socotra travel cost

How to Visit Socotra Island in 2024

Do you wish to visit Socotra Island?

It is an island with few tourists and basic infrastructure but with astounding beauty and unique biodiversity.

Our complete guide explains how to visit Socotra, get a visa, book flights and which tour program we recommend to show you the best of Socotra.

Hi, we’re Rach & Marty!

We’ve visited every country in the world and want to help you get the most out of your travels!

Whether you need an expertly planned itinerary , some experienced hints and tips , or just craving a delicious food adventure , we’ve got you covered!

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We decided to visit Socotra in 2019, and if “off-the-beaten path” places are your thing, then you should put Socotra Island on your bucket list.

Since there is a new flight option to visit Socotra, we have updated our blog post to help you plan your trip . 

How to Visit Socotra Island – Everything you Need to Know

Table of Contents

Where is Socotra Island?

Socotra is located between the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, where the Indian Ocean meets the Arabian Sea.

Politically speaking, it belongs to Yemen. But geographically speaking, it belongs to the African continent.

In 2008, the Socotra archipelago was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

How to Visit Socotra – Which Airlines Fly to Socotra?

A visit to Socotra has been challenging for some years.

In 2019 and 2020, the only airline flying to Socotra was Yemenia Airlines on their once-weekly flight from Cairo. We visited Socotra in 2019, and we flew with Yemenia Airlines.

Things have since changed. Now, in 2023 and the plan for the upcoming 2024 season is a charter flight from Abu Dhabi to Socotra.

Air Arabia operates this charter flight and connects Abu Dhabi and Socotra on Tuesdays. You will not be able to book these flights on Skyscanner or other flight booking platforms; you will need the assistance of a local Tour Operator. Read more about our recommendations on the best Tour Operator in Socotra below.

The perfect time to visit Socotra is right now.

In this blog post, you will find information on how to visit Socotra on the flight from Abu Dhabi to Socotra by charter flight.

As far as we know, Yemenia Airlines is still flying between Cairo and Socotra. But, as they have a layover in Seiyun on the mainland, foreigners can’t use this route due to visas. 

The weekly flight from Abu Dhabi 

The new flight route from Abu Dhabi makes visiting Socotra much easier than in the past.

We recommend browsing Skyscanner for cheap flights from/via your home country to Abu Dhabi.

Why Visit Socotra-What to Expect in Socotra Island

20 Most Popular Foods From Yemen

The Current flight schedule from Abu Dhabi AUH to visit Socotra SCT (2023/24)

ABU DHABI – SOCOTRA Non-stop direct flights on Tuesday.

FLIGHT NO 476 Abu Dhabi (AUH) 11:00 departure > Socotra (SCT) 12:15 arrival 

FLIGHT NO 477 Socotra (SCT) 13:45 departure > Abu Dhabi (AUH) 17:00 arrival

You will be returning on the same plane that lands in Socotra, and you should expect delays.

If you’re considering a visit to Socotra this season, I suggest flying into Dubai for a few days (read our post about visiting Dubai on a budget ) and then transferring to Abu Dhabi before your flight to Socotra on Tuesday.

Alternatively, you can fly directly to Abu Dhabi with enough time to catch your connecting flight to Socotra.

On the way back, I would stay an extra night in Abu Dhabi to connect the flight home the following day. This means you won’t stress about missing your connecting flight. 

How to Book the Flight to Socotra 

You might’ve already searched for the flight online through Skyscanner but have not found it.

This is because this flight can not be booked online. And yes, this is the only flight you can book to visit Socotra as a foreigner.

To book the flight, you’ll need your Yemeni visa first (more details below), and you can only book the flight through a travel agent.

The agent can hold your seats (reservation) for a few weeks while your visas are being processed and then once payment is made, the e-tickets will be issued.

You must have a printout of your visa and ticket to check-in at Abu Dhabi Airport to visit Socotra. 

As there is currently only one flight between Abu Dhabi and Yemen and it does sell out. Not because of tourists, as only a few are on each flight. But many Yemeni citizens fly for medical procedures.

Our Recommended Tour Operator to visit Socotra

The easiest way to book the flight is to have your tour company take care of that. It was booked via their travel agent in Abu Dhabi and you could pay via bank transfer.

We recommend the local Tour Operator, Eye Of Socotra . They offer two popular tour itineraries that you can view here .

The package price depends on how many people in your group are travelling, but you can contact Eye of Socotra for more information. The email address is:  [email protected] .

WhatsApp: +967 774 186 500

How Much Is A Tour to Visit Socotra?

Tour prices will vary between operators, and as mentioned above, the price does depend on how many passengers are in the group. Most groups that visit Socotra are small, or between 4-12 people. Tour programs are often very similar and include similar activities.

Most agencies can arrange private tours in Socotra; however, expect to pay more for this option.

We have listed approximate prices for this season, 2023/2024, if you book your tour program with Eye of Socotra . The prices below are for the Tour Program only , excluding flights, visas or any hotel upgrades or extras. *These prices are subject to change at any time.

When booking, you can take 5% off this tour price if you quote our exclusive code below.

• 1 person: USD 1800
• 2 to 3 people: USD 1450 pp
• 4 to 5 people: USD 1300 pp
• 6 people: USD 1150 pp
• 7 – 9 people USD 1050 pp
• 10 or more people: USD 950 pp

SAVE 5% ON TOUR PRICE!

Quote our exclusive code:  EYEOFSOCOTRA5  to receive a 5% discount on your tour!

Need an online account that lets you send money, get paid, and spend money internationally? A Wise account provides these services, and it will save you loads of cash in International fees.

Send your first International transfer for FREE when you sign up here for a Wise account.

We used WISE to pay for our trip to visit Socotra Island in 2019.

The Price of the Flight to Socotra

In 2023, the return flight from Abu Dhabi to Socotra costs approximately USD 900 per person. As there are limited options for Socotra, the charter flight is the only way to visit Socotra.

They have a monopoly and can charge anything they wish, so you don’t have any choice in getting to Socotra.

Back in 2019, we paid USD 1200 per person for our return flight to Socotra.

How To Get A Visa for Yemen?

The only way to secure a Yemeni visa for your visit to Socotra is by booking a tour with a local company.

Embassies are currently not issuing tourists visas. And as you can imagine there aren’t many Yemeni embassies in the world and only a small number of adventure travellers wish to visit Socotra.

Eye Of Socotra Agency can arrange your flights, tour packages and visa.

You can also obtain your visa if you know someone in Socotra who can facilitate this, especially if your visit to Socotra is not your first time there.

The Yemeni visa price is USD 150 ; you will receive it via email about 2-3 weeks before you arrive in Socotra.

Once you arrive in Socotra, your visa will be issued at the airport. The visa is valid for 30 days, and you must not have any stamps from Israel.

Make sure you get Travel Insurance before hitting the road. We recommend Heymondo & SafetyWing Travel Insurance.

Click here and get 5% off Heymondo from us!

How to Book a Tour to Visit Socotra

The season to visit Socotra is short, so you need to be quick! To book a tour to visit Socotra, check Eye of Socotra for dates of tours for this season (October- January).

Remember to quote code EYEOFSOCOTRA5 to save 5% on the tour price; it’s a significant saving!

Alternatively, this tour, which you can book on Tourradar , is another excellent option.

If you need visas for other countries – see our helpful Visa Page here

Learn more about Yemeni cuisine and check out these 20 most popular foods from Yemen .

You may also be interested in visiting some nearby countries that are also fascinating. These 10 reasons why you should visit Oman  should provide enough inspiration to book a trip here. 

Don’t miss our Perfect 7 Day Road Trip Itinerary for Oman.  This country is best explored on wheels to explore all the hidden wadis and amazing views.

And then, if you’re stopping by the UAE, it’s possible to visit Dubai on a Budget.  Seriously, stay somewhere nice and eat the best food; the details are covered in our post.

Travel Tips for Asia

We have many travel guides and tips for Asia— a fascinating continent!

Delicious cuisine can be enjoyed across Asia, and our food map of Asia will inspire your food journey.

These top 5 best street foods in Asia are unmissable! We explain Central Asian food, including seven popular foods in this region.

Our Southeast Asia packing list will be helpful if you’re travelling here.

Furthermore, if you plan to travel long-term (or at least until the money runs out), these 21 cheapest countries to visit will help you make your hard-earned dollars stretch a bit further.

Not surprisingly, our top 10 best countries for food lovers include a few Asian countries.

You’ll need to stay connected while travelling in Asia. We recommend eSIM. It’s easy, reliable and affordable. View eSIMs for individual Asian countries , or consider a regional eSIM for Asia (which covers 18 countries).

If your travels in Asia are part of a much larger global adventure, then a Global eSIM may be the answer. It connects you in 124 countries , offering data-only eSIM and data/call/text eSIM . The Global eSIM has been a game-changer; we couldn’t imagine travelling without it now.

If you want to travel with like-minded travellers, consider joining a group tour. View the best deals on group tours in Asia .

Finally, check out our travel resources page for the best websites, tools and products we use to travel the world.

View the travel gear we use on the road, and don’t miss our best-ever travel tips compiled from more than twenty years of experience. 

Travel Planning Resources

✈️ Flights : We use Skyscanner to book cheap flights worldwide.

🏨 Accommodation :  Booking.com is our preferred platform for booking hotels and accommodation. We use Vrbo to book apartments and long-term stays.

🏥 Travel Insurance : We recommend Heymondo ( Get 5% off Heymondo)  & SafetyWing

🚌 Transportation : Trainline is the best website to reserve trains. We use Omio to book transport worldwide. For travel in Asia, we use 12Go.  

🚘 Car Rental : We use DiscoverCars to book rental cars worldwide.

👫 Group Tours :  G Adventures OR compare multi-day tours worldwide with Tourradar .

📸 Day Tours & Trips :  GetYourGuide  & Viator are the only two platforms you need.

📚 Lonely Planet: The Best Range of Travel Guides & Ebooks , and FREE Shipping! (use code RACHELDAVEY10 for a 10% discount)

🎒 Luggage :  Osprey Farpoint 40L Backpack  or  Samsonite Luggage Range.

🛄 What to Pack:  Don’t forget your Universal charger and a good  power bank .  To help you pack the essentials, here is our ULTIMATE Packing List for all Travellers .

🐶 Become a House Sitter:  Join Trusted Housesitters and enjoy FREE accommodation worldwide. Use our invite to receive 25% off your new membership.

💰 Send Money Anywhere: WISE  &  Revolut  are the best online accounts that let you send money, get paid, and spend money internationally. Both are so easy to use and way cheaper than any bank transfer.

📶  Stay Connected: Airalo eSIM allows you to get connected the moment you land at your destination, and you can avoid those expensive data roaming charges. We LOVE this product! Use promo code NOMAD15 for 15% off ALL eSIMs (new Airalo users only) OR use NOMAD10 for 10% off ALL eSIMs (for existing Airalo users)

✅ Check out our Travel Gear  and  Travel Resources for more valuable tips to save you money!

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15 comments . leave new.

Amazing, helpful, exciting info here Marty. Thanks for sharing! Absolutely love seeing your & Rach’s adventure updates on Instagram!

Thanks Shauna. Great to hear you are enjoying the journey. And yes Socotra was pretty special.

Eye of Socotra is the best choice for organizing a Socotra trip 👌

Hello. I’m intrigued and love traveling to untouched parts of the world. Would it be safe for me, as an American woman, to join a group of travelers via tour company? How many tend to be in the tours, if you know, and where are people from? Thank you!

Yes, we love to explore untouched parts of the world too – and Socotra was definitely one of our favourites. Yes, if you hold an American passport, you could still visit Socotra using a tour company. They will help you to arrange a visa once you book a place on the trip. There are several tour companies to choose from, but it’s best to choose a reputable one. We recommend using the one we went with. (details in our blog). Groups tend to be small, our group had 8 people. You can certainly book a private tour with a company also (only you or your friend(s), plus a driver/guide), but the price will be more. We enjoyed having other people to share the experience. The people who book this destination are from all over the world, just in our group we had Australian, South African, Lebanese, German, and Japanese. It’s definitely for people who like adventure, camping, outdoors, hiking, and natural beauty.

Thanks Marty, I hope it’s helpful for visiting there. Socotra seems like an exotic place. Even though flight tickets are a bit overwhelming it could be made simpler if you are travelling by an associated tour company. I have visited places like these which are raw and unique in their own way. But I don’t know if its possible to travel at this time due to the travel restrictions to so many countries. Any way seems like another place to my bucket list.

Socotra Eco tours ( http://www.socotra-eco-tours.com ) is the senior and best agency for organizing inbound tour to Socotra. All staff are local Socotris and well trained of Socotra environment and cultural attributes to Socotra. It is strongly recommended to come through locals.

