Ocean Atlas · Red Sea and Arabia

Red Sea and Arabia

Iraq

A very short, muddy Gulf coast near the Shatt al-Arab. Shared as a story only, with no trips.

Indian Ocean humpback dolphin, found in the waters of the wider region · Photo: Afsar Nayakkan, iNaturalist, cc-by

On pause, travel not recommended

On pause, travel not recommended. A government travel advisory says not to travel here, so we do not offer trips. Sources: Iraq travel advice, UK FCDO.

Why: The UK advises against all travel to parts of Iraq and against all but essential travel to the rest of Basra and most of the country. We follow government travel advice, we will look again when it changes. This is story only, and we do not go.

We share this country as a story and do not offer trips. This is not a judgement of the people or the ocean here. It only means that today we could not find a visit that meets our animal-welfare and safety standards. Places change, so we look again every year.

⚠️ Official travel advice is a separate question, and it differs by passport. EU citizens or US citizens may be advised against travelling there, so please check your own government’s website before you plan.

Why Iraq

Iraq has only about 58 km of Gulf coast, and the water is very muddy. Researchers know of no dugong records here, and the famous Gulf dugong and turtle places are in other countries. The Mesopotamian Marshes are known for birds. Governments advise against travel to most of the country, so Ocean Calling only shares the story.

Conservation-led. Ocean Calling guests never chase, touch or bait animals.

When to go

Timing changes a lot from place to place. See each place below.

Official travel advice or our ethics check means we do not send guests here.

Our ethics check

Can we travel here ethically?

On pause, travel not recommended

We follow government travel advice. We will look again when it changes.

Evidence is still thin here. We are checking again with official sources.

This is not a judgement of the people or the ocean here. It only means that today we could not find a visit that meets our animal-welfare and safety standards. Places change, so we look again every year. Checked 30 Sep 2026.

Sources for this check

Iraq travel advice, UK FCDO

The story

Where in Iraq

We share these places as stories and research notes. We do not offer or sell trips here.

Shatt al-Arab and the Gulf coast

On pause, travel not recommended

Where the great river meets the northern Gulf. A turbid coast with no ocean product for us.

Animals

Animals recorded in Iraq

Tap an animal to learn how it lives, where it travels and how to meet it respectfully.

Indian Ocean humpback dolphin showing its pale dorsal hump

Indian Ocean humpback dolphinSousa plumbeaSeen in 13 countries in the AtlasEndangered

Great cormorant perched on a branch, with white head plumes and a glossy blue-black back

Great cormorantPhalacrocorax carboSeen in 90 countries in the AtlasLeast Concern

Two pygmy cormorants perched on a bare branch

Pygmy cormorantMicrocarbo pygmaeusSeen in 26 countries in the AtlasLeast Concern

Curious?

Why this is a story, not a trip

Read our ethics check above. If you would like to talk about it, Rocío is happy to explain.

Ask Rocío Back to the Ocean Atlas

Also in Red Sea and Arabia

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Based in Iraq?

We are always happy to hear from exceptional local operators, accommodation, conservation organisations and destination experts in Iraq. If your work fits responsible, small-group ocean travel, we would love to learn more.

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