Located on the north east of the Persian Gulf with a minimum distance of 17 km from the southern offshore of the mainland Iran, the Kish island with an area of 90 square kilometres is one of the most marvelous and most beautiful regions of the Persian Gulf and has attracted the attention of many tribes and nations since times immemorial. Oval in shape, the island is 15 km long and 8 km wide. The island is largely flat, sandy and uncultivated, with a high point of 45 meters above sea level. Although very hot and humid in summer, it has got a pleasant weather from about November to March, with an annual average temperature of 27 degrees centigrade. Its beautiful coast is covered with white silvery sand washed by azure blue waves of the sea. Already a famous island, Kish owes it present flourishing to its status as Iran’s first and, for a long time, the only free port, and its sweet water.

Kish has a long history of about 3, 000 years, being called under various names such as Kamtina, Arakia, Arakata, and Ghiss in the course of time. The island was known for the quality of its pearls; when Marco Polo was visiting the imperial court in China and remarked on the beauty of those worn by one of the Emperor’s wives, he was told that they had come from Kish. The island fell into decline in the 14th century when it was supplanted by Hormoz. It remained obscure until just before the victory of the Islamic Revolution, when it was developed as an almost private retreat for the Shah and his privileged guests, with its own international airport, palaces, luxury hotels and restaurants and even a grand casino. Shortly after the Revolution the new government appointed a very abled team of managers under Kish Free Zone Organization, KFZO, (formerly KIDO, Kish Island Development Organization) to establish Kish as a free zone, taking advantage of the facilities already in place.

The pace of development over recent years has been remarkable, outstripping anything found on the mainland. Nowadays the east coast of the Island resembles a vast building site, and already KFZO intend to develop Kish as a top-class regional holiday centre, particularly for foreign tourists and those interested in investment here. The island has got more than 15 tourist lodging complexes, including villas, hotels, guest houses, etc. Some of the most important accommodation facilities are: Kish Grand Hotel, Goldis Hotel, Saha Hotel, Tat Tours, Venus, Kish Elit, Marjan Kish, Simorgh, Didaniha, Morvarid Kish, Ferdows Kish, Dolphin, and Eram Kish Villas.

Availability of power and water supplies, advanced telecommunications systems, very modern transportation facilities, reliable monetary and banking systems, welfare and health care centres, restaurants, sport centers, as well as tax and duty visa exemption for foreigners, entry and exit permit for capitals and profits obtained, and a lot more are part of promising elements for a splendid and prosperous future for the island.

Kish is a place apart: it has its own distinctive flag, and even the vehicle registration plates are marked in both English and Persian, unlike anywhere else in Iran. In fact almost everything is marked in English, in preparation for what’s hoped will be a great influx of foreign visitors in the near future. Since all sorts of high-class facilities are made available here, one could say that this island is unlike anywhere in Iran.

The bulk of developments are planned to be completed by 1994, but whatever exist in Kish in terms of facilities for tourists in addition to its beautiful and fascinating seashores, marvelous natural sightseeing, and scenery, make it a unique paradise of tourists. Here you can go boating, swimming, diving, fishing, and jogging all along the seashore and have a cheerful and unforgettable stay. In Kish Aquarium, beautiful schools of coloured fish have been gathered by visiting of which you will get the impression of having arrived at an incredible picture of the world under the deep warm waters of the Persian Gulf. Pearl Culturing and Developing Centre is the next most attractive place worth a visit. In case you decide to fly over the shiny green waters of the Persian Gulf, a helicopter shuttle service is also available. You may also use the same shuttle to fly to the Hendurabi Island 24 km from Kish and enjoy its recreational facilities. If you are interested in historical monuments, you are recommended to see the historical city of Harireh, erected back in the 8th century AD, and mentioned in Golestan (Rose Garden) of Sa’di, outstanding Iranian poet. Another amusement available here, are the Iranian typical music, concerts, and plays frequently held on the Kish Summer Cinema.

A final remark: In Kish, authorities welcome any foreign and association investment proposals.

ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS

AIRPORT:
Airport Information 2100, 2460

CAR HIRE:

2500
CITY TELEPHONE CODE NUMBER:

07653
DRUG STORE (24-HOUR):

Red Crescent 2115
EMERGENCIES:

See under MEDICAL SERVICES
GOVERNOR’S OFFICE:

Investment Department of Kish Free Zone Organization, Sohrab-e Sepehri Ave, 2141-2
Port 2264
Kish Trading Company, Sohrab-e Sepehri Ave, 2910-11
MEDICAL SERVICES:

Hospital: 2211
MINIBUS SERVICE:

2291.

POLICE STATION:

2143
POST AND TELECOMMUNICATION:

3333
RESTAURANTS:

Goldis, on the ground floor of Goldis Hotel. Tel: 2771-4
Gharch, in Kish Hotel. Tel: 2237
Mir Mohana, on the eastern coast of Kish.
Sahel, consisting of three separate units.
Kakh, good for Iranian and sea foods.
Traditional Tea House and Derakhte Sabz, in the north east of Kish.
Padideh Marjan, next to Marjan Complex and overlooking the sea.
Pars Khalij, the most suitable eating place.
TAXI AGENT:

2200
TOURIST MAP:

Available in English and Persian
TOURIST OFFICE: