Oman beach scene

Having been in the beaches around Muscat, Sur and Salalah I could say that a Dahab like beach scene does not exist in Oman – at least not in the above mentioned beaches. Oman is not particularly suited for backpackers so do not expect massive beach lounge scene.
However, in Qurum beach in Muscat you can find some cafes and restaurants renting comfortable sunbeds and small sofas on the sand. Omanis are particularly friendly and open for a chat but don’t expect the international young crowd and attitude of Dahab.
In Salalah town there are many very relaxing small restaurants and cafes directly on the sandy beach where you can stay till quite late at night but no sofas/pillows – just plastic chairs. The most «hip» of these seems to be cafe de Paris.
On the positive side, beaches –particularly those around Salalah- are by far more beautiful and deserted than those in Sinai.

Cafe Paris doesn't have shisha. This stretch of beach in Salalah does have a lot of small cafes/restaurants, but it is mostly old guys who sit there with friends. The young crowd goes to other restaurants with better projectors to mainly watch football games. Sport Cafe, Arabella, etc.

The main thing about Oman is that it isn't ideal for budget travel. It is fairly far away from Europe, and there isn't an abundance of budget lodging. Because of this, the only young people [foreigners] you find here are with their families. You can find expat 20-somethings in various bars in Muscat, but that's not the same scene. I've been to Egypt several times and I know what you're speaking of. Unless you plan to drop some serious coin, it's difficult to find that elegant nightlife. It is a more practical approach here. Stick plastic chairs and tables in a big empty lot with a projector screen and you're set.

Hi, I'm an expat and I live in Salalah. I can confirm that there is nothing you can call a reall "beach scene" here. BUT, the beaches here must be the best I've seen on the arabic peninsula. I've travelled extensively and only the beaches in the Philippines were prettier.
What do we do on the beach here?: Camp, bbq, lounge. With friends.

I don't agree with the above that cafe de paris is the best lounge scene because the sand is full of sigarett butts there. It must be the least clean part of beach in Salalah. The hotels have nice places to lounge. You can go to the Crowne Plaza (I think they do shisah on the beach). The Hilton has the sea breeze bar. And the Oasis club, on a cliff overlooking the sea, recently also opened a smoking area outside.

If you're coming with friends,bring a tent, buy a shishah and a bbq and find yourself a spot on a pristine beach. The most beautiful are just after Mirbat when you come from Salalah. You can drive down from Muscat along the beach and camp along the way or take a plane ride for about an hour. But, hurry up because the temperature is rising. May & June will be hot hot hot. After that it will be "Khareef" and we will not see the sun again until the end of august.

Check out some of the things to do in Salalah on this new site: http://www.secretsalalah.com/ This region is very special and unspoiled. Hope you make it down here!

Have fun!