Bandar-Laft and the sea, Qeshm Island, Persian Gulf, Hormozgan Province, Southern Iran - stock photo

This image was taken from the top of the hill near in laft (also called Bandar-e-Laft), Qeshm Island, Southern Iran. Qeshm Island is the largest Iranian island, located a few kilometers off the southern coast of Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, Persian Gulf, Hormozgan Province. Qeshm island is reachable by boat from the mainland port cities of Bandar Abbas and Bandar Khamir or from Hormuz Island. Qeshm Island is one of the thee "free trade zones" in Iran. There are about 50 towns and villages in the island. The island has rocky coastlines, virgin beaches, beautiful rock desert and amazing geological formations (shaped by erosion) creating spectacular landscapes. Qeshm island has geosites and was recently designated as a UNESCO Geopark. Its preservation is supported by green tourism activities. Due to its location (and very high temperatures in summer), Qeshm island is not often visited by foreign tourists in Iran. However, Qeshm hosts some of the most incredible landscapes in Iran.