Qeshm Island, known as the largest island of Iran and of the Persian Gulf, is one of the islands of the Hormozgan Province and lies in the Strait of Hormuz. Qeshm Island has been considered one of the top tourist destinations in Iran in recent years.
Geographic location of Qeshm Island: from north to Bandar Abbas, northeast to Hormuz, east to Lark, south to Hengam Island, and south-west to Tunb islands.

Badgirs (Wind Towers), Laft village, Qeshm Island, Iran 

A brief history of Qeshm Island

In the Sassanid era, the name of the island of Qeshm was "Abarkavan". The island was very prosperous at the beginning of the Islamic era, all over the island was covered with fields, palm trees and other fruits. Abarkavan was known as an active maritime center. At the end of the Umayyad period, the island served as a refuge for mutineers and enemies of the central government.

Trip to Qeshm Island

Qeshm has a warm and humid climate. The average temperature of the island is estimated to be around 24 ° C. However, the maximum and minimum temperatures so far have been recorded at 46 and 18 ° C, respectively. The hottest days would start from July 10th and continue to September 10th and the coldest can be experience in January and February. Travel to Qeshm is feasible by sea and air. Qeshm has an international airport. It should be noted that this airport is a hub of Qeshm Airlines.Due to the weather conditions of Qeshm Island, the best time to travel to this island is in autumn and in winter. Qeshm in winter brings a mild climate experience with an average of 24 degrees Celsius.

Attractions

Qeshm is full of natural and extraordinary attractions which can't be found anywhere in Iran. The natural and historical attractions, along with the culture of the island's indigenous people have made a great number of visitors visit Qeshm as their destination of choice every year. Below we will get acquainted with the most important tourist attractions in Qeshm.

What's a Geo-park?

Geo-park is a UNESCO-defined region with a sufficiently clear boundary and several distinct geological phenomena within it, and this area should be able to play an important role in the economic development of its surrounding communities. Geology also has monuments, ecology, archeology and other cultural and natural heritage.

UNESCO launched the Geo-park project in response to a perceived need for an international program to identify places of geological attraction. The goal of the Global Geoparks Network program is to emphasize the value of such places while creating employment and fostering regional economic development. UNESCO created an internationally recognized title "UNESCO Geo-park" to accomplish its goal which is to give this title to 500 Geo-parks around the world. 

Qeshm Geopark

Qeshm is the first geopark in the Middle East. The mountains, plains, valleys, canyons and beaches of this region are unique. Apart from the presence of rare and endangered species, we also see rare geological phenomena. The unique features of this geopark are natural sculptures and scattered reliefs, flat surfaces and numerous elevations, eroded columns and amazing formations. Qeshm Geopark has 25 geo sites: Qeshm Roof, Chah Kuh canyon, Statue Valley, Valley of stars, Salt Lake, Shore Valley, Dolab, Namkdan Mountain, Corcorah Mountain, Mangrove Forest, Karyan, Geopark Museum, Naaz Islands, Karag Beach, Ghazi valley, Chakavir, Basirah, Basa'idu, Direstan Bay, Crab Rock, Laft Village, Khorbas Cave, Bird Lake,…

Valley of Stars

The Valley of Stars has long had many legends. Some of the islanders believe the valley was created by meteor shower, and others, which make up a larger percentage, believe that the stars of the region have fallen in the past and caused such a fantastic formation in the rocks. Some call it the Valley of the Ghosts, because when the wind blows through the rocks, it creates a weird sound that is said to resemble the sound of a whispering ghost.

The Valley of Stars, however, is one of the most unique natural attractions in the entire country, caused by water erosion, heavy rainfall, and severe storms over millions of  years. Some scholars believe that the valley's life spans two million years. Star Valley is located near the village of Berka Khalaf (2 km south of the island). 

Valley of Stars, Qeshm 

Chah-Kuh Canyon

Chah-Kuh Valley or Canyon is located 70 km from Qeshm's downtown and near the eastern village of Chahui. This Canyon has a depth of 100 meters which means that the walls of the valley can be seen up to 100 meters above the head in some parts.
Naturally, water on an island is of particular importance. The natives of this area used to dig a few wells in the old valley in order not to waste the rainwater, and this is probably the reason why the valley was named Chahkuh. Some of the wells are over 400 years old.

