ImmersiveIran > About Iran > Destinations > Iran Islands
Less known to the world than the Iranian palaces, bazaars, and mosques, Iran islands reveal a captivating and distinct side of the country. Scattered across the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, they are shaped by unique geography, from rocky cliffs and sandy shores to mangrove forests and coral-rich waters. Beyond their natural beauty, the islands of Iran have long been centers of human settlement, maritime trade, and cultural exchange. For centuries, they acted as gateways between the mainland and distant lands, hosting ports, fortresses, and trading posts that shaped regional politics and commerce. These Iranian islands preserve unique cultural traditions—from local crafts and architecture to music, cuisine, and clothing. These reflect the influence of diverse communities over time. Exploring them reveals a layer of Iran’s history and culture often overlooked, a story of seafaring, trade, and cultural resilience, where communities have built lives intimately woven with the rhythms of the sea.
The islands of Iran are hot and humid in summer. Winters are mild and more comfortable, making November to March the ideal time to visit, when gentle breezes, calmer seas, and pleasant temperatures allow for exploring beaches, mangroves, and cultural sites with ease.
Iran is home to around 34 islands in the Persian Gulf, though only a select few are accessible to visitors. Among the most popular and well-developed for tourism are Hormuz, Qeshm, Hengam, and Kish, each offering unique landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and historical significance.
Hormuz Island, known as the “Rainbow Island,” is located in the southern part of Iran, just off the coast near Bandar Abbas in the Persian Gulf. Despite its small size, Hormuz island of Iran is renowned for its striking landscapes, colorful cliffs, and historical sites, offering a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage.
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Located in the Persian Gulf off Iran’s southern coast, Kish island of Iran is the country’s premier resort destination and a bustling free trade zone. It is known for modern comforts, shopping, and entertainment. With its coral beaches, luxury hotels, and world-class diving among reefs and historic wrecks, Kish Island offers a cosmopolitan contrast to the rustic charm of its neighboring islands, all while operating under a visa-free entry policy for many nationalities.
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Located just off the southern coast near Bandar Abbas, Qeshm—the largest Persian Gulf Island —is a UNESCO Global Geopark celebrated for its natural wonders. From the mysterious canyons of Stars Valley to the sprawling Hara mangrove forests and sea turtle nesting sites, it is a paradise for nature lovers. This Iran island also showcases a rich cultural tapestry, with unique customs, handicrafts, and the historic Portuguese Castle.
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Just off the coast of Qeshm lies the small yet captivating Hengam Island. Its charm lies in its simplicity: clear waters, dolphins that play near the shore, traditional handicrafts, and a laid-back atmosphere. The island is a favorite for day trips and for those seeking authentic encounters with local island life.
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Iran has more than 100 islands scattered across the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, although the exact number depends on how an “island” is defined (many are tiny uninhabited islets). Around 30 of them are officially named, inhabited, or strategically important. The most well-known include Qeshm, Kish, Hormuz, Abu Musa, Kharg, Lavan, Siri, Hengam, Larak, Farur, Shidvar, and Greater and Lesser Tunbs.
The most important Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf are:
Iran controls dozens of islands in the Persian Gulf, including Qeshm, Kish, Hormuz, Abu Musa, Kharg, Lavan, Siri, Hengam, Larak, Shidvar, Hendorabi, Kabudan, Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and many smaller islets. Many of these islands sit near the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategic shipping routes.
Qeshm Island is both the largest island in Iran and the largest in the Persian Gulf, covering about 1,491 square kilometers. It is located in the Strait of Hormuz, off the coast of Hormozgan Province, and is connected to the mainland by a series of bridges from Bandar Abbas.
Qeshm is famous for the Qeshm Geopark (UNESCO Global Geopark), the dramatic Stars Valley, the Hara mangrove forests, the massive Namakdan Salt Cave, Chahkooh Canyon, and unique wildlife. It is also a duty-free zone, making it popular for shopping and ecotourism.
Kish is one of Iran’s most popular tourist resort islands, known for its coral beaches, luxury hotels, scuba diving sites, the famous Greek shipwreck, the ruins of ancient Harireh, the Dolphin Park, and duty-free shopping. Foreign visitors do not need a visa to enter Kish.
Hormuz Island is world-famous for its surreal, multicolored landscape — red, yellow, orange, silver, and even rainbow-striped mountains. This is due to its high concentration of different mineral-rich soils. Top attractions include the Rainbow Mountains, the Red Beach, the Valley of Statues, and the Portuguese Fortress dating back to the 16th century.
Kharg (or Khark) Island lies in the Persian Gulf, about 25 km off the northwestern coast of Iran in Bushehr Province, near the main shipping lanes leading to the Strait of Hormuz. It serves as Iran’s primary crude oil export terminal, handling the vast majority of the country’s seaborne oil shipments.
Abu Musa is a small but strategically vital island in the central Persian Gulf. Because of its location near the Strait of Hormuz, it has long played an important role in shipping, security, and regional geopolitics.
Yes. The Strait of Hormuz is dotted with Iranian islands, including Hormuz, Larak, Qeshm, Hengam, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb. These islands sit at the entrance to the Persian Gulf and are among the most strategically important pieces of land in the world because around 20% of global oil passes through this narrow waterway.
Absolutely. Iran has over 5,500 km of coastline along the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, and the Caspian Sea. Its southern coast offers warm waters, white-sand beaches, and modern resorts — especially on Kish, Qeshm, Bandar Abbas, Chabahar, and the pristine islands of Hengam, Larak, and Shidvar.
No. Iran is a large continental country in Western Asia, bordered by the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman to the south and the Caspian Sea to the north. However, Iran controls dozens of islands, the majority of which are located in the Persian Gulf.
The best time to visit Iran’s southern islands is from November to March, when temperatures are mild (around 20–28°C) and humidity is lower. Summers can be extremely hot, often exceeding 40°C with high humidity.
