Hormuz Island: Iran’s Colorful Island
Iran‘s Hormuz Island is celebrated for its colorful soil and unique rock formations. Hormuz Island’s blood red soil has been used for art projects and even a few culinary creations—including thin, crispy bread sprinkled with bright red dashes of dirt.

The island’s otherworldly yellow, orange, red, and iridescent opal-like terrain has inspired countless artists. Dr. Ahmad Nadalian established a museum and gallery that showcases brightly colored artworks that mirror the many colors and textures of Hormuz Island. Dr. Nadalian routinely creates artwork in the island’s sand. Dr. Nadalian created a bike with tires that allows the rider to leave messages of peace in the sand as they cruise around the beach. Hormuz Island is a hiker’s paradise populated by unusual rocks that look like giant seashells, boulders made of gold, and mountains that look as though they were imported from Mars. The jagged, colorful rocks of Silence Valley will leave you speechless.
UnusualPlaces Field Notes
- Access
- Iran’s official travel guide describes three-wheel motorcycles as local passenger transport on Hormuz and lists Portuguese Castle, Rainbow Cave and Valley, Red Beach, Mofannagh Beach, Tak Derakht Beach and Sang-e Marjan Beach. It does not publish a current island entry schedule or fee. Safety: as of 2026-09-22, the UK FCDO advises against all travel to Iran; check current official advice for your nationality before considering travel.
- Facts checked
- 2026-09-29
Explorer Passport
Next badge: Trail Scout
Unlocked after exploring 5 different unusual places.
0 of 5 places explored
Discover more from Unusual Places
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.


gigs up fbi…we know iran is fake like ukraine…time to come home and work at mcdonalds instead of forcing prisoners to work there