A fifteen-minute drive from Bushehr and you’re standing on Sheef Island’s quiet sand, watching age-worn dhows sun themselves in the shallows while fishermen mend their nets — pure, unfiltered coastal life.
Southern Iran is always full of surprises, but Sheef Island is one of those places few people have heard about. This small island near Bushehr (Bushehr Province, Persian Gulf) is home to people whose lives have been intertwined with the sea for centuries. There is none of the noise of big cities here; days begin with sunrises and the sound of fishermen’s oars and end beneath a star-filled sky.
Sheef Island is a small sandy island north of Bandar Bushehr in the heart of the Persian Gulf. The island lies about 12 kilometres northwest of Bushehr city.
Sheef sits in a low-lying area adjacent to the Helleh Wetland (formed from the combined flows of the Shapur and Dalaki rivers). Administratively, Sheef Island is part of Angali Rural District, in Bushehr County, Bushehr Province.
Address / Location: Sheef Island — Bushehr Province, northwest of Bushehr city.
Unlike many other Persian Gulf islands that are accessible only by boat, Sheef Island is connected to the mainland by a road, so you don’t need a boat or dhow to reach it. This road — built in 2009 (1388 in the Iranian calendar) — is a unique causeway that gives the feeling of crossing the sea as you drive.
To get to Sheef, take Sadra Road from Bushehr and you can reach the island in under 15 minutes. If you’re coming from other cities, first travel to Bushehr by plane, bus or car and then continue along the road to Sheef.
Bushehr Airport — flight & travel info
Sheef Island is approximately 1,100 kilometres from Tehran by road, a drive that typically takes 13–14 hours.
Sheef Island is only 28 kilometres from Bushehr city and reachable by car along Sadra Road in under 30 minutes.
The distance from Bandar Abbas to Sheef Island is about 750 kilometres, a drive of approximately 9–10 hours.
Borazjan is roughly 70 kilometres from Sheef Island, a journey that takes about one hour by car.
Because of its southern coastal location near the Persian Gulf, Sheef Island has a hot and humid climate. It experiences low annual rainfall and high heat and humidity for much of the year.
The island’s low elevation and position at the mouth of the Helleh Wetland influence its microclimate, so the island is warm and humid for most months.
Kangan Port — an economic maritime hub
Sheef Island is subject to the hot, humid southern climate, so choosing the right season matters. The best time to visit to enjoy Sheef’s pristine nature and calm is autumn and winter, when temperatures are milder and humidity is lower. During these months, the sea is calmer, making boat trips or small excursions safer and more pleasant.
If you want a cheaper, quieter trip, autumn is a good option — travel and accommodation costs are lower than during Nowruz (Persian New Year). Nowruz is a popular travel period and the island can become busier. Summers bring intense heat and high humidity and are not comfortable for many visitors.
Sheef Island, with its unspoilt scenery and dreamlike views, is one of southern Iran’s beautiful islands. Every corner tells a story of the sea and people whose lives are tied to the waves — from old dhows stranded in the sand to fishing boats lined up at the quay.
Below are the island’s main attractions.
The island’s pier is its heartbeat — fishermen head out to sea every day and return with the day’s catch. The pier hums with life: waves striking the wooden piles, fishermen hauling nets and the smell of the sea.
Sitting by the pier, watching these scenes and breathing sea air offers peaceful, memorable moments. For photographers, the pier is one of the best spots to capture authentic imagery of southern Iranian seafaring life.
Sheef’s fish market, adjacent to the pier, is one of the island’s most lively spots. Fresh catches arrive daily, and the market’s atmosphere — waves in the background, the bustle of buyers and sellers — is unique.
Here you can buy fish directly from local fishers and learn firsthand about the islanders’ coastal way of life.
The fish market lies in the island’s north, beside the fishing pier.
Sheef’s sandy beaches are among the island’s most pristine features — ideal for coastal walks and watching the sea. Soft sea breezes and the endless blue horizon make them perfect for rest and sunset-watching.
The beaches are quiet and unspoilt — excellent for strolling, sunset photography and peaceful relaxation.
On a shore corner of Sheef, several old dhows lie half-buried in sand — once seaworthy, now relics of an earlier era. These Galed-up dhows are striking photo subjects and reminders of the island’s maritime history.
