Majlis al Jinn

Majlis Al Jinn is one of the most extraordinary natural wonders in Oman and the world. It is a single, vast chamber measuring approximately 310 metres by 225 metres, crowned with a domed ceiling that rises to 120 metres in height. The free-standing roof, astonishingly, is just 40 metres thick across most of the cave. From its highest entrance, the chamber descends to a depth of 178 metres, with a floor area of 58,000 square metres and a total volume of around 4 million cubic metres.

The cave has no visible lower exits or passages—these are likely sealed by rock and sediment. Rainwater that enters through the entrances gathers briefly along the floor before slowly seeping into fine-grained sediments or evaporating. Because the cave’s catchment area is small, most parts of the chamber remain dry. Despite surface temperatures often exceeding 40°C, the cave interior maintains a cool and constant 17–18°C year-round.

Access is only possible via free descent through one of three vertical roof openings, created by water erosion through fractured limestone. These entrances are:

• Cheryl’s Drop (Khoshilat Minqod): 158.2 m

• Asterisk (Khoshilat Beya Al Hiyool): 139.6 m

• First Drop (Khoshilat Maqandeli): 118.0 m

Beneath the larger entrances lie enormous rockfalls, and the chamber floor holds the remains of goats, birds, and snakes that have fallen inside.

Natural light streams in through the roof openings, illuminating parts of the chamber during the day. While stalactites and draperies are rare on the walls and ceiling, the floor is scattered with fragile speleothems that form after heavy rains when water seeps into the cave.