Naaz Islands

Naaz Islands, with an area of approximately 3hectares are located off the east coast of Qeshm Island. These islands are mostly surrounded by 5 to 10 meters rock barriers. There is no sand beach in the Naaz islands. These two islands have no inhabitant, but most locals fish here.

Mangrove forest (Harra)

In the Strait of Khoran between Qeshm Island and part of Hormozgan province, in an area of about 200 square kilometers, Mangrove forests have emerged that rise out of the water as trees come out and show off at day time. Mangrove is an amazing plant with oval leaves that roots into the depths of saline waters. The mangrove forest is considered a favorable habitat for migratory birds.

Harra forest, Qeshm Island

Laft village

Laft is one of the important villages of Qeshm Island which has some vital central functions. This village is located in the northwest of Qeshm Island. The village has long been the center of Qeshm Island, and even for a while the whole name of the island was Loft. The village of Laft with its tropical green trees and tall palm trees, along with sea views and mangrove forests, looks enchanting. The most unique architectural feature in Laft is the presence of numerous wind towers and fresh water wells right beside the sea!

The existence of special ventilation structures, called Badgirs, on the roofs is a distinctive feature of the architecture of this village. Badgir or wind tower is a high structure on the roof under which, in the interior of the building, there is a small pool which all together serve as an air conditioning system. 

Hormuz Island

The island of Hormuz is called the small island of the Persian Gulf. It is a picturesque island full of different colors, with a completely different culture so that you enter another planet as you enter Hormuz.
Hormuz Island, land of colors and wonders, boasts spectacular landscapes from colorful soils to extraordinary architecture, with a fascinating story to hear and a sight to behold. It is interesting to know that the soil of Hormuz can be seen in seventy different colors, an eatable soil with healing effects which is one of the wonders of this place.

Colorful soil, Hormuz Island, Persian Gulf, Iran     

History, nature and beach of Hormuz Island

By the 14th century, the population of the island was 7,000 people, and Hormuz was known as a commercial city by the river Minab. It is interesting to know that when the Mongols invaded Iran, around 700 years ago, Hormuz Island was a city at the mouth of the river Minab. After the Mongol invasion, the fifteenth ruler of Hormuz and inhabitants fled the town and took their refuge first to Kish Island and then to Laron.

Hormuz Island is an oval-shaped, dome-shaped island with an area of 42 square kilometers at the entrance to the Persian Gulf and 2 kilometers to Bandar Abbas. The island of Hormuz is considered the key to the Persian Gulf because of its geographical location and its proximity to the Strait of Hormuz. It is in this context that Hormuz Island has historically been particularly important in Qeshm, both geographically and commercially. Colorful mountains, cliffs formed over millions of years of erosion, magnificent salt rocks and, most of all, red soil - these are spectacular attractions on the island of Hormuz, so traveling to Hormuz Island, especially in the cold seasons, can be the best choice for a pleasant and dreamy trip. Be it. Make sure to include Hormuz Island in your tour list. The island will amaze you with its beauties.

How to go to Hormuz Island from Qeshm?

There are two ways to get to Hormuz Island. From the island of Qeshm, twice a day rapid boats go to Hormuz and return. Around 07:00 am from the dock of Shahid Zakeri in Qeshm and around 03:00 pm from the dock of Hormuz. If the weather is fine, it will take about thirty minutes to reach the island's beautiful beach. A half day tour is enough to see the entire island of Hormuz and the best time to travel is the second half of the year.
Most of us are used to travel by car. But Hormuz is not really your personal space, because it doesn't have a good road to surf, but there is no need to worry!

Once aboard, the island's natives, with their comfortable cars and tricycles, are waiting to take you to the island in a short time and show their patience to all travelers. You can only trust them and come to an agreement. The island is so small that if you so desire, you can pedal the entire coastline with the bikes that exist and immerse yourself in the spectacular, colorful landscape.

Also read about Kish Island