Kind regards

Yes, we had a friend who visited Socotra with Socotra Eco-Tours and his feedback was very positive. He had a good experience travelling with you.

Thanks for the detailed blog! One question regarding the visa – have you experienced any issues entering other countries with a Yemeni stamp in your passports? I’ve experienced something like this with an Iranian visa and I’m curious whether it’ll be an issue. Thank you so much!

Hi Cindy, we have been told not to have a Yemeni stamp if you plan to travel to Libya and Afghanistan and since we were planning a trip there, we got new passports to not have any problems. Some countries might definitely find it unusual to have a stamp from Yemen, but hopefully explaining that you went to Socotra island can help. Don’t forget that if you have travelled to Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and/or Yemen, you are not eligible to obtain ESTA for the USA, but need an actual visa.

Ah, Socotra! One of the most interesting places on earth for sure. It’s sad that visiting this place also prevents from obtaining ESTA for the USA 🙁 How much are the flights from UAE to Socotra?

Round-trip costs around 950 USD.

As a citizen of the US, will I have any trouble getting back to the US from Socotra? Sorry, but I am a little confused about ESTA. This will probably go into your “Stupid Question” pile. ;~)

Hi Joan, If you’re an American citizen with a US passport, you don’t need ESTA so no need to worry 😉

I just clicked on the tour company above, and referenced by you. It appears that starting in September ‘23 until May ‘24 there will be flights on both Friday AND Monday!!! That would be much more convenient for those not wanting or unable to stay a whole week.

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Socotra Travel Guide

Updated April 2 024, The Socotra Travel Guide was originally written in May 2019

After several years of being nearly cut off from the outside world, Socotra is finally opening back up to tourism again. In this Socotra Travel Guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know to visit the mysterious island coined ‘the most alien-looking place on Earth’.

Socotra is located in the Arabian Sea nearly halfway between Yemen and Somalia. About 80 million years ago during the Miocene Epoch, the island was separated from the Arabian Peninsula and left in isolation. Thanks to this long-standing isolation, Socotra was allowed to become home to one of the highest concentrations of endemic flora and fauna on Earth, putting it up in the ranks of places like the Galapagos, Hawaii, New Caledonia, and New Zealand.

In 2015  war broke out on the mainland of Yemen , though it was spiraling in that direction for several years leading up. This war is what cut Socotra nearly off from the outside world until late 2018 when new flights from Cairo had been announced. If you’re starting to plan your own visit to Socotra, I recommend picking up a copy of Bradt’s Socotra Guidebook , the first-ever in print (I also contributed to it too!).

Need Travel Insurance and Evacuation Services for Socotra?

Start shopping for travel insurance plans over at  IATI Insurance . Readers of the Adventures of Nicole get a 5% discount off your plan.

The Adventures of Nicole partners with Global Rescue to offer the world’s leading medical evacuation and security advisory services. To travel with peace of mind, shop evacuation coverage at Global Rescue .

Looking to join one of our group trips to Socotra?  Click here  for more info, itineraries, and to sign up

Socotra Travel Quick Info

Currency-  Yemeni Rial

Language-  Socotri is the language of the island, a Semitic language. Arabic is spoken widely as well. English, Russian, French, and German-speaking guides can be hired as well.

Population-  Approximately 70,000.

When To Go-  October through mid-May is the best time to visit as there are less likely chances of storms. February to May have the driest and clearest weather, while October to January has a higher likelihood of rain though still relatively low. Mid May through September is generally not recommended due to storms and winds, however, kite surfers will find the best conditions during these months.

What To Wear-  More conservative clothing will be better welcomed when in towns and villages. Women should wear clothing that covers the body, shoulders, and legs (wearing a headscarf will be very welcomed in towns/villages too, though they are not compulsory), and men should avoid shorts above the knee when visiting towns and villages. When out hiking, at the beach, camping, and exploring nature this is more relaxed.

Temperatures can get quite hot and humid on Socotra, though in the Haggier Mountains nighttime temps can get cool enough to warrant a light jacket or fleece.

What not to wear- Skimpy clothing outside of beach/swimming areas. Of course, Socotris will likely not say anything but know that walking around half-naked is disrespectful to the locals as Socotra is still a very conservative society.

Check out  Socotra in photos

Getting A Yemeni Visa

Getting a Yemeni visa isn’t something you can just go do on your own at present. Yemeni embassies and consulates will not issue tourist visas. You will need to apply via a tour agency in Socotra that will get the visa approved by the government and send you a paper copy of this.

You will need this visa approval paper in order to board your Yemenia or Air Arabia flights (or arranging the ship from Salalah if traveling by sea). This visa paper will also be needed to clear immigration at Socotra Airport if flying in via Abu Dhabi or at Aden Airport if coming from Cairo (or at Socotra port if you will arrive by ship).

Note that you may be asked if you’d like your passport stamped on arrival. If you do not they will stamp a separate sheet of paper (this is thanks to the US making travelers to a handful of Middle Eastern countries ineligible for ESTA if they travel to any of them).

If you want to read the full guide on how to get a Yemeni visa,  click here .

Please do not email me asking how you can get a Yemeni visa without booking an agency because YOU don’t want to be guided, pay for it, etc. I DO NOT MAKE THE RULES. 

Read:  How to get a Yemeni visa to visit Socotra

How To Travel To Socotra

I have an entire post dedicated to explaining how to get to Socotra in detail that you can visit  here .

You will either arrive by Yemenia flight IY611/420 from Cairo /Aden or by Air Arabia Flight 476 from Abu Dhabi, or via the cement ship from Salalah, Oman . Neither route is easy to arrange so if you are serious about visiting I recommend reading the above-mentioned post.

There are also sporadic departures of ships from Al Mukalla bound for Socotra, however, this would require you to already be in the mainland of Yemen which is generally not recommended. It’s also worth noting that there has been an uptick in piracy in the Gulf of Aden since 2015.

Everything you need to know:  How to get to Socotra

USD is the most widely accepted foreign currency and the easiest to exchange on the island. Bring enough cash in USD to pay for your trip.

For small personal purchases such as souvenirs, you can convert USD into Yemeni Rial in Hadiboh at one of the many exchange offices around town.

As of April 2024, it was trading at about 1,200 YER to the dollar. You can easily pay for purchases with small denominations of USD. $1 notes are best (think drinks and snacks from shops and small souvenirs).

Getting Around

As getting a visa secured to visit requires booking a tour, you’ll surely be on a tour of the island.

You will get around the island by 4WD mostly, and dhow boat when visiting Shua’ab Beach. There are several hikes and camel trekking that can be done on the island as well.

Please note that there are no car rentals on the island and no formal public transport aside from the occasional buses I’ve seen between Hadiboh and the communities along the northwest coast and Hadiboh to the communities along the northeast coast to Qalansiya. I’ve also seen smaller minibusses between smaller towns and villages on Socotra, but I have not found any formal timetables.

Accommodations

While there are two hotels in Hadiboh you’ll most likely be camping in tents for the duration of your visit. Many places you’ll want to visit are far from Hadiboh and in my personal opinion going back and forth from Hadiboh every day is a complete waste of time, alas I can’t tell you how to live your life…

There are two hotels in Hadiboh- Summerlands Hotel and Socotra Eco Lodge, but please note both are very basic.

Where To Go On Socotra

With the gorgeous Haggier Mountains as a looming backdrop, Hadiboh is the main city on the island with about 8,000 residents. Most all the shops, offices, and supplies are centered here. There are small restaurants and street food, a bazaar, money exchange, a medical clinic, and more here in Hadiboh.

It’s definitely worth spending a day, or at least part of a day exploring Hadiboh. Don’t miss the fish market just out of town.

Expect to get a lot of stares, curious interactions, smiles, and hellos from local Socotris. More often than not people will walk up to you and try to communicate or ask you to take their photos.

Unfortunately, there is a lot of garbage all over the streets in Hadiboh. Locals and foreigners alike have tried to make efforts to change this but lose hope when in a matter of days it looks exactly the same.

In reality, the island needs a landfill and infrastructure in place as this is a larger problem than just simply cleaning up (they need a place to put waste). Another attribution to the problem is the import of packaged goods from other nations (Saudi Arabia, UAE, etc), that use A LOT of plastic packaging.

The northwest of Socotra is home to some of the most beautiful coastal scenery on Earth. Think ribbons of white sand, waters that transition from aquamarine to turquoise to emerald green, and finally to sapphire.

• Qalansiya-  This is Socotra’s second-largest city and the jumping-off point for adventures to Shua’ab Beach. It’s worth spending at least a couple hours meandering down the handful of streets, expect to attract a crowd of local kids.
• Detwah Lagoon-  Imagine blinding white sand with swirls of crystal clear water– this is Detwah Lagoon. Detwah is great for swimming and checking out the island’s marine life. It’s almost guaranteed Abdullah ‘the caveman” will find you here and invite you out for a few hours of catching seafood which he will take you to his cave and cook up. On the west end of the lagoon, there is a great lookout up a hill. A lovely woman (a sister in law of ‘the caveman’) named Saadia lives near the Detwah camp and is a joy to spend time with.
• Shua’ab-  With no road you’ll most likely arrive here by dhow boat from Qalansiya, but hiking here is a possibility. Shua’ab is a small and remote village set along a beautiful white sand beach flanked by arid cliffs. On the boat ride out here keep your eyes peeled for spinner dolphins.
• Balaqthan Sinkhole-  Roughly halfway between Hadiboh and Qalansiya you’ll reach the village of Balaqthan (just before nearby Ghubba) just off the main paved road. You can follow dirt tracks out there to visit the village (if you arrive when kids are on the afternoon break they’ll be really curious) which has a decent-sized sinkhole just off the beach. Many locals believe it’s the result of a meteor strike (similar to  Bimmah Sinkhole  in Oman), however, it is more than likely just a result of stone that collapsed here long ago.
• Balaqthan Salt Mine-  Directly across the main road from the Balaqthan Sinkhole is the Balaqthan Salt Mine. This circular depression is filled with salty water that evaporates, allowing for locals to mine salt from the pool.

Socotra’s northeast offers up caves, plateaus, wild beaches, dunes, and heaps of endemic flora.

• Homhil Protected Area-  Home to an abundance of Socotra’s endemic flora including dragon blood trees, bottle trees, and frankincense. Near the edge of Homhil, there is a natural pool that has epic views down onto the Arabian Sea below. After heavy rainfall in October 2019, the tracks to Homhil were washed out but should be restored soon.
• Arher Beach & Dunes-  This is a popular camping site for locals. Arher has a long white sand beach and is backed by massive white dunes pushed up against the cliffside. When I was here in March 2019 the beach was lit with blue bioluminescent plankton at night so do check for it.
• Dihamri Marine Protected Area-  Socotra’s prime spot for snorkeling and diving along reefs. There is a small dive shop that rents out snorkel masks and fins as well as dive gear.
• Hoq Cave-  The largest cave on the island accessible by a two-hour uphill hike from the village of Saqra. Trust me, the trek is worth it for what the cave holds. Fascinating rock formations, larger than life stalagmites and stalactites, a lake, and more await you in Hoq Cave. Bring a headlamp and flashlight.
• Delisha Beach-  Not far from Hadiboh is the little beach area of Delisha. Prior to the cyclones that ravaged the island in 2015 Adeeb’s Eco Lodge sat right off the beach. It is currently being rebuilt and you can camp there.
• Ras Irisal-  As far east in Socotra you can possibly go. Ras Irisal is a small beach from which most of the fisherman in the village of Irisal depart from. This is also the spot where the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea meet. Make sure and stop by the village as well, the locals are friendly and the kids will get a kick out of playing with foreigners.
• Crab City-  On a small cape-like piece of land that juts out to the north into the sea near the furthest east end of Socotra sits a beach facing toward the northeast that has thousands of little pyramids on it. Welcome to Crab City. These little pyramids are formed by the ghost crabs that call this beach home as they dig protective tunnels.
• Irisal Beach-  Irisal Beach sits on the opposite side of that little cape mentioned above, facing to the northwest. This is one of my favorite beaches in Socotra as it offers amazing views crystal clear waters and the Arher Dunes in the distance.
• Meeting Point Of The Oceans-  This is the easternmost point of Socotra Island. You’ll know if you’re in the right place if you reach a white sandy beach with humongous whale vertebrae on it. Continue on down to the water and you’ll find a rocky channel with a small rocky outcrop on the other side where you can find lots of balloon fish swimming around.
• Rash Marine Protected Area-  Another diving and snorkeling hotspot.
• Qaria Lagoon-  Home to a small village on its shore. Keep an eye out for pink flamingos in the lagoon.
• Socotra Folk Museum-  In the village of Riqela, along the main road connecting Hadiboh to Arher, you’ll pass the one-room Socotra Folk Museum. There are a handful of items inside including shells and corals collected from the shores, a sail, and various cultural artifacts including traditional Socotri clothing, a baby’s bassinet, and more.

