12 ISLANDS OF PAKISTAN YOU NEED TO EXPLORE

Astola Island, also known as Jezira Haft Talar

1. Astola Island

Pakistan’s largest offshore island- Astola, also known as Seven Hills or Haft Talar,is located in Arabian Sea about 25km to the nearest coast and 39km southeast from the fishing port of Pasni. Legends say that Astola was formerly mentioned by Admiral Nearchos in 325 BCE, who was sent by Alexander the Great to explore the coast of the Arabian Sea. It is a picturesque Island that consists of large leaned plateau, a series of seven small rocks, and fissures that are several feet wide can be accessed by motorized boats from Pasni.

2. Churna Island

Churna Island locally known as “Cheerno,” is a small uninhabited island located in the Arabian Sea, about 9km west of theRiver Hub. Mubarak village, the fisherman’s hub, is located 6 km away from the area. You can find many species of fish, crabs, lobsters and rare green turtles here. Churna Island is mostly occupied by the Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Game Fishing Association (PGFA) and there are many activities here, such as a firing range, scuba diving, free diving, underwater photography, camping, trekking, hiking, speed boating, wake tubing, banana tubing, jet skiing, cliff diving and snorkeling.

3. Bundal Island

Bundal Island is located on the Arabian Sea off the coast of Karachi. On Bundal Island there is the tomb of Muslim Sufi Yusuf Shah, which attracts thousands of people on his annualUrs(death anniversary).The Island is now emerging as a global attraction as Bahria Town will be constructing the world’s tallest building, largest shopping mall, sports city, and a media city on Bundal Island.

4. Manora Island

Manora Island is locatedsouth of the Port of Karachi, about a 15 to 20 min boat ride. Manora is connected to the city by a long causeway of Sandspit that extends to Hawkes Bay. It serves as a popular picnic spot because of the long exotic sandy beaches, natural landscapes, tropical forestry and the tallest lighthouse.

5. Shams Pir Island

Shams Pir is situated near Kemari (close to Sandspit Beach and Mauripur). There area plethora of touristy things to do here such as scuba diving, yachting, pedal boating, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, snorkeling and sunbathing, so one must visit this Island.

6. Bukkur Island

Bukkur Island isan isolated fortress situated on a rock in the Indus, between the towns of Rohri and Sukkur.  It is a perfect archeological dig and has been constructed by brick. The interior of this Island was crowded with houses and mosques that showcase the classical Muslim heritage. Now, the Island is occupied by Army Public school and the tomb of SayyidSadruddin.

7. Buddo Island

Buddo Island is another small island located in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Karachi near Bundal Island.

8. Khirprianwala Island

Khiprianwala Island is a small island in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Karachi. The Island inhabits vast number of rare marine species that are precious to explore.

9. Islands of Baba & Bhit:

Baba& Bhit Islands comprises of three small fishing islands in the centre of the Harbour of Karachi. The Islandsserves as a residential hub for several ethnic groups such as Muhajirs,Sindhis, Punjabis, Kashmiris, Seraikis, Pakhtuns, Balochis, Memons,Bohras and Ismailis.

10. Malan Island

Emerging as a mud volcano -Malan Island is located in the Arabian Sea offthe coast of Balochistan. It rose out of the water overnight in March 1999 and alleviated below sea level within a year. It reappeared in 2010.

11. Clifton oyster rocks

The Clifton Oyster Rocks are a series of islands at the coast of the Clifton Karachi. Recently the Karachi city Government decided to include the island under the renovation plans of the city. In efforts to increase visitors on the island, the Government has constructed the world’s second tallest fountain – the Port Fountain – here. It shoots water up to 620 feet in the air.

12. Zalzala Island

Zalzala Koh or Zalzala Jazeera is a small miracle island at the coast of the port city of Gwadar that rose out of water during a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck on 24 September 2013. As predicted by many geologists, it could be a Mud Volcano that emerged with a sudden jolt or it could have been an emission of methane gas on the seabed.