Fahal Island rises about four kilometers off Muscat's Qurm beach, its limestone cliffs formed from seabed sediment some 35 to 55 million years ago and later pushed above the waves. The waters around it hold colorful coral reefs and rich marine life, making it one of Muscat's best known diving and snorkeling spots, and it is nicknamed Shark Island for the reef sharks often seen in its shallows. Because the island is a protected natural reserve, visits and dives require prior authorization from the relevant authorities.