Facts about Astola Island

Located approximately 25km away from the mainland, Astola is the largest offshore island of Pakistan. The island is uninhabited, and this has allowed marine and wildlife to flourish there.

The island has no hotels or place to stay, so if anyone decides to stay on the island they must bring their own camping equipment like tents, sleeping bags and blankets.

Some Info About the Island:

• According to a Greek historian the island was discovered by Alexander the Great’s naval fleet.
• The island has a length of 6.7km and a width of 2.3km.
• It has an area of approximately 6.7km²
• Wildlife flourishes on the island. Astola’s beaches are a nesting ground for the Green Sea Turtle and Hawksbill Sea Turtle. Both of these turtle species are endangered.
• The island has little vegetation that includes just a few shrubs and trees.
• It has an old lighthouse that’s not used anymore.
• The water near the shore is transparent and you can see the turtles and fish swimming inside the sea.
• Astola also has a small mosque which is used by fishermen who come from the mainland.
• There are also the ruins of an ancient temple on the island. The temple belonged to the Hindu Goddess Kali.
• The highest point of the island is 75m above sea level. It takes about 3 hours to reach the island from the mainland.

Unfortunately, the ecosystem of the island has been somewhat damaged. Cats and rats left behind by fishermen from the mainlands, have been a threat to turtle and bird nesting sites on the island.