Al Hoota cave opened to the public in 2006, the first and only show cave of the GCC region. The cave is part of a 4.5 km long subterranean karst aquifer system with several underground lakes that are home to an with habitat to an endemic species of blind fish. The show cave is a large chamber, 500 metres long, entered from the southern side. Its location within an environmentally sensitive karst area, with high geological, biological and aesthetic values, puts Al Hoota at the forefront of promoting Oman's remarkable geological heritage. Prior to closure, Al Hoota Cave, was drawing up to 70,000 visitors per year.