Haggier Mountains & Central Socotra

This is where Socotra gets wild with deep wadis, jagged peaks, an out-of-this-world forest, and friendly Socotri Bedouin people.

• Haggier Mountains-  Rising from the Earth to heights of over 1,500 meters and home to Skånd Peak, Socotra’s highest point. The Haggier Mountains conveniently sit just south of Hadiboh. Several treks will take you to explore the Haggiers.
• Dixam Plateau-  This is the heart of Socotra, smack in the middle of the island. Dixam Plateau is home to a scattering of dragon blood trees, a dragon blood tree nursery, and views into Wadi Dirhur.
• Wadi Dirhur-  The Grand Canyon of Socotra. From Dixam Plateau delve 700 meters down into the oasis-like canyon. If you make a short detour to the southeast where Wadi Dirhur meets up with another canyon you’ll find freshwater pools waiting you can swim in, though some do have a lot of green algae, so you can expect to be turned green. From the wadi, you can trek up to the Firhmin Forest.
• Firhmin Forest –  The highest concentration of dragon blood trees in the entire world lies in this forest set atop the opposite side of Wadi Dirhur from Dixam Plateau.
• Wadi Faro-  This is a wild ride traveling along Wadi Faro from the north of Socotra to the south. There is a perfect oasis and nearby village halfway to break for lunch at.
• Wadi Ayhaft-  Wadi Ayhaft is located not too far from Hadiboh and is characterized by lush and green flora- you’ll see lots of Euphorbia trees, date palms, and succulents. You will eventually reach a large pool of water in the wadi.

Southern Socotra is the more off-beaten-path side of the island with sparse villages and wild beaches. Don’t miss the impressive Dagub Cave and the never ending dunes of Zahek and Hayf.

• Zahek & Hayf Sand Dunes – These fields of bright white sand dunes seem to continue you forever, that is until they drop off into the Indian Ocean. Early morning is a nice time to visit as winds are usually dead calm, however, the sunset is hard to beat.
• Omaq Beach-  This quiet beach along Socotra’s southern shore is the perfect place to camp and take in the island’s peaceful atmosphere.
• Dagub Cave-  The cave doesn’t go very deep but the opening of it is massive, to say the least.
• Kalysan-  A gorgeous string of wadi pools the gnarl together near the southwest of Socotra.
• Momi Plateau-  Just due south of Homhil Protected Area, Momi offers amazing views over the island as well as a scattering of frankincense, bottle and cucumber trees.
• Dahaisi Cave-  This cave is quite an effort to reach, but has some interesting art carvings found on the walls. To reach the cave you’ll need the help of a local guide to show you the way across the Momi Plateau.
• Steroh-  The village you’ll reach on the southern coast of Socotra as you descend out of the mountains along the main road crossing the island from the north.

Read:  10 days on Socotra Island, Yemen

The Other Islands Of The Socotra Archipelago

Socotra is actually comprised of six islands. These include Abd al Kuri, Samha, Darsa, Kal Firun, and Sabuniya aside from the main island of Socotra.

Only Abd al Kuri and Samha are inhabited (aside from the main Socotra Island). Samha and Darsa together are often referred to as ‘Al Akhawain’ translating out to ‘the brothers’.

I am tentatively planning another Outer Islands expedition for March 2024 that will take a group to explore these rarely visited islands as they require chartering a boat to reach them. Visit our page for this Socotra Archipelago Expedition to see full details and sign up.

• Abd al Kuri-  Abd al Kuri is the largest of the outer islands of the archipelago, located about 65 kilometers west of Socotra Island and home to less than 1,000 people. There are five main villages on the island and most inhabitants live off of fishing. Abd al Kuri is actually home to its own endemics including the Euphorbia abdalkuri, the rare Abd al Kuri Sparrow, and two species of lizard, the Mesalina kuri, and the Pristurus abdalkuri. The landscape of Abd al Kuri is arid, with hills that bisect the island and areas of sand beaches and high rocky cliffs. The sovereignty of Abd al Kuri is actually still disputed between Yemen and Somalia.
• Samha-  Samha is the smallest of the inhabited Socotra Islands and is home to a small population (I’ve seen estimates of around 100-200). There’s only one single village on Samha located on the northwest of the island. Much like Abd al Kuri, its sovereignty is disputed between Yemen and Somalia. The island is quite rugged and home to the rare endemic Begonia samhaensis.
• Darsa-  The smallest island of the Socotra Archipelago at 5.4 square kilometers and is completely uninhabited by humans. The island is mostly a barren-looking rock, though an unbelievably beautiful beach sits on the northwest coast that’s backed by craggy caves. Darsa is home to an abundant bird population and is infested by rats, which is why spending the night out here is not recommended.
• Kal Firun & Sabuniya-  Both Kal Firun and Sabuniya are rocky outcrops and not full-blown islands but are a part of the archipelago. Both islands are important to birdlife. Sabuniya is located about 15 kilometers off of Shua’ab Beach on Socotra Island’s northwest coast and Kal Firun is located about 25 kilometers north of Abd al Kuri.

Solo Female Travel In Socotra

Socotra is a great place to visit for intrepid solo female travelers. I actually visited “solo” (guide was mandatory) on my first trip in 2014 (my 2019-2024 visits were with a groups I brought to Socotra with the help of my local partners.

It’s worth noting that you won’t truly be solo as you’ll be guided on the island. That said, you should have plenty of chances to interact with local women.

Don’t miss the highest concentration of Dragon Blood Trees in  Firhmin Forest

Flora & Fauna

Socotra is famous for its endemic species found nowhere else on Earth. Many of the endemic fauna includes birds, reptiles, scorpions and spiders. Here are a few of the endemics that can be found on the island:

• ‘Dragon Blood Tree’  Dracaena Cinnabari –   Family: Asparagaceae . The famous trees are known for their unusual shape and blood-red sap. An icon of Socotra.
• ‘Bottle Tree’  Adenium Obesium Socotranum –   Family: Apocynaceae . Often described as looking like an elephant’s leg. Bottle trees are a type of desert rose and bloom pink flowers.
• ‘Cucumber Tree’  Dendrosicyos Socotranus –   Family: Cucurbitaceae . The only member of the Cucurbitaceae family that grows in tree form.
• ‘Socotra Frankincense’  Boswellia Socotrana –   Family: Burseraceae . Socotra is home to several types of Frankincense, however this is the only endemic Frankincense tree.
• ‘Socotra Acacia’  Acacia Pennivenia –   Family: Fabaceae . Found all throughout the island.
• ‘ Socotra Pomegranate’  Punica Protopunica-  Family: Lytheaceae.  Bears miniature pomegranates that are often too bitter for most people’s liking. The skins are usually crushed and then cooked down into a paste that is used to heal sores and wounds . 
• ‘Socotrine Aloe’  Aloe perryi-  Family: Asphodelaceae.  A type of aloe vera with important pharmaceutical and medicinal properties.

• ‘Socotra Cisticola’  Cisticola Haesitatus
• ‘Socotra Sunbrid’  Nectarinia Balfouri
• ‘Socotra Starling’  Onychognathus Frater
• ‘Socotra Sparrow’  Passer Insularis
• ‘Socotra Warbler’  Incana Incana
• ‘Socotra Golden Winged Grosbeak’  Rhynchostruthus Socotranus
• ‘Socotran Chameleon’  Chamaeleo Monachus
• ‘Socotran Tarantula’  Monocentropus Balfouri
• ‘Socotran Butterfly’  Bicyclus Anynana

Socotra Travel Safety

Socotra has been spared from the fighting that has gone on in mainland Yemen since the start of the war in 2015. The island has suffered consequences of the war such as lack of transport on and off the island, infrequent shipments from the mainland, price inflation, and loss of revenue from the tourism the island once brought in.

Socotra has also suffered a catastrophic cyclone, followed by another cyclone in late 2015 that damaged much of the little existing infrastructure. Some have been rebuilt since by “humanitarian efforts” by the UAE and to a lesser degree Saudi Arabia– though the efforts appear to be more of an attempt to gain influence on the island than a true offer of help.

Your biggest concerns visiting Socotra will be staying hydrated, protecting yourself from the sun, avoiding injuries while trekking, and food-borne illness. Look out for jellyfish when participating in water activities.

Socotra Souvenirs

Not really the shopping Meccas of nearby Dubai or Kish Island, but there are a handful of souvenirs to purchase.

• Socotri Honey-  Socotra has been prized historically for its honey. You will likely pay $35-50 USD depending on availability for a 1L bottle.
• Dragon Blood Resin-  in Homhil children will typically collect dragon blood resin, dry it, and sell it in little bags to travelers. You can usually find it for sale in Hadiboh as well. Historically the resin has been used medicinally, as a cosmetic, and as a varnish.
• Frankincense-  Much in the same way dragon blood is collected so is Frankincense. You can usually find them being sold in Homhil and Hadiboh.
• Socotri Posture Belts-  These woven 2-inch thick belts are wrapped around the lower back and knees slightly raised up while sitting cross-legged. Locals believe it helps correct bad posture.
• Fouta-  This is the skirt traditionally worn by Socotri men and still worn to this day. They can also make nice scarves and sarongs for women.

Communication & Electricity

If you’re looking to be well connected with decent WiFi and mobile reception and have a regular electrical supply you should plan a trip elsewhere.

Mobile & Internet-  There is 3G coverage in Socotra, though not in many places. Hadiboh will have the best coverage. Etisalat has the best coverage though the SIM cards must be purchased in the UAE prior to your trip.

Electricity-  Electrical supply in Socotra is irregular. Realistically only Hadiboh has a grid though outages are frequent. In other areas of Socotra, solar panels and generators are common though there may or may not be sockets. If there are you’ll find Euro 2-pin and British 3-pin sockets.

Ultimately, it’s smart to plan as if you will not have electricity during your stay. Bring your own solar panel and battery banks .

It is possible to charge electronics while in the car. Bring an adaptor for the car cigarette lighter.

What To Pack For Socotra Travel

• Hiking Shoes, Boots Or Sandals
• Trekking Pants & Shirts
• Light Jacket or Fleece

Toiletries & Medications 

• Biodegradable Cleansing Wipes
• Hand Sanitizer
• Toilet Paper & Tissues
• Environmentally/Reef Friendly Sunscreen
• Moisturizer
• Environmentally Friendly Soap, Shampoo, Conditioner
• Toothbrush, Paste & Floss
• Cotton Swabs
• Bug Repellent
• Hair ties & Brush/Comb
• Feminine Hygiene Products
• Contact Lens Solution
• Any RX Or OTC Medications You Normally Take
• Ibuprofen Or Tylenol
• Antihistamines
• Broad Spectrum Antibiotic
• First Aid Kit

Electronics 

• Solar Panel
• Battery Bank
• Car Adaptor
• Camera & Lenses
• Spare Camera Batteries
• SD  Or  CF  Cards
• Dust Proof Camera Protector
• Cleaning Wipes + dust blower
• Chargers & Cables For Electronics
• SOS Beacon/Satellite Messenger

Miscellaneous 

• Headlamp  & Flashlight
• Microfiber Towel
• Water Purification Bottle or System

Read the full post:  Socotra packing list and prep guide

Socotra Tours

Check out the expeditions to Socotra I have departing over on Safar Expeditions .

Socotra Travel Costs

Without a doubt, Socotra is not a cheap destination to visit at present. There are only a handful of tour operators on the island, the Yemeni rial can fluctuate wildly, Yemenia has a monopoly on access and the costs of goods is high thanks to the island’s remote location. There is no question about it: Socotra travel is not cheap. Here is an estimate on what you can expect for cost:

• The roundtrip Yemenia Cairo-Socotra-Cairo flight costs $1,160 USD for an economy class seat
• The roundtrip Air Arabia Abu Dhabi-Socotra-Abu Dhabi flight costs $860 USD for an economy class seat
• A one week tour of Socotra will cost about $1,000-3,000 USD per person (this price can fluctuate some thanks to an unstable currency and economy)
• Visa cost is $170 USD

So for one week in Socotra, you should plan for $2,000-3,000 per person. You should also budget money for tips ($20 USD per day was suggested in the past to be split between a guide and a driver), personal travel insurance, and any souvenirs you’d like to purchase.

Please note that the price of tours does not decrease based on the number of people in your group (I have enquired about this with local operators and this is their policy). A tour will include a guide, driver, 4WD, food, camping gear, and activities and typically the price is not negotiable.

Please do not send me emails demanding ways to cut any of these costs. I do not have any influence nor control of the rules or costs in Socotra and quite frankly Socotris are struggling, so asking for discounts in a destination that is being affected economically by a brutal war I personally think is a slap in the face to the Socotri people who are welcoming tourists to their homeland.

