Between the north coast of Qeshm and the mainland, the shallow waters of the Khuran Strait shelter one of the largest mangrove forests in the Persian Gulf. Locals call the grey mangrove tree hara. Its roots breathe through little spikes that stick up from the mud, and its leaves sweat out the salt of the seawater.
Small boats leave from the village of Tabl and glide through channels between the trees at high tide. The forest is part of a UNESCO biosphere reserve and a haven for birds — herons, egrets, cormorants and, in winter, many migratory species. At low tide the forest floor appears, alive with crabs and mudskippers.
Highlights
- Boat trip through the mangrove channels
- Herons, egrets and migratory birds
- Breathing roots rising from the mud
- Crabs and mudskippers at low tide
Gallery
