Hormuz is a small island in the Strait of Hormuz, a short boat ride from Bandar Abbas on the Iranian mainland. It is a genuinely strange and beautiful place — the landscape is almost lunar, with vivid red, orange, and yellow soil that locals use as spice (the "red earth" is edible and used in cooking). The beaches on the south side of the island shimmer with mineral colours unlike anything you have seen before.
The main historical attraction is the Portuguese Fort of Our Lady of the Conception, built in the early sixteenth century when Hormuz was a major hub of the spice trade. The Portuguese, Dutch, and English all fought over this strategic island, and the imposing fort — now largely in ruins — still dominates the promontory just past Hormuz town. The surrounding walls and bastions are atmospheric, especially at sunset.
The southern part of the island is dominated by Rainbow Valley, where the soil runs through bands of red, ochre, violet, and yellow — the product of different mineral concentrations in the rock. The beaches on the south shore shimmer with iron-oxide colour unlike any other beach in Iran.
Getting there is straightforward: regular ferries and speedboats leave from the Shahid Haghani port in Bandar Abbas several times a day. The crossing takes about 30 minutes. The island has a few basic guesthouses but most visitors come as a day trip. Be prepared for serious heat — Hormuz is one of the hottest places in Iran.