SAEDNEWS: Kish Island beckons travelers with its pristine beaches, exhilarating water sports, and luxe shopping—an Iranian gem where ancient history meets modern leisure in the heart of the Persian Gulf.
In this article, we intend to introduce Kish Island and provide you with information about this attractive destination. We will tell you about Kish’s sights so that you can plan your visit to them properly. We will also go over Kish’s recreational activities and introduce the exciting options available on the island. Next, we will take a look at transportation in Kish and the history of this island. Stay with us.
It has a peaceful atmosphere and is an excellent choice for relaxation and getting away from worries.
It offers a wide variety of very suitable facilities for tourists, including hotels of various ratings, equipped villas, restaurants, car rentals, and more.
Exciting water activities and other thrilling recreational options are available on the island.
It has well-equipped beaches (plages) for men and women and is one of Iran’s famous sunbathing destinations.
By traveling to this island, you can go to the shores of the Persian Gulf and delight in watching the sea.
The island hosts numerous festivals, especially during the summer season.
Its shopping centers are very famous, and many people travel here for shopping.
It is considered one of Iran’s luxury travel destinations.
Population: 39,853 people (based on the 2016 census)
Ethnicities: The indigenous people of Kish are of Dravidian, Nordic, Semitic, and African descent; today, however, the number of migrants on the island is also considerable.
Languages: Persian and Arabic
Telephone code: 076 for landlines and 0934 for Kish’s independent mobile network (TKC)
Economy: The foundations of Kish’s economy are built on the tourism industry, and a significant portion of the island’s income comes from this sector. Excellent accommodation facilities, marine clubs offering various water activities, nightly shows, thrilling amusements, shopping centers with prices ranging from cheap to expensive, a tranquil environment, and more—all of these factors draw many tourists to the island. According to statistics, more than 1,700,000 tourists travel to Kish annually.
In addition to tourism, traditional occupations of Kish locals include pearl diving, date palm cultivation, and the export of onions and tobacco.
This island is part of Bandar Lengeh County in Hormozgan Province and is designated a free trade zone.
Kish is one of only four places in the world with a high percentage of pure oxygen; people here feel less fatigued.
In the past, Kish was the only Persian Gulf island with a qanat (underground aqueduct) of fresh water.
Kish first attracted attention as a tourist destination in 1970 (1349 SH) and was selected as an international tourism and trade center.
Kish is shaped roughly like an oval.
There are no permanent rivers on the island; underground fresh water sources are the only supply for residents.
Greek Ship: The island’s most iconic attraction is the beached ship that has sat on the shore since 1966 (1345 SH). Known as the Greek Ship, it has become something of a symbol for the island. Its stunning appearance at sunset is not to be missed.
Kariz of Kish: Also called the Kish qanat or the underground city of Kariz, this network of subterranean passages dates back over 2,500 years. Although never an actual underground city, it now serves recreational and touristic purposes.
Ancient City of Harireh: Dating from the 5th to the 10th centuries AH, this city is listed among Iran’s National Monuments. At its peak, it covered about 120 hectares and comprised coastal buildings, grand mansions, baths, a mosque, glassware workshops, water installations, and qanats.
The Green Tree: The oldest “Lour” tree on the island is known as the Green Tree, estimated to be 500–600 years old. Colored ribbons or cloth pieces are tied to its branches, symbolizing the tree’s sacred status for islanders. People believe it brings good fortune and tie ribbons to its branches to have their wishes fulfilled.
Kish Cistern: Built in 1993 (1372 SH) with two domes and five wind towers to collect surface water near the Green Tree area, this cistern now attracts tourists. Its architecture evokes the traditional Yazdi style, and its decorations recall the engineering architecture of central southern Iranian cities.
Persian Gulf Museum: This striking, pearl-and-shell–shaped building is a cultural, recreational, and touristic complex. The lower section houses four gallery halls, an amphitheater, administrative offices, a café, and a workshop; the surrounding grounds feature a bicycle track.
Turtle Nesting Site: Two species of turtles inhabit the Persian Gulf: the hawksbill and the green turtle. Green turtles often come to Kish’s shores to feed, whereas hawksbills come only from late March to mid-August to lay eggs. On the southern beach, tourists can observe nesting turtles and hatchlings emerging from their eggs.
Water Activities: The most exciting part of visiting the island is experiencing water sports. Kish offers facilities for diving, flyboarding, shuttle rides, banana boat rides, jet skiing, parasailing, and more.
Ocean Water Park: Iran’s first thematic and open-air water park, featuring rides such as the Adrenaline Ride, Rally Ride, Anaconda, Whirlpool, Spiral 1 and 2, Tsunami, multiple pools, and the “Secret of the Sun Castle” storyline, providing an engaging entertainment environment.
Kish Safari: For thrilling moments, consider Kish Safari, which offers safari tours and buggies, as well as bungee shooting, go-karting, suspended ladders, a horror tunnel, and more.
Leisure Cruises: Exploring the Persian Gulf, admiring its beauty, and enjoying lively onboard programs draw many tourists to leisure cruises. Various packages cater to different needs and budgets.
Recreational Pier and Beaches: Kish’s recreational pier is one of the island’s famous attractions, especially bustling at night. The men’s and women’s beaches on Kish are perfect for swimming, sunbathing, or playing beach games such as volleyball.
Shopping: With numerous diverse and attractive shopping centers, Kish is a favorite destination for shopaholics. As a free trade zone, Kish offers an unparalleled variety of goods and brands.
