Qeshm Island

Qeshm Island with average length of 132 km and average width of 11.4 km lies strategically in the Strait of Hormuz. This Island, which is about 1500 sq km, is the world’s biggest independent island and Iran’s most populated island. The water distance from Qeshm to Bandar Abbas is 20 kilometers. The island has a surface area of 1,491 sq km and is 2.5 times the size of Bahrain. It has a population of around 118,000. Qeshm city, located at the easternmost point of the island, is 22 kilometers from Bandar Abbas while the closest point of the island is two kilometers from the mainland. Fishing is a leading occupation practiced by the inhabitants of the island. Dates and melons are grown on the small area of cultivated land. Salt is mined on the southeastern coast.

The tourist attractions of Qeshm island are:

Stars Valley
Stars Valley is located in the north of the village Berkeh-ye Khalaf, 5 kilometers from the southern coast of the Qeshm Island. It is the consequence of 2 million years of wind erosion and rainstorm. The valley is one of the most fascinating natural attractions existing in the south of Iran. It is also a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Sites.

Namakdan salt cave & dome
With a length of six kilometers, Namakdan Salt Cave is the longest salt cave in the world. There are salt water flows in the cave that reflect the images of the surroundings. There are beautiful icicles on the ceiling and many salt sculptures in the cave that make it a unique place for the visitors. The cave is 90 km far from Qeshm city and is on the southern part of the island.

Namakdan salt cave & dome

Hara Marine Forests
Qeshm Island is famous for its wide range of Eco-tourist attractions such as the Hara marine forest. The forest is dominated by the species Avicennia marina known locally as “Hara”. It is a biosphere reserve and the commercial use is restricted in the area. The trees reach to three to eight meters and are salt-water plants which are often submerged at high tide. The forest is on the north shore of Qeshm. Hara trees have a filtration property which allows the plant to eliminate salt and absorb sweet water.

Hara Marine Forests

Portuguese Castle
The Portuguese Castle, known as Fort of Our Lady of the Conception is a red stone fortress on Qeshm Island. This castle was built in the year 1621 AD in the northeast of Qeshm Island. The castle is survived from Portuguese colonial rule in the Persian Gulf. The area was an entrance to the Persian Gulf and thereby an important maritime location. The castle was separated from the rest of the island by a moat which its traces are still remained. While the roof is fallen long ago, much of the walls are still intact.

Hengam Island
Hengam Island is located in the south of Geshm and has a wideness of approximately 36.6 km. The distance between Hengam Island and Qeshm Island is about 2 km. One of the best tourist attractions in the island is watching the groups of dolphins moving around the Hengam Island. The rocky and sandy beaches of the island is also one of the tourist attractions in the south of Iran.

Hengam Island