Tehran: Heavy rainfall on Hormuz Island in southern Iran has transformed parts of the island’s shoreline into a striking crimson landscape, drawing widespread attention online and captivating visitors on the ground.
Following intense downpours, rainwater swept through the island’s mineral-rich slopes, washing deep red soil into the sea and across the sand at a stretch of coastline locally known as Red Beach. Videos and photographs shared on social media show streams of red-tinted water flowing into the ocean, temporarily colouring the shoreline and nearby waters an intense shade of crimson.
Hormuz Island, located in the Strait of Hormuz, is well known for its unique geology and colourful terrain. The island’s soil contains high concentrations of iron oxide and other minerals, which give it its distinctive red, yellow and orange hues. When heavy rain occurs, these minerals are carried downhill, creating dramatic natural displays that appear almost otherworldly.
Geologists say the phenomenon is entirely natural and harmless, though its visual impact is rare and short-lived. The red colour comes from iron-rich sediments that are easily mobilised during rainfall, experts have explained in past studies of the island’s terrain. Once the rain subsides and tides shift, the colour gradually fades as sediments settle or disperse.
The dramatic scenes quickly gained traction across social media platforms, with users describing the shoreline as looking like a river of blood or a painted sea. Many praised the island’s raw beauty, while others expressed amazement at how nature can transform familiar landscapes so suddenly.
Hormuz Island has become an increasingly popular destination for eco-tourism and photography, attracting visitors interested in its salt caves, rainbow mountains, and unusual beaches. Local guides say events like this highlight the island’s fragile ecosystem and the importance of preserving its natural features.
Authorities have not issued any safety warnings related to the phenomenon, noting that the red tides seen on Hormuz Island differ from harmful algal blooms, which are sometimes referred to by the same name. Instead, the colouration is purely geological.
As rainfall patterns continue to shift across parts of the region, residents and visitors alike are being reminded of nature’s ability to create moments of striking beauty – fleeting scenes that exist briefly before returning the landscape to its familiar tones.