Night Shows and Concerts: Kish’s nightly “jungs” (variety shows) feature comedy theater, impersonations, performances, stand-up, contests, and live music. The island also occasionally hosts concerts by popular pop singers.
Cycling and Motorbiking: Many tourists enjoy exploring the island by bicycle or motorbike. Rentals and scenic routes are available.
Luxury Car Rentals: One unique activity in Kish is renting luxury foreign cars, which are plentiful due to the free trade status. You can rent a high-end vehicle from various agencies and tour the island in style.
Coastal handicrafts such as shell jewelry and decorative shells
Local products like dates, fish, shrimp, and spices
Various imported chocolates, coffees, and snacks
High-quality clothing
Foods of Kish
Foods you must taste when visiting Kish:
Smoked Fish (Samak Mashwi): Fried or grilled fish with spicy Arabic seasonings
Ghalieh Mahi: Fish cooked with herbs and southern spices
Majboos Lahm: Rice cooked with Arabic spices, chickpeas, and raisins, served with meat, chicken, or fish
Accommodation in Kish
Kish offers a wide range of accommodations. You can stay in luxury hotels for a dreamlike experience or choose from villas and suites. During Nowruz (Persian New Year), camping sites are also set up on the island.
Entry to Kish is possible by air or sea:
Kish International Airport
Address: Airport Boulevard
Phone: +98 76 4444 3200, +98 76 4444 3300
Domestic Flights: Tehran, Shiraz, Mashhad, Isfahan, Bandar Abbas, Kerman, Ahvaz, Tabriz, Yazd, Hamedan, Bushehr, Rasht, Kermanshah, Sari, Kashan, Gorgan, Jam, Asaluyeh, Urmia, Sanandaj
International Flights: Dubai, Muscat
Kish Port
Address: Iran Boulevard
Passenger Terminal Phone: +98 76 4423 349
Information Phone: +98 76 4422 300
Boat Destinations: Bandar Chark, Bandar Aftab, Bandar Lengeh (only during Nowruz)
Public transport on Kish is limited to taxi services. If you arrive by plane, you can use rental cars for getting around or rely on taxis and tour operators.
Kish has a hot and humid climate, with an average annual temperature of 26.6 °C. Rainfall is scarce and mostly falls as showers during winter.
Spring: Kish is one of the most popular Nowruz destinations; these holidays are the busiest days on the island. The weather is mild at this time but temperatures rise after Nowruz.
Summer: Extremely hot and humid, yet summer festivals, water activities, beaches, and sunbathing spots continue to attract tourists.
Autumn: With the onset of autumn, the heat gradually diminishes, and by late November, you can expect relatively pleasant weather.
Winter: Winter, especially February, is the favorite season for visiting Kish, offering the best weather and popular shopping conditions.
Overall, the best time to visit Kish depends on personal preference, but from late autumn to early March is recommended for weather considerations.
Under the Elamite and Assyrian kings, Kish held great importance. It served as a stopping point for ships traveling from Susa and the Karun River to the Persian Gulf and onward to northern coasts. Kish was a key provisioning and trading base and a reliable maritime station. Politically and economically, it was somewhat dependent on Elam, and with the decline of that civilization, its status waned. After the Sumerians’ influence ended and the Achaemenids rose, the Persian Gulf saw advanced shipbuilding, signaling, and lighthouses—developments that persisted through the Parthian and Sassanid eras.
Until 23 AH, Kish resisted Arab conquest but was attacked due to its position on the route to Fars and Kerman. Its first Arab ruler was Abdollah Qays, from whom the island took the name Qays. During the first half of the first Islamic century, amid Iranian uprisings against Arab rule, Kish suffered crises and economic decline. Under the Saffarids and especially the Buyids, and later the Seljuks, the island rebounded. Governors of Fars and Seljuk Sultan Malik Shah in the 6th and 7th centuries AH restored its prominence. Wise Iranian ministers maintained this status even after the Mongol invasions.
From 912 to 1031 AH, Kish fell under Portuguese control, enduring hardship until Shah Abbas’s commander Imam Quli Khan drove the Portuguese out of Iran’s southern islands.
Seven years after Karim Khan Zand’s death and the start of the Qajar dynasty, the Persian Gulf faced severe political, security, social, and economic turmoil, affecting its islands. The British first occupied Qeshm to pave the way for further incursions. Amid instability caused by the British, Portuguese, pirates, and the Sultan of Muscat, the British seized Kish in 1248 SH, and by the Constitutional Revolution, it was sold for just 25,000 Toman.
Until the early Pahlavi era, Kish was globally renowned for fishing and pearls, serving as the Persian Gulf’s pearl trade center. The Japanese pearl’s market entry, however, led to the industry’s decline and reduced the island’s importance.
In 1970 (1349 SH), a group of Iranian and American advisers designated Kish as an international tourist center, initiating its development. Modern infrastructure—hotels, an international exhibition center, an airport, a casino, and royal residences—were built. With its pleasant winter climate, Kish became a royal retreat and gained fame.
In 1982 (1361 SH), Kish became Iran’s first free trade zone. Today, tourism and commerce are the island’s main economic activities.
Some believe the name “Kish” means “arrow” or “quiver”—that from the island’s heights, it appears like an arrow in a quiver. However, most people think it derives from “kish,” the deep canal through which qanat water emerges, hence the island’s name.
Notably, in the 2nd century AD, historians referred to Kish as Arianusia, Arion, Venus, Khemyn, or Khyn. Iranian historians named it Kian, Keysh, Gish, Qays, and sometimes mistakenly as Qeshm.
If you have traveled to Kish, share your experiences with us and the Karnawal community.
We look forward to your comments…!
