Mark Evans, founder of Outward Bound Oman, embarks on a zero-carbon expedition, kayaking along Oman’s coast. The 70-day kayak journey highlights Oman’s maritime legacy and its unending bond with the sea

An unprecedented maritime expedition tracing Oman’s entire 3,165km coastline set off on Thursday from the wilayat of Khasab, marking the start of a 70-day solo voyage that celebrates the sultanate’s enduring relationship with the sea.

The journey, expected to conclude in the Kharfout area of Dhofar in February 2026, will be one of the longest kayak expeditions of its kind ever attempted in the region.

Undertaken by British explorer Mark Evans, the expedition will rely solely on human and natural power — paddling, ocean currents and waves — with zero carbon emissions. Travelling in a Greenland-style kayak, Evans’ odyssey will chart the changing face of Oman’s coastline, while promoting ocean stewardship and climate awareness – a task he had first undertaken two decades ago.

The initiative, however, is being undertaken under strict sustainability standards and is sponsored by Asyad Shipping, part of the Asyad Group.

“The journey is about storytelling — about Oman’s deep and historic connection to the sea,” Evans told Muscat Daily before setting off. “It’s also about celebrating the people who live along this coastline and the work they’re doing to protect it.”

Open laboratory

Evans describes the voyage as an ‘open laboratory’ — a platform for learning that will connect students worldwide with Oman’s marine biodiversity. Using digital platforms such as Zoom and Teams, he will link directly from the Omani coastline to classrooms in the United States, Canada, UK and beyond.

Thanks to Vodafone Oman’s network coverage, these live sessions will allow tens of thousands of students to witness the expedition in real time, transforming Oman’s shoreline into a global classroom for environmental education.

Each day will begin before dawn. “I’ll be up at 4.30am, on the water before sunrise, paddling six to eight hours depending on conditions, covering around 25 to 40km daily,” Evans explained.

A small support team will follow by land to manage logistics, communications and safety, while also collecting scientific data from the waters along the route. Two kayaks will accompany the expedition — one as a backup and another available for guests who may join him for short sections. “There’s always comfort in knowing that Omani fishermen are never far away if we need help,” Evans added with a smile.

Inspired by the sea

The idea for the journey, Evans said, was sparked by World Maritime Day – observed on September 25 under the theme ‘Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity’.

“The timing seemed perfect,” he said. “Next year’s COP in Nairobi will focus entirely on oceans, and with David Attenborough releasing his new film on the same theme, it felt like the world’s attention was turning to the sea. And I wanted Oman to be part of that conversation.”

A tribute to Oman’s Maritime spirit

For Evans, Oman’s coastline is not just a route — it is a living story. “You move from the dramatic mountains of Musandam to the sandy Batinah coast, then to Muscat’s rocky shores, and onwards to the desert coasts of Sharqiyah and Dhofar. Each stretch has its own character, its own heroes and communities working to preserve the ocean,” he reflected.

As he traces the length of the sultanate’s coast over the coming weeks, Evans’ journey promises to be both, a test of endurance and a heartfelt tribute to Oman’s centuries-old bond with the sea.

Mark Evans has lived and worked in Arabia for over 25 years and is currently based in Beauly, Scotland. In 2012, he was awarded an MBE by The Queen (UK) for his work using outdoor journeys as tools for personal development and learning. In 2023, he received the Medal of Honour from His Majesty the Sultan of Oman for founding Outward Bound Oman.

In 2016, Evans joined two Omanis to become the first people in 85 years to retrace the original crossing of the Rub Al Khali — a 49-day journey from Salalah to Doha. In 2025, he completed another remarkable 30-day trek through the sultanate, following the 1928 route of explorer Bertram Thomas.