Sea route reopens as tourists return to Kish after two-month pause
Iran’s Kish Free Zone Organization said on Saturday it has resumed maritime travel for tourists to Kish Island, reopening a key leisure corridor after two months of wartime restrictions, with the first passenger vessel docking earlier in the day.
The move follows the lifting of limits imposed after the outbreak of the war on February 28, which led to a suspension of flights to the Persian Gulf resort island after attacks by US-Israeli forces.
During that period, sea routes served as the sole lifeline, though access was restricted to residents, business operators, and those with immediate family ties on the island.
On Saturday, the first group of tourists arrived aboard the passenger vessel Berlian, sailing the Bandar-e Charak–Kish route, marking a cautious restart of the island’s tourism flow. Authorities described the reopening as a “gradual normalization” of travel conditions.
In its statement, the organization urged travelers to secure accommodation in advance, noting that many hotels remain temporarily closed as services scale back up.
Officials said efforts are underway to fully restore air connectivity. Managing Director of Kish Free Zone Organization Mohammad Kabiri said the island has been prioritized in coordination with the Civil Aviation Organization, expressing hope that flights to Kish International Airport will resume in the coming week.
Kish, a flagship tourism hub in southern Iran, is known for its coral beaches and duty-free commercial zones, drawing both domestic and regional visitors.