Written By Mustafa Local Tourguide of Qeshm Island
Qeshm Island, a hidden gem in the Persian Gulf, offers an unparalleled adventure for every traveler. From breathtaking natural wonders to rich cultural experiences, there’s an abundance of things to do in Qeshm. Whether you’re seeking relaxation, exploration, or adventure, this enchanting island has something to captivate every soul. Discover the wonders of Qeshm with us on the best Iran tours, and let us inspire your next unforgettable journey.
If you visit Qeshm, it’s highly recommended to explore Hormuz Island, a small island in the northeast of Qeshm. Known as the ‘Rainbow Island,’ Hormuz boasts colorful mountains, sandy beaches, vibrant caves, and breathtaking views that are sure to amaze you.
1. Stars Valley
This valley is located in the southeast of Qeshm island. The local name of this valley is (Estala Kaftah) Which means a star fell to this area and created this valley but this is just a story. This valley was created by erosion over millions of years.
In order to experience the main things to do in Qeshm, you can also join a full-day tour by Persian Walk.
2. Chahkooh Valley
This valley is located in the western part of Qeshm island and it’s one of the most beautiful erosional valleys of the island, an earth cracked millions of years ago and erosion made the wall of this gorge like Swiss cheese but not the cheese made of milk but the rocky one
The name of this valley comes from two words Chah means water well and Kouh means mountain because locals who lived near the canyons made water wells in this valley to reach the fresh underground water while visiting you can take and drink the water
3. Namakdan Salt Cave
This salt cave is the largest in the world the depths of this cave are about 6.5 km and geological scientists think it is about 500 million years old. This Salt cave is live and over time salt can grow on the roof and the walls of the cave. In some parts of the cave, you can see salt covering all the walls and the roof of the cave.
4. Hara Mongroves Forests
On the north coast of Qeshm island and on the big modded islands just near the island coast, there is a big sea Forrest. The routes of trees of the forest have the ability to filter the salt of the ocean and give the freshwater for growing the trees. Locals use the leaves of the trees to feed their camels and cows. Hara Forrest is one of the best places in Iran for birds to live during winter.
5. Dolphin Watching Near Hengam Island:
In the south of Qeshm island and near the smaller island called Hengam island there are boat tours to see nose-bottled dolphins the chance to see dolphins in 3 seasons; fall, winter, and spring is height in good sea conditions.
The boat tour also included a short visit to the women’s beach Bazar of Hengam island and a stop near the port of Hengam to see colorful fishes just near your boat.
6. Old Laft village
The oldest part of the Island, Laft village is located in the northern part of Qeshm island, and its the closest to mainland Iran, in the old part of the village most of the houses have wind towers ( Badgirs). In the past when there was no electricity they used the wind towers to cool down their houses like AC, when visiting don’t forget to see Tala historical wells.
7. Swiming in the Persian Gulf
Looking for surprising things to do in Qeshm? Swimming in the Persian Gulf offers a truly unique experience, and Qeshm Island is a paradise for water enthusiasts. The southern coast of Qeshm boasts some of the island’s most stunning beaches, perfect for a refreshing dip.
- Zeytoon park beach
- Ramchah beach
- Suza beach
- Shibderaz beach
- Singo beach
- Namakdan beach
- Naghasha beach
- Salagh beach
8. Watching the sunset
Seeing the sunset in the Persian Gulf is an unforgettable experience. Qeshm Island offers several breathtaking locations to witness this natural spectacle. Here are some of the best spots to catch a mesmerizing sunset:
- Laft village
- Singo beach
- Mongroves forests
- Khamasi beach in Hengam island
9. Walking in Qeshm Island
For us at Persianwalk, walking is more than just exercise; it’s a journey of discovery. Qeshm Island, with its captivating blend of history, nature, and local charm, is a walker’s paradise. The main city of Qeshm offers a delightful mix of traditional and modern attractions, perfect for a leisurely stroll. Here are some of our favorite walking routes as our favourite things to do in Qeshm:
- Zeytoon beach park
- Around Portuguese castle
- Qeshm City Center Mall
- Qeshm old bazaar
- Danesh food street
10. Visiting Hormuz Island
You can explore most of Hormuz’s stunning sites in around 4 hours, you might want to spend more time to fully discover its charm. Staying overnight is highly recommended to experience the unique island life, complete with interesting cafes and street food.
Typically, visitors tour Hormuz by tuk-tuk, but you can also get around by car, or rent a motorbike or bicycle. Hormuz is a truly beautiful and unique island, so be sure to include it in your Iran itinerary when visiting the south.
List of best places to see in Hormuz island
- Salt goddess (silence valley)
- Status valley
- Red and silver beach
- Saffron valley
- Rainbow valley
- Rainbow cave
- Turtles beach view point
Hormuz island is accessible by ferry from either Qeshm Island or Bandar Abbas city taking about 40 minutes. The timetable is here :
| From | To | Morning | Afternoon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qeshm | Hormuz Island | 7:00 AM | 2:00 PM |
| Hormuz Island | Qeshm | 8:00 AM | 3:00 PM |
| Bandar Abbas | Hormuz Island | 6:30 AM 9:00 AM | 1:00 PM 5:00 PM |
| Hormuz Island | Bandar Abbas | 7:00 AM 11:00 AM | 2:30 PM 7:00 PM |
How to Get to Qeshm Island?
After reading about interesting things to do in Qeshm, are you planning a trip? With convenient transportation options, getting to Qeshm is the first step to discovering its hidden treasures. Here are the best ways to get to the Qeshm island:
By flight
Qeshm has an airport and you can arrive here by flight from some major cities in Iran and also from Dubai.
By passengers ferry
You can take a ferry to Qeshm Island from Bandar Abbas. Also, you can arrive in Bandar Abbas by flight, train, or bus and then take a ferry to Qeshm. The ferry from Bandar Abbas to Qeshm is every 30 minutes and takes about 45 mins Start from 7 am to 11 pm. It is also possible to take a ferry from Hormuz Island to Qeshm Island.
By direct bus
Qeshm is also connected to mainland Iran by car ferry. So, you can also sometimes find direct bus from some major cities in Iran to Qeshm island