Other Random Socotra Travel Information Worth Noting

• Don’t take photos of women and girls unless you have full permission from them. Many times women will scurry away at the sight of foreigners and especially of a camera.
• There are ice cream trucks on the island. I saw one on a desolate stretch of road near Arher (and if you’re wondering– yes, I chased it down and bought ice cream) and another in Hadiboh.
• Drones can be a bit tricky to get to Socotra if coming from Cairo. Since many will arrive by this Cairo flight, it’s worth mentioning that drones are totally illegal in  Egypt . You may be able to talk with officials at the airport and let them know you’re transiting but they likely will make you lock it up at the airport before they let you out. If you’re lucky you can pick it up when you are departing but plan for a lengthy process and a run around getting it. Make sure to arrive at the airport extra early to deal with it when you are flying out to Socotra. On a fall 2019 trip of ours, two travelers had their drones confiscated and destroyed, so you can’t always be lucky.

Need Any More Information On Socotra Travel?

Ask your Socotra travel questions in the comments below.

More Posts from Socotra:

How To Get A Visa For Socotra (Yemen)

Socotra Travel Guide: The Jewel Of Arabia

Socotra Expedition April 9-16, 2024

13 Day Socotra & South Yemen Expedition April 8-20, 2024

10 Days In Socotra: The Most Alien looking Place on Earth

How To Get To Socotra In 2024

Where The Wild Things Grow: Socotra’s Firhmin Forest

Socotra Packing List & Prep Guide

A Guide To Traveling In South Yemen

Visiting the Outer Islands of the Socotra Archipelago

Wanna Go To Socotra?

Socotra In Photos

Ancient Rock Art in Dahaisi Cave, Socotra

Why I Traveled to Yemen in 2014

Socotra Tour: Camel Trekking & Rugged Coastlines

10 Off The Beaten Path Destinations For 2021

Socotra Archipelago Tour: Outlying Islands & Remote Peaks

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Socotra Tours

Socotra island tours.

2024 / 2025

Unlike anywhere else on earth. Socotra has to be seen to be believed. We run both scheduled tours and private tours to Socotra every week from September to May.

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Socotra has a total population of around 60,000 people who speak their own native Socotri language. Apart from the main town of Hadiboh, little infrastructure exists on the island. The island is so remote that one third of its plant life can only be found there. Socotra is a remarkable place for camping, walking, hiking, wildlife spotting & cultural immersion. It’s for anyone who wants to experience a natural world like no other.

We now have seven scheduled and confirmed group tours per year in February, March, April, October, November & December. All groups are capped at 10 people.

Dates don’t work? No worries, check out our sample itinerary below , get in touch and we’ll give you a quote for a private Socotra tour on your preferred dates.

Abu Dhabi – Socotra – Abu Dhabi.

See our group Socotra tour itineraries below. Get in touch for a private tour quote. Private tours depart weekly every Tuesday.

With just a scan of your passport, we will apply for the Socotra visa on your behalf.  You then collect it on arrival. The visa fee is $150 USD extra.

Tour   Itineraries

Itinerary October 2024

It’s your first chance to visit Socotra after the long windy season!

• October 22 - 29th, 2024

Itinerary Winter 2024

Escape the northern winter and head for paradise on earth!

• November 26 - December 3, 2024

Itinerary December 2024

Where better to ring in the new year in style!

• December 27 - January 3, 2025

Itinerary February 2025

Escape the northern winter blues and head for sunny Socotra!

• February 4 - 11th, 2025

Itinerary Spring 2025

Come visit the iconic bottle trees in full bloom on this classic Socotra tour!

• March 25 - April 1st, 2025

Itinerary Easter 2025

No better place to spend your Easter holiday than a whole week in Socotra!

• April 15 - 22nd, 2025

Itinerary October 2025

We arrive back in Socotra fresh after the windy summer season!

• October 21 - 28th, 2025

Sample Socotra Tour Itinerary

Day 1 - abu dhabi | hadibo | qalansiya.

• Take the early morning flight from Abu Dhabi to Socotra.
• Arrival in Habido, Socotra. We’ll be greeted by our local Socotri guide who will accompany us for the trip.
• Drive to Qalansiya, the second largest town on the island.
• On the way stopping at some abandoned Soviet tanks.
• See the incredible view of Detwah Lagoon from the highest point on the beach before trekking down to the beach. Relax and take a dip in the ocean!
• Walk around the lagoon to our camp site for a big lunch.
• Climb up a nearby hill which will give us a 360 degree view of Qalansiyah and Detwah at sunset.
• Dinner and overnight camping at Detwah Eco-campsite – complete with shower and toilet!

Day 2 - Shoub Beach | Detwah Lagoon

• Take an early morning boat trip to Shoub beach – passing by stunning rock formations and plenty of native birdlife along the way. There’s a high likelihood we’ll come across numerous dolphins on the way here too!
• Arrive at Shoub – Relax & swim at the most beautiful beach on the island.
• Make our way back to Qalansiya by boat.
• After lunch, trek along the shores to visit the cave of Abdullah Alloi – known as the “caveman” Abdullah was born here and spends his time fishing the lagoon. We’ll have more fresh seafood here washed down with tea!
• He’ll take us a quick tour of the lagoon (if he’s home…!). We’ll see pufferfish, sea cucumber, squid, starfish, sea urchin and more.
• Camping at Detwah Eco-campsite.

Day 3 - Diksam Plateau

• Up early to d rive 2 hours to Diksam Plateau – home of the Dragon’s Blood Trees.
• Walk through endless Trees to the viewpoint overlooking Wadi Dirhar – an incredible canyon that splits Diksam and the Firmihin forest in half.
• Lunch under the shade of a Dragon’s Blood Tree.
• Go for a post-lunch dip at one of the many fresh water creeks in the Wadi Dirhar .
• Off road 4×4 drive to Firmihin forest and do a sunset hike to the top of the forest for one spectacular view overlooking thousands of Dragon’s Blood Trees.
• Set up camp at Diksam, Dinner and overnight.

Day 4 - Dixsam | Amak | Dihamri

• Start the morning with a walk to the nearby Dragon’s Blood Tree nursery
• Drive towards the South coast towards the epic sand dunes that line the coast. Drive across the sand dunes and stop for plenty of photo opportunities.
• Visit the cave of Dagub (If there’s time)
• Swim at the nearby Amak Beach.
• Lunch surrounded by a forest of palm date trees next to the beach.
• 2 hour drive north to our campsite at Dihamri Marine Sanctuary – the perfect time to try out some sunset/nighttime snorkelling!
• Dinner and overnight.

Day 5 - Dihamri Marine Protected Area | Killisan Pools

• Spend the morning scuba diving and snorkelling! (extra cost). 
• Drive inland and south towards the Killisan canyon and pools. It’s an off-road drive and a 45 minute trek to get here but it’s well worth it. Swim in the turquoise pools and jump from the ledges into the crystal clear water.
• Picnic Lunch.
• Drive to Arher Beach campsite. This is the spot where you can climb the massive sand dune!
• You are free to walk around the area on your own. Those capable can climb the 300m-high dune! (Top tip – do it for sunrise instead!)
• Dinner and overnight camping with a fire.

Day 6 - Homhil National Park | Raw Ersil | Arher

• After breakfast head straight to Homhil National Park. The Park is famous for its supply of the famous Dragon blood trees. Lots of bottle trees and cucumber plants can also be found here. After walking for 30 minutes, we’ll reach an incredible crystal-clear pool complete with views over the whole southern part of the island.
• Swim and relax at the “infinity pool” before making our way back upstream for a picnic lunch under the palms.
• Drive back towards Arher beach.
• Stop at the Socotra folklore museum on the way.
• Drive to Raw Erisel, the meeting point of the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. This is the point where freshwater and saltwater meet creating a natural phenomenon.
• Dinner and overnight in Arher.

Day 7 - Arher | Hoq’s Cave | Delisha Beach | Hadibo

• Wake up next to the ocean and climb the sand dune (again..!) before sunrise if you dare. Cool off in the sea and rinse off in the freshwater streams.
• Start our hike to Hoq’s Cave (3 hours return. Medium fitness required)
• Lunch at Delisha Beach! A beautiful white beach complete with a shipwreck.
• Visit the Yemeni Foundation & development for Socotra. Learn how the foundation is doing great work educating the youth of the island in conservation, foreign languages and computer skills.
• Check into the newly opened Heathrow Hotel (Yep, it’s near the airport) – now the only hotel on the island with functioning AC & Wifi!
• Freshen up and get rid of all the sand before our last dinner together. 
• Dinner and overnight in Hadibo.

Day 8 - Habido – Abu Dhabi

• Quick city tour of Hadibo. Check out the local fish and meat market.
• Any last minute shopping requests will be taken care of here!
• Transfer to the airport for your departure to Abu Dhabi.
• Arrive in Abu Dhabi around 17:00 local time.
• End of Socotra Tour.

Get in touch for more info on camel trekking, hiking and fishing tours. You name it and we can arrange it!

Accommodation Single tent camping and guesthouse on Socotra. Guides Both an expert local guide and western tour leader. Transport All transport to complete the itinerary. Food All meals are included in Socotra. Activities All activities mentioned in the itinerary unless otherwise stated. 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$60 Visa Fee $150 USD Tips Tips are expected for your local Socotri guide and driver. Travel Insurance A must for this trip. Snorkelling & diving equipment All diving and snorkelling equipment hire is extra. jQuery(window).on('elementor/frontend/init elementor/popup/show', function() { var $currentTooltip = '#eael-section-tooltip-f2ecbc3'; if (typeof tippy !== 'undefined') { tippy($currentTooltip, { content: 'Exploring Babylon', placement: 'bottom', animation: 'perspective', arrow: '1', arrowType: 'sharp', duration: '300', distance: '10', delay: '200', size: 'regular', trigger: 'mouseenter', animateFill: false, flip: true, flipOnUpdate: true, interactive: true, flipBehavior: 'flip', maxWidth: 350, zIndex: 99999, followCursor: false , onShow(instance) { var tippyPopper = instance.popper; jQuery(tippyPopper).attr('data-tippy-popper-id', 'f2ecbc3'); } }); } }); jQuery(window).on('elementor/frontend/init elementor/popup/show', function() { var $currentTooltip = '#eael-section-tooltip-79a4a76'; if (typeof tippy !== 'undefined') { tippy($currentTooltip, { content: 'Mesopotamian Marshlands', placement: 'bottom', animation: 'perspective', arrow: '1', arrowType: 'sharp', duration: '300', distance: '10', delay: '200', size: 'small', trigger: 'mouseenter', animateFill: false, flip: true, flipOnUpdate: true, interactive: true, flipBehavior: 'flip', maxWidth: 350, zIndex: 99999, followCursor: false , onShow(instance) { var tippyPopper = instance.popper; jQuery(tippyPopper).attr('data-tippy-popper-id', '79a4a76'); } }); } }); Gallery

Socotra tours - faqs, most frequent questions and answers for our tours to socotra..

Socotra is and has always been conflict free. The civil war never came close to the island. Socotra is very autonomous from the rest of Yemen.

Socotra experiences a cyclone season that makes conditions quite difficult from June to September. The best time to visit Socotra is from October to May.

Currently the only flight option to Socotra is the charter direct route from Abu Dhabi.

USD cash is king on the island. You can change it on the black market to Yemani Rial once in Hadibo. 

There are no ATMs on the island and credit cards are not accepted anywhere.

Group size will be no more than 10 travelers.

We’ll be a convoy of 4 cars. This allows each 4×4 car to have only 3 people each for maximum comfort. Everyone gets a window seat.

Travel insurance is a must. We have teamed up with IATI Travel Insurance because they provide cover for all our destinations. You’ll also automatically receive a 5% discount with them as a Rocky Road Travel customer.

Mostly camping! The only guesthouses are in Hadibo town. Around the island we will mostly be camping in the wild. A couple of camps will have no running water – so be prepared!

Our advice is to bring an external battery pack – preferably solar powered. Sometimes there will be a generator at the camp and sometimes not. You can also charge devices in the car while driving.

Not at all! We can cater to all diets on the island.

Pick your Dates

Flights depart every Tuesday (& some Fridays) from October to May

Return flight from Abu Dhabi

Extra Charge - $940 USD

Guesthouse & Camping

7 nights on Socotra

Contact us for a quote

It's that simple

Further   Reading

Covid 19 Travel Updates By Country

Iraqi Kurdistan is currently open to international travelers. Where Can I Go? Updated 1st June, 2022 This is your one

Things To Do On Socotra Island

Socotra’s Best Tourist Attractions Socotra island is a paradise for nature enthusiasts. Hikers could trek the entire island over the

Is Socotra Safe?

Is Socotra safe to travel to? Socotra is one of the most biologically diverse places on the planet. Located in

Travel to Socotra

Can I travel to Socotra? The Yemeni island of Socotra has been described as the “most alien-looking place on earth”.