The sun’s golden reflection on their weathered hulls makes for particularly dramatic photographs.
Helleh Wetland is a protected area near Bushehr and a rare habitat for migratory birds, fish and aquatic plants. Fed by rivers originating in the Zagros highlands, Helleh supports flamingos, pelicans and many species of ducks during autumn and winter.
If you visit in autumn or winter you may see large numbers of migratory birds — the mix of blue water, golden reeds and bird flocks is picturesque.
Helleh Wetland lies northwest of Bushehr and close to Sheef Island (protected area).
Sheef village is split by a small waterway into two main quarters: Avaasi (Qibla quarter) in the west and Hiara (Sangi) in the east.
A narrow bridge links the two neighborhoods; each has distinctive architectural features. Avaasi has narrow, compact lanes evoking Bushehr’s traditional urban fabric, while Hiara’s lanes are wider with more open spaces.
The village’s traditional houses are built from local materials and, historically, were constructed close together due to long seafaring absences by local men — a pattern intended to improve household security. The village’s maritime vocation has shaped both life and architecture here.
Among historical sites is the shrine of Sheikh Saad in Hiara — an important local monument. The village’s traditional texture, especially in Avaasi, with intertwined alleys and natural shade, provides excellent opportunities for walking, photography and experiencing Bushehr’s coastal culture.
Sheef Island is an important habitat for resident and migratory birds in the Persian Gulf. When the tide rises, birds come closer to the causeway and watching them is a highlight for visitors. The island hosts different bird species in different seasons, enriching its natural appeal.
Vegetation on the island is sparse. Historically, the southern part had fertile soil and green gardens, but as residential areas expanded many of those green spaces have disappeared. Today, vegetation is mostly limited to small household gardens and coastal reed beds in marginal areas.
With pristine beaches and calm atmosphere, Sheef offers several recreational opportunities. One of the most delightful activities is sunrise and sunset watching, when golden and orange hues melt into the Persian Gulf horizon.
Photographing the scene — especially near the mud-embedded dhows — makes a lasting memory. Visitors can walk Sheef’s beaches, visit local sights, swim (where it’s safe), enjoy warm sand and try boat trips around the island.
Boat trips and visiting the fish market give insights into local life and coastal traditions.
Fresh fish and shrimp are among Sheef’s best-known products, thanks to direct catches from the Persian Gulf. Seafood lovers will find buying fresh fish and shrimp from local fishers a highlight.
Sheef does not have formal hotels or official lodgings, but that does not mean there are no accommodation options. Local houses are often rented by residents and visitors can stay in private homes.
For nature fans, camping on the beach is an attractive option — pitching a tent beside the Persian Gulf under a star-studded sky is a memorable experience, though you must bring suitable equipment.
If you prefer full hotel services, the city of Bushehr, a short drive away, has hotels and guest services.
Bushehr souvenirs guide
Historically, Sheef played a major role in regional trade and maritime commerce and was once a strategic point on shipping routes in the Persian Gulf. Until the early 20th century the island fell under the authority of local rulers and its economic fortunes were tied to maritime trade.
At one point Sheef became a hub for goods moving between Tehran, Isfahan and Shiraz to the Persian Gulf; cargoes arrived on the island and then transferred by dhow to final destinations. The island’s ruler collected taxes on traded goods, which provoked local discontent and eventually large uprisings.
During 1948 (1327 in the Iranian calendar) Ahmad Khan Angali controlled the island but, following protests and revolt, he was forced to leave. Many residents who had fled to Bushehr and other areas returned home after his fall. Today, only ruins remain from the palace of Ahmad Khan, a reminder of the island’s political past.
Sheef was formerly known as “Sheikh Saad,” named after a historic figure — Sheikh Saad — reputed to have ruled the island and whose shrine remains there. In 1948 (1327 SH), when Ahmad Khan Angali took control, the island’s name was shortened to “Sheef,” derived from the original “Sheikh” root and reflecting the island’s historical legacy. Locals still sometimes call the island by its older name, Sheikh Saad.
Bring a camera: Sheef is full of photo opportunities.
Best visitation months: autumn and winter; summer is very hot and humid.
The island has limited services — carry essentials with you.
Check sea level/tide changes before exploring coastal areas.
Sheef is a pristine, lesser-known island — do not litter or harm the environment so future generations can enjoy it.
