Question: Hi,

I'm an American thinking of traveling to Kish at the end of the month from Dubai. Is there still a ferry going from DXB? Can anybody suggest some relatively cheap hotels?

I'm a journalist and am slightly concerned about the authorities when entering. Won't be bringing anything incriminating save for a blank notebook and would only be writing some travel stuff about the island. Do Americans get searched/grilled upon entry?

Thanks.

Answer: Kish is a 91.5 km² resort island in the Persian Gulf. It is part of the Hormozgan Province of Iran. After Sharm el-Sheikh and Dubai, Kish Island is the purported to be the third most visited vacation destination city in the Middle East.

Iranian New Year exactly happen at the end of March and Kish is the most touristy island in Iran due to its free trade zone status which is touted as a consumer's paradise, with numerous malls, shopping centers, tourist attractions, and resort hotels. So the influx of the Iranian visitors, something about 1 million people visit the island annually, causes price duplication in the whole island which includes hotels as well.

Foreign nationals wishing to enter Kish Free Zone from legal ports are not required to obtain visas prior to travel. Valid travel permits are stamped for 14 days by airport and Kish port police officials.

As an American, if you are a journalist passport holder, you may be searched more and be under concentration while exploring the island.

For the ferries schedule please have a look at http://www.valfajr.ir/Default.aspx?tabid=159.