Hormuz Island

Hormuz Island lies at the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz, 8 kilometres from Bandar Abbas in Hormozgan Province. The island's original name was Hormuz or Hormozd, derived from the words "Khormuz" or "Khormugh", meaning anchorage. Today the island is known as Hormuz. Because of its special geographic position and its proximity to the Strait of Hormuz, the island is known as the "Key to the Persian Gulf". Geologically, Hormuz Island is a salt dome, and across large parts of it you can see crystal salt and volcanic deposits produced by geological activity. For this reason the island is also known as the "Geologists' Paradise", since it holds many kinds of soil in a variety of colours, the products of different geological events.

The Red Beach of Hormuz Island is known for its red soil, which has taken on its red colour from the minerals and iron oxide in the earth. This red soil is edible: the islanders use it to make a kind of sauce called "Soragh" and use it in their local dishes. The beach has a remarkable setting, because not only is its soil red, but the place where the sea water meets the shore also turns red.

Most of Hormuz Island is made up of its salt dome, where various types of crystal salt and edible salt are found. In an area called the Salt Goddess, there is a mountain range of salt crystal, whose walls are made of crystal salt, and passages with salt walls can be seen. At the southernmost point of the island's coast lies the Valley of Statues, named for the strange and astonishing shapes that the chemical erosion of its rocks and cliffs has created. The valley calls to mind images of different creatures for visitors. At the end of this valley there is a high point that offers visitors a sweeping view of the Persian Gulf.