Hengam Island

Sothern Iran is a land of wonders and Hengam Island is an adorable piece of it! No cars, no streets, and no fancy hotels! Just pleasant peace, clear water, scenic beaches, raw nature, and genuine people! It is this unique magnetism that attracts many visitors of the nearby Qeshm Island Geopark to this lovely little island in the Persian Gulf. Stay with me and let me show you around the beauties and secrets of this must-see destination.

Why Hengam Island is a must-see?

• Hengam Island is one of the most eye-catching Islands in the Persian Gulf.
• At times during the year, this island is host to a group of delightful dolphins.
• The outstanding traditions and local culture add to its popularity.
• It is home to one of Iran’s loveliest and most traditional bazaars.
• Watching fish and other sea animals in the clear water of Hengam is a pleasant delight.
• You can experience watching crabs up close.
• You may catch sight of Uromastyx aegyptia and Indian gazelles.
• For reaching Hengam Island, you will experience a pleasant boat ride in Persian Gulf waters.

Hengam Island Geography

This island is 33.6 km² and is two kilometers to the southeast of Qeshm Island. It has a semi-cone shape, and reaches up to 106 m of altitude on its Nakas Mountain. The widest part of the island (from the Old Hengam Village to the New Henagam Village) is about 9 kilometers, and the narrowest part of it is about 5 kilometers. This beautiful island includes 3 villages: the Old Hengam, the New Hengam (or Mashi), and Ghil (or Qil).

Hengam Island: the Maldives of Iran

Hengam is a precious little island in the Persian Gulf. Despite its small size and modest facilities, this lovely island is a great host. On a trip to Hengam Island, your first pleasure will be a memorable boat ride in the shining waters of the Persian Gulf. But the rest of your trip to a piece of our world where there are no cars, no streets, and no hustle and bustle will be the real treat. The kindness, peace, simplicity, and hospitality of the natives of Hengam is also another charm of the place. There, everything is in harmony for the creation of perfect peace and sweetest memories.

The Charms of Hengam Island

Hengam Island is a small land that opens up a different world before you. You just need to know where to look:

1. The Beautiful Beaches of Hengam

Nothing would be quite like spending some time beside the Persian Gulf and giving yourself to the rhythm of the rise and fall of its waves. Hengam Island is surrounded on all sides with this blue realm. On each piece of its 50-km beachline, Hengam gives a distinct manifestation of beauty. Whether you step on its rocky beaches or enjoy a barefoot walk on its sandy shores, Persian Gulf wouldn’t miss to impress you with its magnificence.

2. The Silver Beach of Hengam

The Silver Beach of Hengam Island stands out from other beaches in Iran. The glittering minerals inside the shore’s sand have given a sparkling look to this breathtaking beach. Many tourists travel the long distance to Hengam Island just to catch sight of this beautiful beach. But don’t count on definitely seeing this part of the Island. Because of the damages that tourists have caused to this beach, some entry limitations have been set. If you join one of the tours of Qeshm Island and Kandaloo harbor, you can please your eyes with the beauty of this beach from a boat. You can also take a boat from Kandaloo to Hengam and ask the captain to show you the Silver Beach.

3. The Glowing Beaches of Hengam

At times during the year, the beaches of Hengam Island look magical. When it gets dark, the water and the sand around it start glowing with a beautiful shade of blue. What causes this incredible sight? When a large number of phytoplanktons gather together, they make the beach glow like a starry night.  This phenomenon is a charming sight also found in the beaches of Maldives and California.

4. Wild Life in Hengam Island

Hengam Island is also an ideal destination for wild life lovers. Animals like dolphins, hawksbill turtles, and a kind of lizard known as uromastyx aegyptias live in or around this island. The island is also home to chinkaras, a kind of gazelle that often lives in the hot deserts of India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran.

5. The Delights of the Island: its Dolphins

When fall arrives, the waters of Persian Gulf become hosts to joyful, playful and friendly guests: dolphins. These dolphins find their way to Hengam Island in mid-fall and stay there until mid-spring. Thirteen of the total 42 species of dolphins have reportedly been recorded in the waters of Iran. Only minutes after your boat gets to the middle of water, the dolphins come to the surface and show off the beauties of their free life.

6. An Aquarium in the Middle of Persian Gulf

Somewhere near Hengam Island is a place known as the aquarium. There, the water is so clear that you can easily see beautiful sea animals of different colors. I know you might like to feed them and enjoy the way they surround your boat, but please don’t. Feeding them can harm them in one way or another.

7. The Red Soil of Hengam

From the beautiful Islands of Persian Gulf, it is Hormuz that is famous for its red soil. But you should know that this kind of soil is also among the attractions of Hengam. The red soil found on the red mountains and lands of Hengam is used in industry, decoration and construction. But what makes this soil different is that it is edible and natives use it in their local food.

8. The Local Bazaar of Hengam Island

 The bazaar of Hengam is one of the most special bazaars around Iran. The indigenous building materials give you a taste of the island’s sweet traditional lifestyle. There, vendors clad in the colorful local clothes sell you their beautiful shell handicrafts. But the gorgeous bazaar of Hengam is not just a place for shopping, it is a chance to have a genuine contact with the locals and hear stories about the sea.

