Hallaniyat Islands

About Hallaniyat Islands

• Location: The islands of al Hallaniyyat are located in the north east of Dhofar (South of Oman).
• Administrative control: It is administratively under Wilayat Shalim and al Hallaniyyat Islands of Sultanate of Oman.
• It is an archipelago made up of four main islands and small rocky islets.
  • The four islands are named as Al-Hasikiyah, Al-Sawda, Al-Hallaniyah, Qarzawit, and Al-Qibliyah.
  • Al Hallaniyyat is the biggest island among the four islands and is occupied by 250 persons.
• Physiography: 
  • The four main islands are generally hilly but with some flat areas, especially on the most easterly and most westerly islands. 
  • There are also some small, rocky islets. 
  • The terrain is very rugged in some islands, and there is a massive limestone cliff at the northeastern side of the Hallaniyyat Islands.
  • The islands are characterized by rocky sub littoral mixed coral and phaeophyte, and coastal cliffs with predominantly sandy sub littoral.
• The area overlaps with the Halaaniyaat Islands Key Biodiversity Area and the Oman Arabian Sea Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Area. 
• Flora and Fauna: Shallow waters contain highly diverse and largely undisturbed corals, sponges, seaweeds, algae, fish, and other marine life. 
  • The islands are an important nesting area for Loggerhead turtles. Green turtles are also present.
  • The surrounding waters support several marine mammals, including dolphins and whales.