Southern Islands Travel Guide

Some very noteworthy places to visit in Qeshm are the mangrove forest of Hara, the Valley of the Stars, the village of Laft, the Island of Hormuz, and many more.

The Valley of the Stars is one of the most enchanting and breathtaking locations on the island, its name is derived from the local belief that a star fell into the valley and shaped the gigantic animal and human-like statues. Remarkably when the wind passes along the rocks, an auditory component is added to the Jinn-like visuals that, especially during the dark, make it even too uncanny for the locals.

Laft is a Small traditional fishing village and is perhaps one of the places that has best preserved the traditional way of life of the Persian Gulf than anywhere else in the region. Compared to other places in Qeshm, the village is still rather conservative and also one of the poorest. The wind towers and the Wells of Tala are some notable sites in the village.

Hara is a protected area restricted to fishing, tourist boat trips, and a small amount of local leave cutting for livestock feed. The strange forest is inhibited by cranes, herons, pelicans, turtles, crabs, and also snakes.

The city of Qeshm itself has hotels, skyscrapers, shopping malls, and a wider variety of restaurants, but we wouldn’t recommend spending too much time here as the Island provides many more unique sites.

Hengam Island is known for its fascinating rock formations, wildlife, and striking beaches. Playful dolphins and unique species of Gazelles, glittering mineral-rich beaches during the day, and glowing phytoplankton beaches during the night are some of the reasons why this island is a must-see location when traveling to Qeshm.

The Island of Hormuz, also known as the Rainbow Island is only slightly larger than Hengam, but arguably what Hormuz lacks in wildlife in comparison it makes up for with even more fascinatingly colorful rock formations.

Very much in contrast with mainland Iran, the Qeshm cuisine and the islands surrounding it are, for obvious reasons, almost entirely fish-based. Different types of fish, shrimp, squid, and sharks are the characteristic dishes of Qeshm, Hengam, and Hormuz. Although you can find the usual Iranian restaurants and fast-food joints in the city itself, the local fresh fish is generally recommended.

There are a good number of hotels in Qeshm city, however, most attractions are completely on the other side of the island, and it is highly recommended that you try the Hostels, homestays, and eco-lodges found all around the island in every small and large village. Some of the most famous of these are Coludang homestay, Nakhoda Amini Hostel, Lard Suza Hostel, Jalboat Hostel, Khalu Mansoor Eco-lodge, Khane Doost Eco-lodge, and Parviz Eco-lodge.

If you are already in the south of Iran you can reach Qeshm and the rest of the islands by Ferry with minimum hassle, as you can easily catch the ferry that leaves Bandar Abbas for Qeshm every 30 minutes. You can also travel to Qeshm by plane as Qeshm has an international airport. There are regular flights to and from Qeshm from most major Iranian cities. There are also daily flights to and from Dubai through Qeshm air.