9. The Mother and Daughter Rock

Near Qil Village, you can find human shaped rocks that have a special place in the local folklore. Based on this local story, a long time ago, a mother and daughter were running away from a group of bullies. Helpless, they started praying and asked God to help them. So God turned them into stone to protect them from danger. Today, this piece of rock has become one of the attractions of Hengam.

10. The Palm Orchards of Hengam

One of the beauties of southern Iran is its orchards of towering palms. Hengam Island is also home to these attractive orchards. You can taste the sweet dates of these trees in the local bazaar of Hengam.

What to Do In Hengam Island

This special island, its precious nature, and its lovely culture treat you to a wide range of entertainments:

1. Enjoying the Company of Dolphins

One of the most magnetic charms of a trip to Hengam Island is seeing its cheerful dolphins. Remember that the best time to visit them is early in the morning. Locals believe that dolphins don’t come up to the surface when the sea is rough. They choose the warm waters of the Persian Gulf for breeding and start traveling toward the Gulf of Oman and ocean from around April. So, if you like to see them, choose the best season.

2. Strolling Around the Local Bazaar

The local Bazaar of Hengam is one of the few bazaars where you can find no trace of modernity. From handicrafts and local spices, to different kinds of oils, everything in this bazaar has a traditional taste. Plus, the prices are so reasonable that make shopping in this bazar a must.

3. Photography

A trip to Hengam Island is one of those trips that make you constantly want to capture the moments. From beautiful animals and scenic beaches, to the lovely traditional ambiance, there are so many rare sights that you can capture in pictures.

4. Swimming in the Persian Gulf

In Hengam Island, there are no specific swimming beaches, but if you ask the locals, you will be led to the perfect swimming spots. To make your swimming more pleasant, you should be careful about a few things: first of all, never go swimming in the sea alone. Swimming in the sea is different from swimming in a pool and it needs experience. Also, don’t expect to see sea urchins and crabs in a good temper. Watch out for them but don’t worry if they hurt you. The pain will go away in a while and there will be no threat to your health. And finally, don’t forget to take sweet water and bathing supplies with you, because the salt in the water may hurt you.

5. Scuba Diving and Snorkeling

If you’re looking for excitement in Hengam Island, underwater diving would be the best choice. Discovering the colorful fish and amazing creatures living in the sea will become one of your most pleasant memories. To get a ticket for scuba diving or snorkeling, you should find the famous diving centers in the island. Also, if you have the equipment for underground photography, don’t miss the perfect chance the clear water of Hengam creates for you.

6. Food Touring

There is no trace of chic and luxurious restaurants in Hengam Island. But you can find the most delicious food. With fresh ingredients they’ve caught from the sea and a pinch of love and local spices, the dishes the local women prepare for you will be of the most memorable you’ll ever taste.

7. Henna Tattooing

Close your eyes and lend your hands to one of the tattoo artists in Hengam Island. In a few minutes, your hand will turn into a piece of art. Henna tattooing is a traditional custom in southern Iran. The fascinating thing about them is that all of the patterns drawn by these artists are absolutely offhand and improvised. A henna tattoo is brown in the beginning and gradually turns orange. Rubbing a bit of oil on your tattoo can make it last longer.

8. Bird Watching

Hengam Island might not be known as one of the bird watching destinations of Iran. But its nice climate and biodiversity makes it nothing short of Qeshm Island. If you get lucky, you can catch sight of different kinds of birds including gray egrets.

The Best Season to Travel to Hengam Island

Considering that Hengam Island is in southern Iran, there, you have to expect a hot and humid weather. But you can enjoy a pleasant weather at this part of Iran from around mid-fall to mid-spring. And if you’d like to see the dolphins, you’d better plan for December and January.

How to Go to Hengam Island

Hengam Island is only 45 minutes to Qeshm Island. That’s why most of the ones who travel to Qeshm Geopark include a visit to Hengam in their itinerary. To get to Hengam, you’ll have to go to Kandaloo Harbor in Qeshm and get a boat to Hengam. This harbor is about 10 km from Qeshm airport. If you are in Bandar Abbas, get a boat to Qeshm’s Shahid Zakeri Passenger Port and from there make your way toward Kandaloo harbor. If you hit the sea early in the morning, you’ll both enjoy the pleasant wind that blows over the Persian Gulf and have enough time for visiting the island.

Staying in Hengam Island

Usually, most trips to Hengam Island are one-day and visitors don’t spend the night. That’s probably because there are no hotels or motels in the island. So, if you’d like to stay, you can either spend the night at a local house or set up your own camp. The island is a great place for camping. But you need to have enough experience with camping and take all the equipment you need. In the shops you’ll find in the island, you can get essential supplies and food. The locals also serve seafood at very fair prices.

Souvenirs from Hengam Island

On your trip, checking out the local bazaar is a must-do. There you can get local spices, local oils, handicrafts, and jewelry made of sea shells and starfish. To do something for the poor financial situation of the natives of Hengam, you can buy from them.

Like to go on an Adventure in Hengam Island?

Then book a place on our 4-day Hormoz, Qeshm and Hengam tour.