On Day 16 of the Oman 3165 Expedition the team are having a rest day.

Whilst Nigel and Anna Maria are in schools talking to students about Oman 3165, Mark is out and about meeting people whose lives are intertwined with the ocean here in Oman. In this podcast he meets the remarkable Reem Askalan, who over a period of 5 years has explored every nook and cranny of Oman’s coastline documenting safe anchorages for intrepid sailors who want to explore the waters of Oman.

Reem’s book is due out early in 2026, so keep an eye out!

Discover more about the expedition and track Mark at Oman 3165

The Oman 3165 podcast is produced by Adventurous Audio

Sandwich Tern recorded by David Darrell-Lambert and used with permission under Creative Commons licence

From the Tolkien like landscapes of Limah, Mark and Mohamed have continued south, paddling into sea caves and exploring beach landing sites. Both were struck by the simple structures used to store water for the local goats, but also the birdlife these watering holes attracted. A kingfisher joined them followed by a small flock of sand grouse.

After crossing the border out of Oman and into the UAE and back into Oman again, the landscape has changed into flat fertile coastal plains. The coastline is now sandy and smooth, heavily populated with strings of forts and mosques lining the shore.

The team pass the port of Sohar, one of the largest in Oman and the alleged birthplace of Sinbad the Sailor. But local curiosity and hospitality mean they have had to abandon their beach campsites and find isolated campsites inland so they can rest and connect, undisturbed, with the educational groups around the world who are following the expedition.

Mohamed has gone back to his day job at Outward Bound Oman, so Mark is paddling solo at 6.5 km/h, he has had his first encounter with turtles and the highly venomous sea snakes.

The weather has enable Mark to make great progress, Muscat is only 5 days over the horizon and his wrist is getting stronger by the day.

Discover more about the expedition and track Mark at Oman 3165

The Oman 3165 podcast is produced by Adventurous Audio

Sandwich Tern recorded by David Darrell-Lambert and used with permission under Creative Commons licence

It’s the end of Day 4 of the Oman 3165 Expedition. Mark and Mohamed have landed at Limah for an overnight rest. The first few legs of the expedition have taken them north, rounding the northern most tip of Oman jutting out into the Srait of Hormuz before turning south again.

Because of the remoteness of this part of the expedition, the team have been paddling unsupported and landing on beaches for rest and shelter. They have been joined by turtles and sea snakes, watched ospreys soar and encountered typical warm Omani hospitality when they have crossed paths with the occasional fisherman on the shore.

Through the narrow strait, navigation and tidal planning has been vital; not only so they can seek shelter from the sun during the heat of the day, but as Mark and Mohamed entered the lion’s jaw they had to avoid being chewed up and spat back out.

A quick resupply in Kumzar has been their only real human connection before being met on the shore at Limah by Nigel and Ana-Maria.

Discover more about the expedition and track Mark at Oman 3165

The Oman 3165 podcast is produced by Adventurous Audio

Sandwich Tern recorded by David Darrell-Lambert and used with permission under Creative Commons licence