Umm al-Karam Island

Umm al-Karam Island, also known as Umm al-Gorm or Gorm Island, is an uninhabited Iranian coral island off the coast of Bushehr Province in the Persian Gulf. It covers an area of 79 hectares and lies 140 kilometers southeast of the port of Bushehr. Locals commonly call it Gorm Island, because of the mangrove trees on the opposite shore, which the residents call "gorm". Some sources briefly list Gorm separately among the small islands of this area (less than one square kilometer at high tide). However, it seems that Gorm is an appendage of Umm al-Karam Island (Umm al-Gorm), from which it is sometimes separated by the tide.

Umm al-Karam Island is known as a safe refuge for migratory birds. Thousands of birds of various species, such as the sooty tern and the white tern, greater and lesser crested terns, the Caspian gull, and the Socotra cormorant and lesser sand plover, lay eggs and breed on this island. The island is also home to the saw-scaled viper (known locally as the "Jafari snake"), one of the most venomous snakes in Iran. In addition to birds, turtles also lay their eggs in the soft bed of shell sand on Umm al-Karam Island, and especially on Nakhilu Island.

The best time to visit Umm al-Karam Island is from Mehr to Farvardin (roughly October to April). A permit from the Department of Environment is required to visit the island. Because of the island's limited capacity, visiting groups should not exceed 10 people. The island has no accommodation or amenities, so visitors must bring drinking water and dry food with them and stay in the surrounding villages and towns.