Greek Ship (Khoula F)

Rusting cargo vessel beached on the southwest shore since 1966

The Khoula F — universally known as the Greek Ship — is a rusted cargo steamship that ran aground on the southwest reef of Kish Island in 1966 and never left. Decades of salt air and sun have turned it a deep orange-brown, and it sits half-submerged in shallow turquoise water like a piece of accidental sculpture.

At low tide you can wade out and get close. The hull is heavily encrusted with barnacles and coral is starting to claim the lower sections — it makes for surprisingly good snorkelling. The area around the wreck has become an informal coral garden. Rent snorkelling gear on the island and bring it with you; there's nothing at the site. The best light is in the late afternoon when the sun drops toward the water.

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A story
The ship is locally called the "Greek Ship" but its real name was Khoula F, a Greek-owned cargo vessel. It ran aground on the reef in 1966 and was too difficult to salvage — so it stayed. Over six decades, it has transformed from a shipwreck into one of Kish's most iconic images, especially at sunset.

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