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How to: Travel to Socotra Island, Yemen

S omewhere between 189 and 217 nautical miles off the coast of Yemen (depending on your source of information), and some 130 off the coast of Somalia, like a tiny, glittering tongue-stud in the gaping maw of the Gulf of Aden, lies the legendary island of Socotra (Suquṭra), ancient source of ambergris, dragon’s blood, frankincense, and myrrh.

Now an International Biosphere Reserve , it’s been called a Wonder Land , the Galapagos of the Indian Ocean , and one of The Most Alien Landscapes on Earth .

“It is one of those unique places in the world,” says Spanish toptrotter Jorge Sanchez, founder of the well-respected Travelers Exploits Club .

And it has a long and distinguished history of being very hard to get to.

With two annual monsoons (southwest from June-October and northeast from April-May), no natural harbor, not much anchorage to speak of, and a flourishing offshore piracy business, arrival by sea has always been problematic.

Thomas the Apostle is said to have been shipwrecked here sometime in the first century A.D., on his way to or from India. They say he built a church from the wreckage.

Marco Polo managed a safe landing, apparently, but noted the abundance of corsairs selling booty to the locals. For the generally uncooperative weather he squarely blamed the latter: a naked people he described as “ the most skilful enchanters in the world. ” He continues,

[I]f a ship is proceeding full sail with a favourable wind, they raise a contrary one, and oblige it to return. They can make it blow from any quarter they please, and cause either a dead calm or a violent tempest.

According to The Arabian Nights , Sinbad the Sailor made a brief call here on his fifth voyage , only to have his ship destroyed not by Socotran witchcraft but by a pair of huge, angry, possibly not entirely mythical birds-of-prey dropping boulders on it.

Birds of such description no longer factor among the 211 species on the Socotra Bird Checklist and the last Socotran witchcraft trials are said to have been held in the 1970s, but the corsairs, as always well-equipped with the latest in contemporary weaponry and chutzpah, are still very much in business.

According to Alan Lucas’ classic Red Sea and Indian Ocean Cruising Guide , “vessels have been grappled and towed into shore for looting.” Yachtsmen are advised to give the archipelago as wide a berth as possible.

Several local fishermen have been murdered in 2009, or have had their boats or engines taken out from under them at gunpoint. A freighter bound for Socotra with 2,000 tons of diesel fuel was taken by Somali pirates and held for ransom between January and April of 2009, causing a shortage of electricity on the island.

The silver lining, for diving enthusiasts, is an unparalleled underwater landscape of sunken vessels waiting to be explored.

Bill Altaffer, of Expedition Photo Travel in San Diego, was among the first tourists to Socotra after a new airstrip was built in 1999. It almost didn’t happen for him.

“We got on a plane in Sana’a,” he recalls.

It was a crummy plane, a Yemen Air piece of shit, and as we’re about to lift off there’s this big bang and flames shoot out of the engine.

Altaffer’s been to every country in the world, plus 300 island groups, disputed areas, territories, and colonies. He’s been to both poles. He’s surfed off every continent and skied on six. The dude was the first American to surf the legendary Queenscliff bombora off Manly Beach in Sydney (in 1962).

He wasn’t about to let a little equipment failure get in the way of his pioneering visit to what he describes as “an island full of blond people who are descendants of Alexander the Great.”

If it had come to it, he’d have gone through Aden, where weeks earlier the USS Cole had docked to a warm welcome of Al Qaeda-brand C-4 explosives. As it turned out, Yemenia found another plane in somewhat better condition.

Charles Veley, of San Francisco, who, by his own count, is The World’s Most Traveled Man, has been to 710 “countries, territories, autonomous regions, enclaves, geographically separated island groups, and major states and provinces.” When he gets to 762 he figures he’ll have been “everywhere” — that is, unless the number goes up before he gets there.

He hit Socotra early on December 31, 2004, back when there was only one flight a week, “so the choice was whether to turn around the same day or stay 7 days.”

Veley stayed for a couple of hours, found the landscape “remarkable and otherworldly,” and the people “super-friendly — much friendlier than on the mainland,” then got back on the plane in time to make a giant New Year’s Eve party and Sean Paul concert at the Sheraton in Addis Ababa.

When he goes back to Socotra, he says, he’ll spend 3-5 days and treat it “like a camping trip, because the hotels are basic and in the only town [Hadibo], and the scenery is far out of town.”

Until recently, Yemenia (Yemen National Airways) was the only airline with semi-regular service to Socotra (SCT). For a while it was almost daily, out of both Sana’a and Aden, through Riyan (RIY) at Al Mukalla.

Now, both Yemenia Airway (once a week) and Felix Airways (twice a week) fly to Socotra from Sana’s airport in Yemen. You can also fly into Socotra from Sharjah airport in the United Arab Emirates once a week.

And let us know how it goes!

Rules, Regs & Red Flags

For the latest travel advisories, piracy and terrorism updates, and general visa information, check the U.S. State Department’s oft-updated Yemen Page.

General Notes/Tips from Jorge Sanchez

You can hitch hike from the airport to Hadibo: the first car will give you a ride. In Hadibo there are several hotels, you can bargain for the price. The first one is where all tourists meet, Germans, Italians, and the rest. They organize trips, excursions, rent Land Rovers, etc. I went further downtown and found a nice hotel, cheap, with shower. But several nights I slept à la belle etoile, on the beach. People brought us mattresses to sleep on the sand. Fish is good and cheap, as well as goats. Transport is easy: just stop any pick-up and negotiate a price for the highlights of the island, especially the dragon’s blood trees and the oasis in the middle of the island, it’s all very cheap. Learn some Arabic, it’s very useful in negotiating prices. The only inconvenience is that beers are forbidden, and all alcohol, so it’s water or Coca Cola. Still, you will not regret visiting Socotra!

This article was originally published on July 27th, 2009.

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TRAVEL TO SOCOTRA

Welcome to the mesmerizing world of Socotra Island, a hidden gem nestled in the Indian Ocean. Situated off the coast of Yemen, Socotra is a place of unparalleled beauty and wonder, where landscapes meet extraordinary biodiversity, making it a destination unlike any other.

Socotra Island is Unique

What sets Socotra apart is its unique blend of surreal landscapes, rare flora and fauna, and a rich cultural tapestry. Also known as the “Galapagos of the Indian Ocean,” Socotra is home to endemic species found nowhere else on Earth, including the iconic Dragon’s Blood Tree with its umbrella-like canopy and the otherworldly Bottle Trees that dot the landscape like sentinels from a forgotten era.

Beyond its natural wonders, Socotra boasts a rich cultural heritage shaped by centuries of trade and conquest. The island’s strategic location along ancient trade routes has left a legacy of diverse influences, reflected in its cuisine, and traditions.

How to Travel to Socotra Archipelago

While Socotra’s remote location may seem daunting, traveling to this enchanting island is more accessible than ever before. With regular flights from the UAE, adventurers from around the globe can now embark on a journey to discover the secrets of Socotra firsthand.

Whether you’re a nature enthusiast seeking out rare and endemic species, an intrepid traveler craving off-the-beaten-path experiences, or a cultural explorer eager to uncover the island’s rich heritage, Socotra promises an unforgettable adventure unlike any other destination on Earth. Join us as we delve into the mysteries of Socotra and experience the magic of this truly unique island paradise.

Best Time to Visit Socotra

The peak season for visiting Socotra is between January and April as these are excelent months due to the weather conditions. Besides October to December are also good months to visit the Island although those months can be wet and rainy. December is the most rainy month in Socotra Archipelago. Avoid visiting Socotra from May to September as there incredible hot and you can barely survive in a island where you spend the majority of the time outside in the nature.

January to April: Peak season, wet season is finishing and the temperatures are still good. May to September: Avoid visiting during these months due to the incredible hot temperatures. Besides, you will not find flights operating during these months. October to December: Wet and rainy season. You can visit Socotra during these months, although better to Avoid December due to rainy season.

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How do you travel to Socotra?

Our ultimate guide on travelling to Socotra

The island of Socotra is high on the bucket list for many adventurous travellers. And rightly so, nature is unprecedented. A third of the flora and fauna is native to Socotra. But how do you get to Socotra? The easiest way to travel to Socotra is by plane. You can also travel by boat, but then you will have to find a cargo ship in the Omani coastal town of Salalah that you can sail on. There is no scheduled sailing route for passengers to Socotra.

Where is Socotra?

The island of Socotra (also known as Soqotra ) is part of the Socotra Archipelago. The archipelago is located about 300 km off the coast of Yemen and Somalia , near the Horn of Africa. The archipelago consists of the main island of Socotra and the smaller islands of Abd Al Kuri, Samha and Darsa. However, the vast majority of people live on Socotra. 

How do you fly to Socotra?

Let’s be clear: the island of Socotra is not easy to reach. Although the island has attracted adventure travelers for years, Socotra’s potential has never been fully exploited. It has had successful years, but due to the civil war in Yemen, tourism has also  collapsed. The remoteness and the small number of tourists is the attraction for many people. Because of the beautiful flora and fauna and the isolation, you really have the feeling being on a unique piece of earth, far away from everything.

The old flight route: with Yemen Airways Cairo – Socotra

At the end of 2018, a commercial flight to Socotra appeared for the first time in years. Yemen Airways launched that year the route Cairo (Egypt) – Seiyun – Socotra. The flight departed Cairo in the middle of the night, arriving in the early morning in Seiyun, a town in Yemen’s Hadramout province. The flight then continued onward to Socotra, where it would arrive several hours later. The weekly flight would depart from Cairo in the night from Tuesday to Wednesday. After arriving on Socotra, the aircraft then returned with passengers via Seiyun back to Cairo, for an afternoon arrival. 

End 2020 – Felix Airways

At the end of 2020 the arrangement suddenly changed. Yemen’s second airline, Felix Airways, took over the route and flew from Dubai directly to Socotra. In the beginning on Mondays and Thursdays, and later only on Monday. The Yemen Airways flight was split and was no longer direct. On Tuesday, there were flights between Cairo and Seiyun and on Wednesday between Seiyun and Socotra.

Travel to Socotra in 2021 and 2022: from Abu Dhabi with Air Arabia

In the spring of 2021, the route changed again. Air Arabia took over the route from Felix Airways and started flying between Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) and Socotra. A direct flight departs every Monday morning at 10:00 AM, with arrival on the island of Socotra at 11:30 AM (local time). The return flight departs at 1:00 PM on Monday and returns to Abu Dhabi at 4:00 PM (local time).

Air Arabia ‘s flight departs from Abu Dhabi all year round. However, keep in mind that between May and September it is hurricane season. Due to bad weather, the flight may suddenly be cancelled or delayed. We therefore recommend traveling to Socotra between October and April.

Do you want to travel to Socotra ? Take a look at our independent tours or group tours to Socotra. Do you need more information? Get in touch with us now.

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WelcomeToSocotra - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

My Free Range Family

Destinations , Yemen, Socotra Island · Last Updated: November 24, 2023

A Socotra Tour Review & Guide to Tourism on the Island

🐲 The unique island of Socotra, Yemen – land of the Dragon Blood tree – an ideal tour destination for an intrepid travel lover and nature enthusiast ! And chances are, you didn’t land here by accident. I’m going to take a punt and say you’ve heard of the hidden island of Socotra and may be curious about the possibility of tourism to this strange land. 

I’ve been where you are, interest piqued by Nat Geo photos of an exotic island , an alien like tree, sandy white beaches and the bluest water you’ve ever laid eyes on . What’s more, the country to which this island belongs is seldom visited by tourists. Curiosity has probably got the better of you, just like it did me.  

And at a quick glance, you’ll quickly see that Socotra island offers the perfect balance of adventure travel tourism AND awe-inspiring nature. From beach time, to hiking, cave exploration, snorkelling or diving, this little island packs one heck of a punch! It’s no wonder photographers and adventure travel junkies flock to Socotra for a glimpse of its unique landscape and compelling beauty.

So now it’s your turn and we’ve made this next step easy for you. Just read this post to narrow down the best tour operator and then book your Socotra expedition of a lifetime .  

Sounds cliché but trust me… I exaggerate not.  Socotra in just two words is  Next Level !

Below I tell you all about what to expect on a guided tour of Socotra, including tour prices along with a discount code . As well as some essential travel tips you should know. So read on for all the juicy details.

Table of Contents

How Tourism in Socotra Works

* This post may contain affiliate links that may earn me a small commission should you decide to click through and make a valid purchase (at no extra cost to you). Thanks for your support!

We travelled to Socotra, post covid, from Abu Dhabi with Air Arabia. But note: you won’t find flights to Socotra through booking platforms online.

On arrival we quickly gathered a better understanding of how tourism in Socotra functions.  External travel agents are connected with internal locally certified tourism companies.  The external operator arranges everything via the internal local Yemeni operator, including visas, flights, accommodation… the whole nine yards.  

