Iran’s Hormuz Island, situated in the Persian Gulf, is one of the most strange and beautiful islands in the world. The soil and sand here is the biggest attraction here. People here literally eat sand! Yes, the local people call this special red colored sand “gelak” and apply it like jam on bread and eat it like chutney.
Talking about its taste, it is a little salty, a little sweet and full of minerals. All the tourists who come here are surprised and taste it. Hormuz is also called “Rainbow Island” because the soil and sand here is available in more than 70 colors. You will also find red, yellow, orange, white, green, blue, purple colored sand. The land full of volcanoes and minerals here is also a center of attraction.
sand is jam
The red sand of the island has more iron oxide, so it tastes like iron. Local people have been using it as a spice for centuries. It is common to make guests try Gelak at weddings. But not only the edible sand, Hormuz is also heaven to behold.
Red Beach is the center of attraction here. The red sand here makes it seem as if the entire sea is colored with blood.
Silent Valley: Where there is so much peace that even your own breaths can be heard echoing.
Rainbow Valley: Here, there are wavy hills of dozens of colors at one place.
Carpet Museum: The women here make paintings with colored sand.
Salt Mountain and Crystal Caves: Glowing salt rocks and diamond-like crystals are seen inside. If you take a photo at night, the ocean waves glow blue, which is also called bioluminescence.
The entire island is only 42 square kilometers. Rent a tuk-tuk or scooter and explore from sunrise to sunset. Local guides tell that each color of soil here has different uses. Like it is used in red food, yellow paint, white plaster. The best news is for Indians.
Iran has made Hormuz Island completely visa-free for Indian citizens in 2024-2025. Just show your passport and roam free for 14 days. One can reach here in just 2-3 hours by flight or boat from Dubai or Muscat. It has now become trendy to make Hormuz a side trip in the Dubai-Oman trip.
