RegionOutline guide

Socotra

Largest of four islands of the Socotra Archipelago, Yemen

Photo: Valerian Guillot from Cambridge, United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Socotra (Arabic: سقطرى ; Suquṭra) is an archipelago consisting mainly of four main islands and two smaller rocky islets in the Indian Ocean, an offshore territory of Yemen, near the Horn of Africa.

Getting there and around

Getting there

By plane
Commercial flights to Socotra are intermittent and difficult. The only legal route is to take a Yemenia flight from the Yemeni city Mukalla.
By boat

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Getting around

You can go around the island only by local tour company, how will organize the complete tour Package like accommodation, car 4×4, tour guide, food full board, visa and sea tour.

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Airports and nearby hotels

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Socotra Airport

Mori · Regional · SCT

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Full travel guide

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UnderstandDue to its remarkable biodiversity, with over a third of the local plant species found nowhere else, Socotra has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Get inCommercial flights to Socotra are intermittent and difficult. The only legal route is to take a Yemenia flight from the Yemeni city Mukalla.

Get aroundYou can go around the island only by local tour company, how will organize the complete tour Package like accommodation, car 4×4, tour guide, food full board, visa and sea tour.

SeeSocotra is considered the jewel of biodiversity in the Arabian Sea. Although the region is small, it is characterized by unique land and marine biodiversity.

DoCamp: With a bit of water for washing, a good meal and warm sleeping surrounded by virgin nature, camping on the beaches will provide a very special break from the every day routine in civilization!

EatSocotra is a remote island and therefore their cuisine is limited and simple. Local restaurants often serve fresh fish, chicken, goat, rice, and potatoes.

DrinkBecause Yemen is an Islamic country, there are no alcoholic beverages provided except at five-star hotels in the big cities on the mainland. Bottled water and soft drinks can be purchased at shops in town.

SleepThere are four hotels in Hadibo: Taj Socotra Hotel, Socotra Tourist Hotel, Heathrow Hotel, Al-Gawhara (Diamond) Hotel and Summerland Hotel.

Stay safeMany governments advise against all travel to Yemen, including Socotra. Do not take photos of military installations and equipment and the airport.

Stay healthyMalaria is not common, but malaria prophylaxis is recommended. Cholera is not present on the island at all. The US CDC recommends having up to date polio and measles vaccinations.

Go next

Mukalla

Sources and licences

Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Socotra" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Summary from the Wikipedia article "Socotra", available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikipedia
Photo: Valerian Guillot from Cambridge, United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Improve this guide on Wikivoyage

Sources and licences

Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Socotra" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0

Summary from the Wikipedia article "Socotra", available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikipedia

Photo: Valerian Guillot from Cambridge, United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Improve this guide on Wikivoyage