At this point there are only a few local providers and you can only enter and travel within Socotra with their sponsorship and guidance.   Essentially, they invite you, arrange your tourist visa and are then responsible for you on the island.  

This is why tourism in Socotra is only possible with a guided tour. Which when you consider the unique landscape and thus fragile ecosystem, this guided system is a necessity in protecting the island’s unique and rare biodiversity.

Book with Inertia Network & use our discount code: FREERANGE100 for $100 (per indv) off a trip to Socotra!

To Camp or Not to Camp?

You essentially have a couple of options regarding accommodation. When thinking about your tour to Socotra you need to decide if you prefer a bed and shower… or NOT! The alternative is camping.  

And if you ask me, I thoroughly recommend the second option.  Camping is where the adventure is AT. Your guides take care of everything too, they pitch your tent, prepare your mattress and so it’s up to you to simply pick the exact spot to park your tent.  

Most of the camping is on the beach and are in designated camp sites.   The only downside of this is the bathroom situation. But in my opinion, this is a once in a lifetime experience. And if it means you have to crap in the wilderness once or twice, well it’s a small price to pay for getting to sleep on some of the most stunning beaches in the world.  

AND if the thought of camping literally scares the crap out of you, then read our packing list linked below. We share some tips on how to make the experience a little less daunting and little more comfortable.

The last night of your Socotra tour you will be taken to stay in a hotel. We stayed at the Heathrow Hotel which is across the road from the airport. And I’ve got to say it, but the shower and bed were a welcome sight after six nights of camping.

Read: Our post on packing essentials for Socotra !

Hotels in Hadibo

However, if camping still doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, then go for the hotel option of course. When you stay here the driver and guide pick you up and drop you off each day. This means that you stay in the main town of Hadibo (the capital of Socotra) and tour the sights by day . Which means, you need to be okay with a couple of longer days road trippin.

According to our guide there are a few hotels in Hadibo and they range between 2-3 stars and so they are very simple. Actually, I think what makes Socotra a special place to visit is the lack of 5 star hotels. I feel it preserves tourism in Socotra and protects the off the beaten track experience. Tourism in Socotra feels raw, real and as a result way more authentic.  

Note: We met other travellers during our visit who opted for a hotel stay. While I know they did enjoy their bed and shower at the end of the day, I couldn’t help but pick up an element of regret in their conversation, that they had not camped.

How the Guided Tours Work

Your guide and driver are there at the airport to meet you on arrival.  And it’s straight in!  The tour of Socotra island immediately gets underway… so prepare to be wowed.

You are assigned a cook who will serve you three delicious meals a day , consisting mostly of biryani (rice dish), fresh fish, salad and flat bread. And breakfast is usually beans, eggs of some kind and flat breads. The food was simple but very good and at no stage will you go hungry!

You will likely stay in a different campsite each night as Socotra is surprisingly quite large. And given that each corner of the island has something uniquely different to offer, it makes sense that you will travel an hour or two between locations, setting up a new camp each time. I would highly recommend you don’t worry about the itinerary too much, just sit back relax and let the wonder unfold infront of you.

Ofcourse each tour provider operates slightly differently and so my experience of Socotra is based on our tour with Inertia Network . Read – Who to Book Your Tour With below for our tour review.

💁‍♀️ Socotra Travel Tour Tip: If you prefer to avoid crowds let your guide know and they can find ways of making this happen. For example taking you to more remote locations and arriving to the hot spots earlier or later. We asked for a couple of unique requests and our guide was terrific at fitting this into our tour. And in fact, these became some of our favourite experiences on our Socotra tour.

Who to Book Your Tour With ?

I really did my homework before booking as I wanted to ensure that I found the right tour operator.  If we were going to make the trip to Socotra, we wanted to do it right.  I emailed many, asked many questions (as I always do) and finally came across one that ticked all the boxes. I stumbled across a series of itineraries and micro-group tours to Socotra with Inertia Network and knew that I had found the right tour provider for us. 

There were three main things I was looking for… company ethos around sustainability, group tour size and last but not least… cost.  But let’s breakdown how Inertia Network met these prerequisites for me.

Use Discount Code: FREERANGE100 – Just quote it and get $100 off (per individual) on your trip to Socotra!

Reason Number One – Ethos 

This is such an important one for our little free range family.  Just to be clear, we don’t take preorganized tours often, it’s just not how we tend to travel.  But after reading Inertia’s website from top to bottom I had an inkling that they could be the right provider for us.  

After emailing back and forth, I felt that they shared a similar vision around travel that we go in search of.  The kind of travel where you tread gently in off beat destinations, looking for authentic experiences . You know the kind of travel I’m talking about right?  

Inertia Network take travellers on expeditions, rather than tourists on holiday if you catch my drift.  They seek to protect and preserve the destinations they visit making travel more sustainable in the long run in terms of conservation and impact.  Box one – tick.

Reason Number Two – Group Size  

I reiterate we don’t often book tours!  Booking a large organized group tour gives me anxiety.  So, we weren’t wanting to be lumped in with a group feeling like just another number in the herd.  And we were not, it was the two of us, a driver and a guide. 

I can’t tell you how happy we were that we had this super intimate experience within Socotra .  We saw many large groups travelling in convoys.  Strangers grouped together and limited essentially to locations that could cater for larger groups.  

While we could pick up and move on whenever we were ready, sleep in more remote locations like under the dragon blood trees, see more of the island and go to places that interested us, just us. Box two – tick.

🧭 If you are the kind of traveller that enjoys group travel, I can tell you that Inertia Network plan some awesome micro-group itineraries – check them out here !

Reason Number Three – Cost  

Visiting Socotra is bucketlist stuff, it’s obviously super unique and that makes travel here more expensive than your average holiday destination.  

After rounding in a number of quotes, I discovered that Inertia Network not only would give us what we needed in terms of experience, but also that their rates were very reasonable.  Basically, they provided us with a one week all-inclusive bucketlist expedition at a fair and competitive price .  Box three – tick.

AND… We have teamed up with Inertia Network since our trip. They have kindly offered a discount to our readers. So if you quote the code – FREERANGE100 – they will give a $100 discount to each individual who signs up for any trip!

Awesome right… trust me, you couldn’t book with a cooler team 💥

Inertia Network and Expeditions Beyond Socotra

If Inertia Network sounds like they might tick your boxes too, then you should also check out their other expeditions here .

And if you are wondering which trip we took – it was the 8 day Biodiversity Highlights Trip . They have two trips coming up in 2024, one in February and one in April. With micro groups no bigger than 6 people, and a price tag of $1600 USD, you are in for a trip of a lifetime .

And you can make that $1500 per person, with our discount code: FREERANGE100.

The team always have SUPER unique and exciting travel expeditions up their sleeve… their intrepid adventures go way WAY beyond the main tourist trail. Basically, you should expect perspective changing type of travel but also the opportunity to meet really cool people at the same time.

🌱 It wasn’t until we got to Socotra that I was truly grateful for doing the research in finding the right tour operator.  Read on to find out more about our travels, sustainable tourism in Socotra and the benefits of booking with Inertia .

Sustainable Tourism in Socotra

In a nutshell… we had the most amazing time in Socotra on our tour. It is just such a wildly unique destination. In our opinion, Socotra needs to be on your travel radar if you love off beat travel. But at the same time it needs to be protected.

And so I urge anyone planning a trip to Socotra to choose a responsible tour operator who has sustainability and conservation clearly in their sights .

Following many in depth conversations with Mohammed the local tour operator, I was confident that our decision making, was well justified. You see, I love to get down to the nitty gritty and ask all those uncomfortable questions that need to be approached. I always want to ensure that our travel along with the tour providers that we recommend, do not negatively impact, or come at a cost to the local infrastructure, community and environment.

These conversations with Mohammed lead to a deeper understanding of the efforts he has personally taken to protect his homeland of Socotra. His goals for his island are based on several foundations. Cleaning the streets of Hadibo (the capital) and finding more efficient waste management systems, increasing access to education for all, better opportunities around gender equality and exploring new methods around and improving current agricultural practices.

💧 Promoting sustainable travel is at the centre of why I show up here!

When You Support Local

I was very excited to hear that in 2020 Mohammed founded a school in Hadibo in which they accept international volunteers to assist with education and administration.

We also discovered that 20% of the tour profits go to supporting the school and teachers employed . Lessons around computer studies, english and other classes that will ultimately support local quality of life. A tour of the school gave me increased confidence that we were in good hands and that as a result of our booking with Inertia the locals were benefiting.

When asked about his thoughts on the future of tourism in Socotra, Mohammed expressed his hopes that 5 star hotels would not make it to the island. An opinion that we share.

From our perspective tourism in Socotra would benefit from the continued current sustainable approach towards guided tours and camping on beaches. But only time will tell, how tourism will evolve in Socotra and in the meantime supporting local tour guides such as Mohammed, has a positive impact for the Socotri people.

If you have any questions or ponderings about visiting Socotra then absolutely do not hesitate to get in touch!

✈️ Don’t miss our post on Travel to Socotra – Everything You Ought to Know 🐬 Or this one on – Is it Safe to Travel to Socotra 🐲 Or read here for the 10 best locations to visit on Socotra Island

And of course I recommend that you bookmark or pin this post for later, for when your Socotra travel planning begins.

We now travel full-time and have plenty more itineraries and guides to share on all the destinations we visit. Sign up to follow our journey! (And don’t worry we won’t spam you with unnecessary emails.)

You’ll Also Love

April 21, 2022 at 8:14 pm

Amazing post! Loved seeing and hearing about your journey on Instagram, and thank you so much for your kind words, Sharon. Hope we can have the pleasure of taking you to another amazing place sometime in the future 🙂

Best, Isaac from Inertia Network

April 28, 2022 at 6:17 pm

The pleasure was all mine Isaac… we certainly hope to travel with Inertia again in the future. You guys are straight up awesome!!

October 20, 2022 at 7:12 pm

Thank you for a well informed piece, A bit of an unusual question but I will have my laptop with me. Will it be safe to travel with or would you recommend leaving it in a locker in Abu Dhabi airport for the duration?

October 20, 2022 at 7:50 pm

Hi Mick, thanks for your question. Not unusual at all… we took our laptop so that we could offload our photos every day. So from our experience, it was perfectly safe.

July 17, 2023 at 10:57 pm

Love this, I’ve been wanting to visit Socotra since 2011, but have never made it/the internal conflict in Yemen.

Did you feel safe at all times? I’d like to go with my boyfriend, and as a gay man, I worry about how that would go. I’m considering asking other friends to join us in order to offset the vibe, but TBD. Let me know what your thoughts are!

August 10, 2023 at 12:22 am

Hi DJ, oh you must go… it’s one of the best travel experiences you’ll ever have! In terms of safety, we felt safe 100% of the time, but I couldn’t comment on how gay people would be received. In saying this, we have lived in the Middle East for years, and like all Islamic countries, you would just need to be mindful about what information you share openly and how you act in public. The same would go for my husband and I… we wouldn’t be openly affectionate or touch in public, as this is generally frowned upon, particularly in stricter countries. I know this doesn’t answer your question but I hope it helps 🙂

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FAQs on Socotra Trip and Island

Socotra has always been surrounded by mystery: isolated in the ocean for millions of years, ancient legends of ‘yins’ (genies), forests of sacred incense trees, healing red resins from the Dragon Blood Tree…

Legend or Reality? You have to come and find out. The fact is that Socotra is a virgin and unexplored destination. A third of its fauna and flora is endemic to the island! We live in the digital age where there is practically no place in the world undiscovered, except Socotra #TheMostAlienPlaceOnEarth You will not be disappointed. The island is renowned for its marked contrasts. Visually striking, you will enjoy this wild prehistoric beauty that will transport you to movie sets and an out-of-this-world reality. Socotra has its own language, Soqotri. A language only spoken, not written. Socotris are very proud of it. At the same time, the vast majority of the population speaks Arabic, which they learn in schools. On the other hand, English is not very widespread. It is not a problem when it comes to communicating since Socotris are friendly and love to talk. Oral tradition is in their blood. They will always find a way to communicate with you, without a doubt with a big smile. The harsh climate means that there is not great vegetation and soil to cultivate easily. The main vegetables are onion, cucumber, and tomato. As for fruits, mango and papaya are of excellent quality, such as melon, watermelon, and, to a lesser extent, banana. The exceptional quality of the native honey and dates is noteworthy too. Goat, beef, chicken and camel meat are the most appreciated normally with rice and spices. The fish is of the highest quality. Fresh and caught in Socotra’s pristine waters, the flavor of its meat, with hardly any seasoning, is worthy of any gourmet restaurant. As for crafts, women are the experts in this matter. You can find handicrafts made with palm leaves, wool, and mud: pottery, bags, hats, tablecloths that are worth buying. Socotra or Soqotra (Arabic: سُقُطْرَىٰ‎ Suquṭrā; Somali: Suqadara), is located between the Guardafui Channel and the Arabian Sea, it is the largest of the four islands in the Socotra archipelago. The territory is near major shipping routes and is officially part of Yemen, and had long been a subdivision of Aden Governorate.  

