Bandar Charak

Bandar Charak is a town in Shibkuh District of Bandar Lengeh County, in Hormozgan Province, on the shore of the Persian Gulf. Because of its proximity to Kish Island and the sea route between the port and Kish, it has special importance for tourism and transport. The town is about 32 kilometres from Kish, and many travellers who plan to reach the island by an overland route use Bandar Charak. It is one of the region's old towns, and according to the available sources its history goes back to the Zand era. In later periods it also lay on the maritime trade route and was the seat of the Al Ali rulers. In addition, construction of the Bandar Charak jetty began in 1373 (Solar Hijri) and it came into service in 1374, strengthening its role in moving passengers and supporting traffic between the mainland and Kish.

For tourists, the most important feature of Bandar Charak is its jetty and its sea connection with Kish Island. On this route, both passenger vessels and landing craft, which carry vehicles and cargo, operate. Besides the jetty, the town's attractions include Bandar Charak Coastal Park, the Persian Gulf beach and the fishing jetty. Watching the fishing boats, walking along the shore and photographing the sea views are popular activities among visitors. Al Ali Fort is also one of the town's historic buildings and dates from the Qajar era. On a trip to Charak you can also get to know part of the culture and life of the people of southern Iran, and buy products such as dates, woven palm-leaf handicrafts, chanteh (traditional woven bags), jewellery and seafood. Local dishes such as havari, shrimp dopiaza, goboli with meat and chamchamu are also among the foods you can try in this area.

To reach Bandar Charak overland, you can travel to the town by private car or bus, using the routes from the south of the country; the distance from Tehran to Charak is reported to be about 1,400 kilometres. The port has no airport or railway station. For air or rail travel, you can use the airport or train station in Bandar Lengeh or Bandar Abbas and continue by road. The mild season, especially from Azar to Bahman (roughly late November to early February), is a better time to visit Bandar Charak, because summer and the hot months in this region bring intense heat and high humidity. When using the jetty and boats, you should also check the departure schedule and sea weather conditions. When visiting the beach and the town, help protect the region's natural and cultural environment by keeping the surroundings clean, respecting the privacy of local residents and not leaving litter behind.