Kish is a 91.5 square kilometer (35.3 sq. mi) resort island and it is considered as one of the Persian Gulf islands and tourist sites of Hormozgan Province that is located 18 km (12 mi) from mainland Iran’s south shore with the altitude of 30 meters above the sea level in the north range of the Persian Gulf.
Kish enjoys a warm and humid climate but has low rainfall in general. Due to its free trade zone status it is touted as a consumer's paradise with numerous malls, shopping centers, tourist attractions, and resort hotels.
About 1.5 million people visit the island annually. Kish Island was ranked among the world’s 10 most beautiful islands by The New York Times in 2010, and is the fourth most visited vacation destination in Southwest Asia.
Foreign nationals wishing to enter Kish Free Zone are not required to obtain visas prior to travel. Valid travel permits are stamped for 14 days. Therefore, the island enjoys a privileged position in terms of tourism business by special and unique benefits of Kish Free Zone. Free access to the waterways of the world, foreign nationals entry without the visa, strategic location and proximity to oil-rich regions of Assaluyeh, having energy source (gas) independent from the mainland, having an independent airline and shipping lines with the possibility of car carriers, high levels of security and social peace and low level in social ills, convenient transportation facilities within the city, proportional control of environmental pollutants, access and proximity to international ports and cities of the region such as Dubai, Sharjah, Manama and Doha, favorable weather in the 8 months of the year and having the coral beaches are only a few of the island’s benefit.
Fishing, livestock, sailing and trades are the jobs of traditional aboriginals.
Kish people were active in pearling in the past. Island natives are from Dravidian, Nordic, Sami and black races and speak in Persian (Farsi) and Arabic languages.
Kish has a unique and one-of-a-kind nature, as well. Diverse wildlife, plants and native trees, as well as a pleasant climate seven months a year are among the outstanding characteristics of the island.
The surface of Kish Island is covered with coral sands that shine in the sunlight and create a unique and fascinating sight. The clear coastal water allows one to view several meters deep into the sea that is because of the existence of coral reefs near the beach. Kish beach is among the safest in the world.
Kish Island offers a wide selection of restaurants which range from Persian to International cuisines.
Keep It Adventurous & Fun
With the exciting entertainments such as safari, carting, glider, gyrocopter, fly board and bungee jumping the island has become a popular destination for those tourists who have an interest in the exciting entertainments.
Kish acts as the location for numerous international sporting events. Kish is home to a multi-purpose Olympic Stadium seating 1200 spectators; it caters for 11 sports including volleyball, basketball, handball, futsal, gymnastics, wrestling, taekwondo, judo, karate and chess. All of these are supervised by professional and international coaches.