In 2008 Socotra was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The island is isolated and home to a high number of endemic species. Up to a third of its plant life is endemic.

Yes it is open for tourists!!! you can fly with Air Arabia on a new non-stop route from Abu Dhabi to Socotra. Its a weekly flight, every Monday at 10:00 am departing Abu Dhabi and arriving in Socotra at 11:30 am. The returning flight from Socotra departs at 1:00 pm and arrived in Abu Dhabi at 4:00 pm.

Contact Socotra Trip  to arrange for your Travel to Socotra Islands

December and January are rainy, but still manageable if you want to visit.

October to May is the best season to visit, although Best months are October, November and February, These months are not too hot and not too rainy, which are perfect for hiking and doing outdoor stuff, which are the main attractions to indulge in Socotra. This time is also great for wildlife attractions. June to September is monsoon season and too windy, which makes it undesirable both for hiking and outdoor sightseeing. But great for windsurfing, weather is ideal for this kind of activity. Summer is quite hot, not crazy hot. In fact, it is perfect beach weather, the hikes, will get a bit hot though!

Two Packages available at the Socotra Trip:

THE BACKPACKERS PACKAGE (8 DAY 7 NIGHTS TRIP)

THE DREAMERS PACKAGE (8 DAY 7 NIGHTS TRIP) 

MORE INFO ON  SOCOTRA PACKAGES

8 DAY 7 NIGHTS TRIP INCLUSIVE OF THE FOLLOWING

• Roundtrip flight Abu Dhabi – Hadibo – Abu Dhabi
• Accommodation 8 days and 7 nights: 6 nights camping (all equipment included) /1 night at La Sirena Hotel in Hadiboo (double occupancy room).
• Transportation 4 wheel cars (AC and fuel included) / 4 people each car (starts and ends at the airport).
• Local tour guides, beduins guides, and drivers
• 8 days excursions with a full guided & scheduled itinerary (since you land until your departure).
• Hiking and walking trails.
• Boat trip to Shoab Beach (typical fishermen boats)
• 3 meals a day
• Mineral Water
• Selection of soft drinks (juices & sodas, 15 max per day and per person)
• Protected Area Fees
• Antigen Rapid Test Swab mandatory before leaving Socotra (a medical representative will come to our place)
• Socotra trip memorabilia

MORE INFO ON  SOCOTRA TRAVEL PRICING

Travel to Socotra is indeed safe, and as long as you follow standard precautions while traveling to the island. Plan Your Trip

Almost all inhabitants of Socotra Islands, numbering about 50,000, live on the main island of the archipelago. Only about 450 people live on ‘Abd-al-Kūrī and 100 on Samha; the island of Darsa and the islets of the archipelago are uninhabited. More Info about The Socotra Island

• Trekking, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, and meeting the bedouins of the mountains.
• If you want to dive, you will think that you are in an aquarium full of marine life.
• Spotting dolphins? Socotra is a privileged place.
• Have fun in the natural sea lagoons doing kayak or SUP.
• Fishing? Our camera will be ready to immortalize a catch worthy of record.
• Wind? Yes, and a lot, a paradise always dreamed of by the best kite surfers.
• Passionate about heights? dare to take a trip by gyrocopter or by helicopter.

Check Detailed Experiences in Socotra Islands

• Travel Packages to Socotra
• Is Socotra open for tourists?
• How much does it cost to visit Socotra?
• Is it safe to travel to Socotra?
• FAQs on Socotra Island?

• Experience Socotra
• The Socotra Island
• Tour Packages
• Plan Your Trip

Socotra Seaport Road,

Hadibo La Sirena Hotel,

Dubai Investment Park -1,

What No One Tells You About Traveling to Socotra Island

Should you travel to Socotra Island in Yemen? It might be a bit strange for me to ask this question after you’ve seen some of the photos and probably wondering how to get there . The alien island of Socotra is incredibly unique so it’s not surprising that many people really want to visit. 

I’ve been wanting to travel to Socotra for years, but after my visit, I cannot honestly tell you if tourism in Socotra is entirely a good thing.

I’m not going to tell you not to go to Socotra, especially after I went myself (that would sound hypocritical, as I already experienced its beauty), but I would like to ask you to consider certain things before your visit as a tourist. I’m also aware that tourism in Socotra cannot be stopped.

Things to Think About Before Traveling to Socotra

How Much Are Locals Benefiting from You Traveling to Socotra?

Before the Yemeni war, there were only a few local Socotri companies and guides that could arrange your trip and recommendations were spreading through word of mouth.

These days in the era of the internet, blogs and Instagram, you can book a trip to Socotra through many agencies that specialize in these so-called ‘hardcore places’ – unsurprisingly none of them are locally based. Slogans of these companies are always the same and somehow promote the places as cool because your parents are afraid of going there: “destinations your mother would rather you stay away from”, “places you should not tell your mother about” and so on.

To be clear, I don’t think anyone should have any issues with a middleman making money off organizing a tour, especially when they’re doing all the legwork like booking your visas, flights, bringing tents, and talking to locals. Personally, I think it’s obviously fair.

Regardless of the “agency” or person you’re booking your trip with, your trip will be facilitated by the locals – there’s no way around it. The big question, however, is how much do the locals actually profit from you traveling there?

The price for a trip to Socotra isn’t a secret – regardless of whom you’re going with, it’s not cheap. Plus, due to just one weekly flight which for foreigners is crazy pricy ($800-1300ish return from Cairo or Dubai), it’s always a 7-day tour. Total tour prices range between $3000 and $4500.

As you can see these prices are different and the standard does not depend on the price, as there are no luxury hotels on Socotra (there are just 3 hotels and they’re not always available anyway), so you’re camping in remote places regardless of where you’re coming from.

I wrote a separate post about how locals are or aren’t always benefiting from your money . Locals charge a rate per person, so regardless if you’re a group of 4 of 15 it’s the same price. For a solo traveler, things would be more expensive as you still need a car.

The thing is, foreign guides don’t always know anything about the destination. In fact, quite often they’ve never even been there before . I went on a trip with one of these companies to another destination only to realize that the “guide” had never been there before.

Frankly, I wasn’t the only one in the group wondering where my money went (since I know how much things cost if you cut out the middle man), and more importantly what was the point of it.

What bugs me though, is when a company advertises conservation efforts, but then they bring their friends over making it 4 foreign “guides” coming on a trip on top of the local team. This did not provide anything extra for the guests that locals wouldn’t have provided.

Not to mention the fact that with 4 “guides” one would expect a very organized trip, but we never knew where we were going and we often felt rushed. Many photo opportunities were blocked because the organizers decided to take their own photos instead. I always thought that was the right and fair thing to do to give your paying group a priority.

Ironically, it was actually a “good tour”, because there was a big group on the island at the same time who sneaked alcohol in and was partying and yelling every night to the extent their drivers were so exhausted they could barely drive, as they weren’t able to sleep.

More importantly…

Ecotourism Issue in Socotra

Every single company arranging trips to Socotra is promoting ecotourism. Socotra is being introduced as a place to go remote camping, experience unique nature, sleep under the stars, and so on. 

According to the definition, ecotourism is: is a form of tourism involving visiting fragile, pristine, and relatively undisturbed natural areas. It conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education. Education is meant to be inclusive of both staff and guests.

Principles of ecotourism include:

• Minimize physical, social, behavioral, and psychological impacts.
• Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect.
• Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts.
• Provide direct financial benefits for conservation.
• Generate financial benefits for both local people and private industry.
• Deliver memorable interpretative experiences to visitors that help raise sensitivity to host countries’ political, environmental, and social climates.
• Design, construct, and operate low-impact facilities.
• Recognize the rights and spiritual beliefs of the Indigenous People in your community and work in partnership with them to create empowerment.

Quite frankly, this is definitely not what’s happening with tourism in Socotra in most cases. 

Let’s start with minimalizing social impacts and cultural respect, for example, Socotra is still a part of Yemen which means it’s a very Muslim country. Women are rarely seen and if they do come out they’re wearing full-on burqa and niqab. Yet, when tourists arrive no one is covering up. 

We were asked to cover our legs when visiting small towns, but anywhere else a bikini and shorts were a way to go because “there’s no one around”. I packed a bunch of long dresses, shawls, and covered swimwear, and never got to use most of it because everyone was running around in shorts and bikinis.

While it’s true that in most spots it was just our group and possibly another group of tourists, we did occasionally see women passing by, our drivers and cooks (about 8 of them) were local too and we always ran into local kids. I cannot claim and say that anyone was offended as I speak no Socotri and the guides claimed they’re “used to tourists”. 

I can only say that based on my deep conversations in other Muslim countries not everyone was happy with it. Especially when a tourist is walking in a crop top through Hadibo – the busy main town in Socotra.

Not to mention respecting local customs and wishes. Socotra is a place where you can camp wherever you want. In Diksam Plateau we camped in designated spots, not to disturb the villagers as advised by our local guide.

However, I was told that even a year before one of the foreign organizers decided to set camp next to Dragon Blood Trees and when locals objected, he decided to bribe them to let the group stay. 

There’s a thorough luggage check upon entry and exit from Socotra (although it’s just enforced on women’s carry-on bags on the way out) and you could see many bottles of alcohol being confiscated.

But, not all bottles were confiscated since one of the groups had crazy drunken parties screaming and jumping off tables every night next to other camps who wanted to sleep, not to mention very displeased local guides.

This doesn’t surprise me, considering the fact that one of the companies is advertising Socotra trips as: “Beaches, hikes, lagoons, camping, cold showers, dragon blood trees, smuggled booze, and lots of crazy stories.”

Dragon Blood Trees of Socotra

I’ve yet to see any company making any efforts regarding conservation. I’m highly aware that because of the situation in Yemen (for those unaware Yemeni Civil War is an ongoing conflict that began in 2015 between two factions; while Socotra wasn’t that much affected by it apart from Saudis blocking the access for a while, the island is still ruled by Yemen) doing anything at the moment is problematic, but tourists could help a bit.

Most dragon blood trees, which Socotra is mostly famous for, are very old and unfortunately, there are no new trees growing anywhere apart from a small nursery. Why? Because of hungry goats and wild typhoons. 

While we cannot do anything about the latter, the goat issue could be helped. Goats are very cute, but Socotra has way too many of them (goats were brought there by humans, they’re not endemic to Socotra) that are literally everywhere destroying the natural flora and eating baby dragon blood trees.

I felt the same way as some National Geographic journalists – it was quite sad to see. When I came back home and started reading up about it, many botanist enthusiasts interested in endemic species were quite saddened by what they saw. 

People would ask: why don’t locals do something about it? To put it simply, life in Socotra (or mainland Yemen) isn’t easy. It’s understandable that locals don’t have the resources or financial help to rescue the trees. 

However, we tourists do. Another remote island of South Georgia had a similar issue, but with rats. The whole project of removing the rats started with visitors’ ideas and donations and was successfully finished in 2018. It’s all possible with a little will, especially considering that people are can afford to pay a high price for a trip to Socotra can spare some money. 

The Trash Problem

It would be unrealistic for me to present Socotra as a natural paradise without mentioning that it’s also so full of trash that it can make many sad. There is literally not a square meter on land that doesn’t have goat feces (Socotra does have a goat problem), or trash, or both.

When I addressed the issue of trash o n social media many people weren’t aware of the presence of trash on beaches. Unsurprisingly, most people who travel almost exclusively to resorts or hotel beaches won’t see it, as trash is being cleaned every day by the staff.

Socotra isn’t alone in the trash problem. All over the world, including popular islands of Bali , Easter Island, Boracay (I actually received death threats for addressing this issue there, but the government finally closed the island a few years later) – all have this problem, Tulum , Maldives even has a dedicated trash islands that finally got more attention thanks to my friend Allison.

The truth is, many people don’t want to see it. When I asked some fellow Polish tourists leaving Socotra how they felt about it, their response was ‘what trash?’ . Another person told me that “people travel to have fun, not to care about the problems locals should fix, so they just ignore it when they see it.”

I sincerely hope not all tourists think that. In many places including Socotra, Syria (where a similar trash problem is an issue), or anywhere in Africa, locals aren’t in a position to do much on a bigger scale, or even a small scale. But we – those more privileged, do . We all share the same planet together and should take care of it together.

While our group did a beach cleanup that resulted in a full truck of waste within an hour, it changed nothing in the long run. It just made everyone feel a bit better and we got local boys to come help as well, but in a week things will look the same. If every group of tourists did it could be the start of a bigger initiative. 

