Socotra
Yemen’s remote island of Socotra, a 3,625 square kilometer desert paradise 60 miles east of the Horn of Africa. Ecosystem so unique it’s often referred to as the “Galapagos of the Indian Ocean”towering sand dunes and rocky cliffs,
Suffering civil war, coups, revolutions and bombings in recent years, the Republic of Yemen is generally off the radar for tourists. Unless, that is, you know about the island of Socotra. Located between the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula where the Arabian Sea meets the Indian Ocean, Socotra is an ecological wonder. Alien landforms sit above beautiful beaches, and the archipelago is home to a diverse and often unique flora and fauna of which over 30% can only be found on the island.
Incredibly basic, remote, poorly connected and has next to no tourism – a dirt road kind of place. Medical treatment rudimentary. Only bathroom in the hotel. Drives can be very long as the roads are poor. A day round trip to the best snorkelling. Hot, humid and short on creature comfort.
“Life on Socotra is slow,” she says. “I spend most days outside reading a book, writing in my journal or hiking in the mountains.”
150cc motorbike – Socotra’s ubiquitous form of transport imported.
Socotra’s healthcare system is supported by the UAE, meaning care for minor illnesses and injuries is relatively good.
The Wi-Fi isn’t strong enough for Skype or Facetime, and power cuts are common. The local community, which due to the devastating cyclone in 2018 and the ongoing war in mainland Yemen, has been facing many challenges.
It was very safe.
Nightmare is those Yemenia airlines flights that’s are late or cancelled and very crowded
Visa. Visas and flights to Socotra can only be done through a travel agency. Only full week trips. $850 airfare from Dubai and $1850 tour is expensive for a very isolated and small island. Visa is issued 30 days prior to departure so tour companies have short window to arrange everything. Tour company responsible for your visa and, most of the time, booking the flights. If you are flying in November, maybe is too early for any payment or visa (issued 30 days prior departure).
Flights
• A weekly flight Yemenia Airlines from Cairo every Monday (via Aden mainland Yemen – Long lay over with no chance of hotel room)
• A weekly, direct flight from Abu Dhabi every Tuesday. The flight cost is cheaper from Abu Dhabi and always fully booked – book way ahead of time.
Book this flight by talking directly via what’s app +971 50 671 6175 and bank transfer (UAE account quoted in USD paid in AED). The person that arranges your visa normally would buy the ticket on your behalf.our company sent a digital copy of visa in advance. They confirmed my flight tickets and said I could pay with a western union transfer but my payment bounced. They held my flight ticket and I ended up paying in cash at the airport on the day on the flight.
Accommodation
Summerland Hotel as base for doing day trips (Untamed Borders). Hotel manager at Summerland hotel can help travelers organize activities. Taha: +967 777 400 473
May be best to base yourself in Hadibou and do day trips.
Wild camping. Most people spend some nights camping. Slept outside most nights – sheet, sleeping bag and a pillow case. Charge electronics using the car guided in.
Toilets are mostly the great outdoors but have shower and proper facilities in certain camping locations. Wild camping or renting basic guest rooms from local goat-herder families in Socotra’s less populated rural villages, only returning to Hadibu for Wi-Fi, laundry services and electricity to charge her devices. She insists that her hosts accept $150-200 per month to cover her food and accommodation.
Tours. Local tours of Socotra for $950-1200 for one week/2 people. socotra-friends.com. They make any trips according to your request.
1. Rafa Tours. My guide Rafat is the most experienced guide and has his own company.
https://instagram.com/socotra.rafatours?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
https://www.daredreamdiscover.com/destinat…/yemen/socotra/
$1200 and there were only 2 of us. Camp every night but the last one and I regretted staying in a hotel then, camping on the beaches and in the dragon blood trees is wonderful. The town is like a big rubbish dump, not nice, missed the beach. provided with a mattress, pillow and sheets
https://instagram.com/socotra.rafatours?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
2. Welcome to Socotra two Italian guys, and I highly recommend them. 1900 with visa and flights, per person (with 2 persons).
3. Lupine tours $1775 – upsell a local operator with no additional benefit
4. Socotratrip.com. $2800 total, hotel every other night. $1800 plus $850 for flight from Abu Dhabi, $150 for visa.
5. Lonely socotra, Ali helped me throughout the process until we got the tickets. other tourists paid double itineraries seemed quite the same. Abdulraoof as our guide Ali’s contact: +967 770 126 974
6. Socotra Eco. Sameed at +967777648269.. if u have more person of course he can quote you with cheaper price..
7. Penguin travel usually well priced tours
8. YPT SOCRATA Socotra Island Yemen Spring Tour Mar 10th-17th 2023 Price : $1745 Duration: 7 nights, 8 days. Chartered a flight direct from Abu Dhabi (UAE) to Hadibu, Socotra.
Yemen visa process is taken care of by YPT for $150 – no need to send your passport away anywhere. The Air Arabia Abu Dhabi-Socotra chartered roundtrip ticket is an additional $895 per person. Paid at the moment of your booking with us.
Oman UAE Donut day tour which can be attached before or after your visit to Socotra
Yemen – Soqotra
M@P: Socotra outer islands (Abd al Kuri, Samhah, Darsah)
World Heritage Sites: Socotra Archipelago
Islands: Socotra (main island)
Borders: Socotra (sea border/port), Yemen (sea border/port)
XL: Soqotra Outlying islands
World of Nature:
Detwah Lagoon Ramsar Site
Hajhir Mountains/Ayhaft Canyon
Homhil Protected Area/Infinity Pool
Socotra Archipelago Biosphere Reserve
Caves, Sinkholes and Saltmines: Socotra: Houq Cave
Beaches: Socotra: Qalansiyah Beach
Experiences: al-Ghina al-San’an, National Unity day