardians of the region’s natural history.