Qabr-e Nakhoda Island (Captain's Grave Island)

This is one of the uninhabited Iranian islands of the Persian Gulf, located at the mouth of Khor Musa. At the mouth of Khor Musa, north of the channel near the port of Mahshahr, lie three islands: Bouneh, Dara and Qabr-e Nakhoda. At high tide, Qabr-e Nakhoda Island covers 2.4 hectares, but at low tide wide sandbanks emerge from the water and join it, increasing its area to several hundred hectares. The island is one of the attractions of Mahshahr. Although it is completely flat and its central part is covered with various plants, no fresh water can be found on it and it is entirely unsuitable for habitation.

The island's name goes back to very ancient times. According to the local people of Mahshahr, in the days when hand-rowed boats were used to sail the sea, an unknown captain was travelling with his family across the blue waters of the Persian Gulf when his only daughter fell seriously ill. With no physician within reach and the way back too long, they anchored at this island midway and buried the girl's body there. In fact, it is the captain's daughter who is buried on this island, not the captain himself.

The island is famous not only for its unusual name, but also as an excellent place for many animals to grow and lay their eggs. This has made the island one of the most important ecosystems in Iran and adds to its significance. Terns, the white and sooty gull species, and the crab-plover are among the birds that nest here in great numbers. In addition, birds such as the gull also live there. Animals such as the black rat, monitor lizard, lizards and turtles also live on the island.