Rain Makes Iran's Hormuz Island Beach Red

Screenshot via X @visitiran

JAKARTA - Rain on Hormuz Island, Iran, had changed the color of the coastline. The runoff flowing over the beach changed the color of the water to a dark red, strengthening the iron-rich soil on the island and bringing it to the sea.

This beach is known for its bright red sand and cliffs, which are formed by high concentrations of iron oxides.

When it rains, as it did on Tuesday, the red mud flows towards the coastline, coloring the beach and the surrounding waters and creating a sharp contrast with the blue waters of the Persian Gulf.

As reported by Associated Press, the phenomenon attracted the attention of tourists, photographers, and social media.

Apart from its visual appeal, the red soil - locally known as gelak - is exported in limited quantities and used in the production of cosmetics, pigments, and some traditional products.

Hormuz Island is located in the Strait of Hormuz, where the Persian Gulf meets the Gulf of Oman, about 1,080 kilometers (670 miles) south of Iran's capital, Tehran.

The footage shows Red Beach during today's rain on #Hormuz Island, southern #Iran. pic.twitter.com/hnjaVexb0A

— Iran's Today (@Iran) December 16, 2025

Rainfall is relatively rare on this arid island, and most of it occurs during the winter and early spring.

The island has become a popular tourist destination for visitors interested in its unique landscape.