Inside Iran’s Edible Red-Sand Island Where Rain Turns the Sea Crimson

March 13, 2026, 10:40 pm

While the common notion of the island might depict a scene of golden sand and blue-green water, the reality is quite different. There is an island called Hormuz Island located in the Strait of Hormuz off the southern coast of Iran. This island is popular not only for its vibrant colors but also for the unique properties of the sand on the island. The sand on the island is edible. The islanders call the red-colored sand “gelak.” This island is all the more interesting when it rains. During such times, the iron content of the sand dissolves into the sea water. This gives the sea a deep red hue. This island is thus called the “Rainbow Island.”

A Colorful Island in the Strait of Hormuz

Hormuz Island is located at the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most strategic waterways in the world. Despite its small size, the island has some of the most unusual landscapes in the region.

The island is also called the “Rainbow Island” by tourists who visit the destination. The name is derived from the unique hills and beaches that have colors like red, yellow, orange, and brown. The soil composition is rich in minerals. Iron oxide is predominant in the soil composition of the island. The red color is derived from the presence of iron oxide.

The island attracts tourists who want to see the beautiful valleys and cliffs. The destination is also popular among photographers who want to take unique photographs. However, one unique feature of the destination is the red soil that is also edible.

The Island Where the Sand Is Edible

The red soil on Hormuz Island has cultural as well as practical significance for the people. The red soil is known as “gelak.” The people use it for various purposes.

The people grind the red soil to make a fine powder. Then they use it as a natural dye. The red soil is used for artistic purposes. People use it for the manufacture of cosmetics.

The most surprising use of the red soil is in the local cuisine. The people of the southern region of Iran add a small quantity of the red soil to the local dishes. The red soil acts as a coloring as well as a flavoring agent.

For example, the red earth is used to prepare the sauce that accompanies the bread and the seafood. Although the idea of eating the earth may seem strange to foreigners, the custom is still a traditional one.

The unique consumption of the edible sand on Hormuz Island has made the island one of the most unique destinations in the world.

A Landscape Shaped by Minerals

The geology of the island provides a rationale for its color as well as its culinary use. On Hormuz Island, for example, there are huge deposits of iron oxide, particularly in the form of a compound called hematite, which gives the soil its characteristic color.

Thousands of years of natural action have shaped the hills, cliffs, and beaches on the island into what they are today. The deposits of minerals have given rise to the bright color of the island.

As a result of its geology, the soil on the island is richer in color than what is normally found in a desert or a coastline environment. The red color of the soil covers a number of hills and beaches on the island, giving it a striking look.

The richness in minerals on the island has given rise to its environment as well as its culture.

When Rain Turns the Sea Crimson

Another rare phenomenon, which is naturally occurring, can be seen on Hormuz Island. This phenomenon attracts the attention of the whole world. The phenomenon occurs due to the rain that falls on the island.

When rain falls on the island, water flows from the hills and cliffs. The water carries red soil, which is rich in iron, towards the coast. When the water finally hits the coast, the water gets mixed with the sea water.

This mixture causes the sand on the coast to turn deep red. The red sand forms a beautiful contrast with the blue water of the Persian Gulf.

According to reports from the Associated Press, the videos and images of the event have gone viral online. The immediate thought that comes to the minds of online viewers is that the water looks mysterious or scary. However, the scientific explanation for the change in watercolor is that rainwater contains iron oxide particles, which mix with the water.

When the rain stops, the water turns back to its original color.

A Rare Spectacle in an Arid Climate

Usually, the climate on Hormuz Island is dry. However, rain is not common on the island. When rain occurs, it happens during the winter or early spring. There are showers from time to time during the winter or early spring.

On the occasions when rain happens, the red water event draws the attention of photographers, tourists, and the curious. The event draws the crowd to the coastal areas to witness the event.

Although the event lasts for a short time, it makes a lasting impression on the viewer. The event, together with the edible soil, colorful landscape, and the rain, makes Hormuz Island a fascinating place.

Nature, Culture, and Curiosity in One Place

Hormuz Island is a unique blend of natural science and cultural heritage. The iron content in the soil gives the island a colorful landscape. The same soil is responsible for the artistic and culinary activities carried out here.

However, rain showers sometimes give the shoreline a crimson hue. The spectacle is one of nature’s greatest wonders. What seems to be a scene from a fantasy world is actually a result of the intense relationship between geology and meteorology.

For tourists, Hormuz Island is more than just a place to view a beautiful landscape. It is a place that teaches one how people live in harmony with nature and transform its resources into cultural activities. The sand beneath your feet here is a story in itself.