Plastic is a problem everywhere, I’m not discovering something new with what I just told you. But, what baffled me was the amount of trash we – visitors, produced ourselves. Every meal resulted in a giant bag of trash if not two of them. 

When you ask a Socotri what do they eat every day the answer will be simple: rice, local bread, fish and occasionally a goat or cow. They’re used to it. For foreigners, they made spaghetti, brought vegetables, instant noodles, spicy sauce, and small water bottles.

As you can imagine, everything has to be imported to Socotra and with imported things, single-use plastic is coming as well.  Villages have no form of trash collection, so as a result the trash can get stuck there.

The Impact of Tourists on Socotra

If you look at TripAdvisor you can see that people loved the fact that there weren’t many other tourists on the island. Even back in 2019 there were about 15-30 foreigners on the island every week.

When I went – in March 2020, it was a completely different story. Our flight brought over 100-120 tourists, the flight before also had a high number and film crews, and the ones after (before the cancellations due to coronavirus) were sold out as well. 

Socotra got a break during covid as it wasn’t reachable, but now the interest and amount of tours available tripled.

One could think that even 200 people per week on the island would be great for the local economy, especially if you compare it to another natural spot – Galapagos, which welcomes over 2500 tourists per week. 

However, Socotra is just one island and all tourists go to the same spots, just on different dates. Once you’ve been to Socotra you realize that everyone goes to the same exact spots. If the number of tourists keeps increasing these spots won’t be the same anymore.

In places where tourists are a known source of income, such as Cuba , you can see children begging for candies, pens and basically anything. It’s a difficult subject of whether you should bring donations or not , as it gets children used to it. 

But, giving away a ton of candies and chocolates to locals and kids isn’t something tourists should be doing. In Socotra, locals have no access to dental care, why would we contribute to the damage of their teeth with all that sugar?

There are plenty of villages around Africa where at the first sight of a tourist, they yell for “bonbons” or “give me a pen” and it’s not a good thing for anyone. You could rather buy some dragon blood from the locals.

If you read anything about Socotra you must have heard of Abdullah the Caveman from Detwah Lagoon . Abdullah is a guy who was raised in a cave his mother was born in. But, based on some blogs you could think he’s an actual caveman. Which is not true.

He has a smartphone, speaks great English and these days lives in a nearby town with his wife and 7 kids. He comes to the cave to stay during rainy seasons, but mostly when he’s requested by the tourists.

A boulder next to the cave says ‘welcome’ on it, it’s not as remote as it may be presented. When we reached his cave another group of tourists was just leaving.

We got served some mussels Abdullah just caught and cooked for us and then requested to go fishing with him. It was supposed to be the best experience in Socotra – but frankly, it was the only one I decided to leave early and walk back to camp on my own. 

It wasn’t because of Abdullah. He was a very nice man who simply realized he could be a tourist attraction. He showed us how he fishes with bare hands to feed himself and his family in the lagoon. Whether it’s mussels, crab, fish, octopus he’ll catch it and eat it. There’s nothing wrong with that. 

He pulled a giant octopus from the water to show us and explained that they were friends. No one else dared to touch the little guy, but then it came to the pufferfish…

Most of the people in my group have never seen pufferfish, myself included. They’re cute and when they inflate they look even more adorable. Guess what became the biggest tourist attraction over a few days we stayed at Detwah Lagoon? Pulling these poor pufferfish out of the water to make them inflate and take photos. 

Locals might do it for tourists, but they don’t know any better. I’m not a sealife specialist, but even I knew this was horrible and it harms the pufferfish . Similar to pulling starfish out of the water, they can die because of it.

Ironically, all our foreign guides were prime persuaders of this behavior along with someone who runs a local travel agency back home. I left when I noticed how someone in my group was kicking the pufferfish because ‘it wasn’t coming out to the surface for him’. 

Our group wasn’t the only one that did it – every other group in Socotra was showing off their holding pufferfish photos claiming it was ‘the best experience ever’. Can you imagine what will happen when even more tourists come to the island?

EDIT February 2024: As Socotra is becoming more and more popular since my visit with almost every travel agency offering tours, I found out that currently even the crabs are tied down in the water so they are ready for tourists. Honestly, if you think Seaworld was bad this is next level bad.

I’m not telling you not to go to Socotra. I highly recommend you consider these issues, especially if you care for the environment.

While no one is perfect and even the biggest sustainability supporters made mistakes in the past, but if we all care for the future of Socotra we need to consider making things right.

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Lita Aumüller

Saturday 20th of April 2024

Hi there, I'm so so glad to have read your article about Socotra Island. Just to know about the pain and suffering. (Actually all over the world) I would like to buy Dragons blood from the local people and was wondering if you can connect me with someone reliable to buy. It will be sample of 3 kg and ongoing trade. Sincerely Lita South Africa

Tuesday 2nd of April 2024

We are a small group of ethically concerned tourists travelling to Socotra in a few days. We did our best to scout for a local Socotri company, I truly hope we made the right choice as they were one of the best reviewed local companies we found. However they did organise the flights and visas.

This was an important read and while I consider myself quite an aware and ethically conscious traveller, some of the things you wrote about punched me in the gut (eg the pufferfish..). I will not stay silent if I witness anything like this and will be sure to demand nature, animals and communities to be treated with the respect they deserve. I feel a bit torn now about going but naively hopeful that in the long run the tourism sector in Socotra can learn and transform to the benefit of the island and its communities and its fragile ecosystem.

Wednesday 28th of February 2024

This was a very insightful and helpful– thank you!

Monday 29th of January 2024

Couldn't help noticing a sort of condescending tone in your overall article on Socotra. You seemed bothered by the presence of other tourists, yet you were a tourist yourself (why did you feel the need to write that you saw other tourists leaving Abdulah's cave?). You seem bothered by the possibility of other tourists traveling to Socotra and possibly spoiling its natural beauty, yet you were one of those people who actually bought a ticket, packed the bags and went there for a week. If you worry so much about a place and wish to keep it tourist-free how about... em... NOT WRITING about it? Not 1, but 2 freaking articles. Yeah, you seem to care about the trash and the ecosystem there and brag about your trash picking but then you whine about tourists coming there when you are just a tourist yourself and write a very public blog about "hidden gems". This seems hypocritical.

Saturday 6th of January 2024

This was a very insightful and helpful summary - thank you!

WELCOME TO SOCOTRA

A journey to the end of the world.

“The Socotra Archipelago in Yemen has long been a land of mystery. Over the centuries travellers returned from the Indian Ocean isles with bizarre tales - of trees yielding dragon's blood and cucumbers, forest of frankincense, and towering pinnacles in the mist.".

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TRAVEL CENTER

Flights To/From the Socotra Island

Navigating Your Socotra Journey: Flights, Routes, and Travel Tips

Welcome to the captivating realm of Socotra, an ecological treasure nestled in the Indian Ocean. As we delve into the practicalities of your Socotra journey, let’s first unravel the enigmatic allure of this remote destination.

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The Enigmatic Allure of Socotra

Socotra, an island in the Indian Ocean, has long fascinated adventurers and nature enthusiasts with its otherworldly landscapes and unique flora and fauna. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore not only the natural wonders of Socotra but also the practical aspects of traveling to this remote destination.

The Practicalities of Reaching Socotra

Before you can immerse yourself in Socotra’s extraordinary beauty, you need to know how to get there. We’ll delve into the flight options available and the intricacies of planning your journey.

Choosing Your Flight Route

Deciding how to reach Socotra is a crucial step in your journey. Two main flight routes, via Cairo and Abu Dhabi, offer access to this remote paradise. Let’s explore both options in detail.

Cairo: The Gateway from Egypt

Yemenia Airway Via Cairo (Egypt)

If you choose to reach Socotra via Cairo, Egypt, you’ll embark on a unique journey. We’ll uncover the details of this route, including airlines and stopovers. Here some important information about it:

• Cairo International airport receives and departs daily flights from and to the Aden (Yemen mainland).
• Yemenia Airways has daily flights from Cairo to Aden (Yemen mainland) which are direct flights..
• Flying from Cairo to Socotra takes around six and a half hours, all of the flights must stopover in Aden for 3 hours to change the flight to Socotra with short stop in Mukalla for one hour.
• The flight to Socotra is once a week every Mondays, departing from Cairo at 02:00 am, arriving at Aden at 06:30 am. You spend a layover for two hours on the plane waiting to pick up new passengers and depart at 08:30 am, arriving Socotra at 11:30 am.
• The return flight takes the same route, departing at around 12:30 pm. and arriving in Cairo around 08:00 pm. Also every Monday. You can, of course, stay for two, three weeks, and so on, as long as you plan on leaving on a Monday. Be aware that this schedule could change.
• Aden is an interesting city,  a tour of Aden will let you get amazed by the life and beauty of the Pearl of the Arabian Sea.

Flying via Cairo: Yemenia Airways

The Cairo route unveiled, Yemenia Airlines offers a weekly flight from Cairo to Socotra, with a stopover in Aden. The flight takes approximately six and a half hours.

understanding the logistics of the Cairo route, including flight timings and the duration of stopovers, is essential for a seamless journey.

Flight Schedule and Stopover Adventures

Get insights into the flight schedule provided by Yemenia Airways, including the intriguing stopovers in Aden and Mukalla. These layovers can add depth to your travel experience.

Here is the current flight schedule:

From Cairo (CAI) To Aden (ADE) + Aden (ADE) To Socotra (SCT):

Cairo (CAI) – Aden (ADE) – Socotra (SCT)

From Socotra (SCT) To Aden (ADE) + Aden (ADE) To Cairo (CAI) :

Socotra (SCT) – Aden – Cairo (CAI)

Exploring Aden: The Pearl of the Arabian Sea

Aden, the city where you’ll spend some time during your Socotra journey, is a destination in itself. Discover the charm and culture of this coastal gem.

Dig deeper into Aden’s treasures, from historical sites to its vibrant markets and culinary delights. Make the most of your layover experience.

Abu Dhabi: The UAE Connection

Air Arabia Via Abu Dhabi (UAE)

The Abu Dhabi Advantage

Flying to Socotra via Abu Dhabi International Airport offers convenience and accessibility. Learn about the benefits of choosing this route for your adventure.

Important information and tips:

• The Abu Dhabi Airport is one of the busiest airports in Emirates and one of the busiest in middle-east.
• It receives and departs daily flights from and to the United States; Europe, South America; Central America
• If possible spare a day or two in Abu Dhabi one of the finest capitals in the world, and discover why United Arab Emirates (UAE) has won the World Travel Awards for various consecutive years.
• No more quarantine on arrival in Abu Dhabi. You can travel quarantine-free to Abu Dhabi if you’ve been fully vaccinated. You must register via the ICA Smart Travel Service. You can stay in Abu Dhabi for a few days or simply connect to your flight to Socotra.

Flying via Abu Dhabi: Air Arabia

Air Arabia offers a weekly flight from Abu Dhabi to Socotra. The flight takes approximately two and a half hours.

Flight Schedule and Convenience

Explore the flight schedule provided by Air Arabia, offering flexibility and options to plan your journey effectively.

Dive further into Air Arabia’s flight schedule, allowing you to plan your trip with precision and flexibility.

From Abu Dhabi (AUH) To Socotra (SCT):

Abu Dhabi (AUH) – Socotra (SCT)

From Socotra (SCT) To Abu Dhabi (AUH):

Socotra (SCT) – Abu Dhabi (AUH)

Making the Most of Your Abu Dhabi Layover

Discover the must-visit attractions in Abu Dhabi, from the awe-inspiring Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque to the cultural experiences awaiting you.

Consider maximizing your layover in Abu Dhabi by exploring this dynamic city and its attractions. Discover why it’s earned recognition on the world stage.

Booking and Travel Tips

Here are a few tips for planning your trip to Socotra:

• Flying from Cairo to Socotra takes around six and a half hours. Most of the flights make a stop in Aden.
• It is recommended to arrive at least one day prior to the Socotra flight in the case of any delay or cancellation.
• Book your flights and accommodation in advance, especially if you are traveling during peak season.
• Be aware that you must book these flights at least three weeks in advance to get a seat. Know that as of now, none of these flights are available for purchase online. They can only be purchased in person with the evidence that you have a visa to Socotra.
• Make sure you coordinate your flights to Socotra with your Socotra tour. There are 1 main airport on Socotra. Tours start from Socotra islands on different days.
• Booking the tour and the flight together is a better option as tours often work with specific flights.
• If you book your flight when reserving your Socotra tours, you can often save big. For free help planning the tour+flight package right for you,  contact us now .

Consider booking your flights with  SocotraTravels.com . We will make sure that you take the appropriate flight and back you up if there is any complication or delay on your Socotra flight.

Learn about the importance of meticulous planning, including visa requirements and the necessity of booking flights well in advance.