5 islands and coastal destinations near the Strait of Hormuz travellers rarely hear about

The waters surrounding the Strait of Hormuz are typically framed through geopolitics and global shipping. Yet beneath the headlines lies a stretch of coastline dotted with dramatic cliffs, sleepy fishing villages and remote islands that few travellers ever think to visit.
Imperial and peninsular Omani outcrops, as well as volcanic islands with unusual landscapes, offer a wide variety of destinations that the wider international tourist map tends to overlook in the region which are around a narrow waterway known as the strait of Hormuz.
Here are five lesser-known islands and coastal destinations around the Strait of Hormuz that showcase a very different side of this geopolitically crucial region.

The stunning Musandam Peninsula is sometimes called the “Norway of Arabia,” because of its dramatic, fjord-like inlets, or khors. Straddling between the United Arab Emirates and the mainland of Oman, the peninsula protrudes into the Strait of Hormuz, making it one of the Middle East’s most dramatic coastlines.

The region’s principal town, Khasab, is a gateway for travelers interested in dhow cruises through narrow sea channels flanked by steep limestone cliffs. Dolphins are often seen in the waters, and wooden boats remain the dominant means of exploring the region.
In contrast to the mega-cities of the Gulf, Musandam features quiet mountain villages, ancient watchtowers and scenic coastal drives revealing the untamed beauty of the Arabian Peninsula.

Just north of the strategic Strait of Hormuz is Qeshm Island, the largest island in the Persian Gulf and one of Iran’s most unusual landscapes.
Qeshm is home to geological phenomena such as the Valley of Stars, located a little further away from Hormuz: carved by winds and erosion into fantastically shaped rocks that can resemble alien landscapes. The island is also home to mangrove forests, caves and dramatic cliffs facing the Gulf.
Traditional fishing villages and vibrant bazaars provide a window into daily life along this historic maritime corridor. Despite its natural attractions, Qeshm is little known outside of Iran and among international travellers than other Middle Eastern destinations.

A short boat ride from the Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas lies the vividly coloured Hormuz Island.
Often called the “Rainbow Island,” Hormuz is famous for its surreal landscapes of red, orange and yellow mineral-rich soil. The island’s striking terrain includes colourful mountains, salt caves, and red-sand beaches that create an almost painterly landscape.
Visitors who do come here often tour the ruins of a 16th-century Portuguese fort, a vestige of the island’s antique significance as a strategic trading outpost controlling access to the Gulf. Hormuz Island, with all its beauty, is still considered one of the least visited places in the region.

A quiet getaway south of Qeshm, this small island is known for its clear water and marine life.
The island is best known for sightings of dolphins, which lure small numbers of visitors on boat trips from nearby Qeshm Island. Hengam is also home to small fishing villages where traditional ways of life remain mostly intact.
Colourful local markets selling handmade crafts, shells and textiles add to the island’s charm, while its relatively undeveloped coastline gives travellers a rare glimpse of the Persian Gulf before large-scale tourism arrived.

While Musandam as a whole is spectacular, the wider Khasab coastal region itself deserves attention for its remote beaches and mountain landscapes.
From Khasab, travellers can venture deep into Musandam’s fjords by dhow or explore mountain roads that climb high above the Strait of Hormuz, offering sweeping views across the water toward Iran.
The surrounding coastline features hidden coves, quiet fishing settlements and rugged terrain rarely associated with the typically desert landscapes of the Gulf region.
Together, these islands and coastal areas reveal a side of the Strait of Hormuz that many travellers never see, one which is defined not by global trade routes and shipping lanes, but by natural beauty, unique geology and centuries-old maritime cultures.