If you had mentioned a place called Socotra Island a few years ago, I couldn’t have told you a thing about it; I didn’t even know where it was.
I later discovered that Socotra was a remote island in the Indian Ocean, part of Yemen.
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I started researching Socotra Island and discovered what an unspoiled paradise it appeared to be. Could it seriously be as pristine as the photos suggest?
We made arrangements to visit in December 2019 – this is what it is really like to visit Socotra Island.
Before the civil war in 2011 in Yemen, Socotra had been experiencing a small amount of tourism, about 4,000 tourists per year.
Once the civil war in Yemen started, Socotra was closed off from the world for over five years.
Today, intrepid visitors are very curious to see what this untouched island is all about.
Is It Safe to Visit Socotra Island?
Socotra has never been at war, and visiting Socotra Island is very safe. This is, unfortunately, a different story on mainland Yemen, over 370 km away.
Your biggest challenge is getting to Socotra, as flights are limited.
Who Lives in Socotra Yemen?
For an island with an area of 3796 square metres and a population of about 45,000, it still feels like hardly anybody lives here.
After our arrival on the first day, we stopped for lunch in the capital, Hadibo. This ‘city’ feels more like a small town, but it isn’t the reason you would want to visit Socotra.
There are small shops here to stock up on dry goods, a few bakeries, butchers/fishmongers, and clothes shops surrounded by dusty streets.
Sadly, there is a great deal of garbage on the streets, and it’s common for locals to drop trash anywhere—the number of flattened plastic water bottles is eye-opening.
Our visit to Hadibu Socotra was brief, as it is the countryside most visitors are keen to see.
Once we left the city and headed out on the open road (which is mostly in good condition), the beauty of Socotra Island began to unfold.
Where to Stay and How to Get Around in Socotra
Put simply, all tourists who visit Socotra need to make arrangements in advance with a local tour operator on the island.
You can join a small group tour or even book a private tour.
As of 2024, flights are now out of Abu Dhabi, the only way to visit Socotra.
Please find more info in our blog: How to Visit Socotra – Everything you need to know.
Expect that you will be wild camping here, as once you leave the capital – there are very few hotels, hot showers, etc.
You may be able to sleep in homestays along the way, but this all depends on the company/guide you book with.
We travelled in 4WD with a local driver/guide to get around the island – if you visit Socotra, this might be how you travel.
Back to Basics – Sleep in a Tent and Eat Off the Land & Sea
Our 7-night itinerary included camping in a tent in various locations on the island. It was very warm and comfortable.
Mattresses, sheets, a pillow, and blankets were provided.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were included as part of our trip. We had a cook travelling with us, and he prepared some tasty meals for our small group all week.
As the infrastructure on the island is very basic, there is no option to visit Socotra in the comfort you might be used to when visiting other countries. Just be prepared for this.
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What is The Food Like in Socotra?
This island relies heavily on fresh fish, so we ate this for lunch and dinner most days—fresh tuna fillets accompanied by rice or pasta and a fragrant sauce with potatoes and vegetables. So be prepared that your visit to Socotra will include plenty of fresh food.
We explain more about the most popular foods from Yemen here.
There were always fresh oranges, apples, and dates to munch on between meals and let’s not forget about the endless amount of tea.
Yemeni Tea is Always Available
If you can imagine yourself sitting with a hot cup of tea, staring out at crashing waves over a pristine beach with the sun setting for the evening – you’ll love Socotra.
At all times, you’ll find a hot thermos of prepared tea loaded with sugar, ready to consume. Tea is life here.
As our guide said, it is not possible to visit Socotra homes without being offered at least a few cups of tea.
Recommended posts about Yemen
How Much Is A Tour to Visit Socotra?
NOTE: A visit to Socotra is NOT cheap. It is one of the most expensive destinations I’ve taken for a week-long trip; it even beat the pricey cost of visiting Bhutan.
Before our arrival, we researched most of the local tour operators currently running tours on the island.
They all have very similar pricing, so for us, it simply came down to choosing one with a good reputation and a good recommendation.
Tour Prices & Programs
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 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: +967 777 727 738
We have listed approximate prices for this season, 2024/2025, 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 when you quote our exclusive code: EYEOFSOCOTRA5
- 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! Read more about their programs here.
Alternatively, tour programs in Socotra can also be booked on Tourradar.
If you would like to learn more about how to book your trip, read our Ultimate Guide to Visit Socotra.
Five Top Things to Experience on Socotra Island
Unspoiled Beaches
It’s hard to imagine a land that is more diverse than Socotra. It honestly does feel like another world. The colour of the sand on the beaches here is powder white. The colour of the water is sparkling turquoise blue.
It is almost guaranteed that you will be the only person on the beach, leaving the only footprints in the sand on that day, if not the week.
The only issue can be garbage you might come across in piles left behind by locals.
Marine life
Snorkelling & Diving – There are opportunities to dive & snorkel in Socotra. This island is home to more than 680 species of fish and over 250 species of coral. Divers have opportunities to explore underwater shipwrecks and discover untouched reefs.
Crystal-clear waters surrounding Socotra Island allow you to view marine life, such as dolphins, barracudas, turtles, manta rays, and more.
Unfortunately, during our visit to Socotra, we didn’t get to go snorkelling due to the rough sea on the day.
Epic Landscapes
The landscape changes dramatically on the island – it’s always stunning. Socotra is often referred to as the most alien-like place on Earth.
There are caves to explore, massive rocky mountains to hike, limestone plateaus, waterfalls and wadis (natural waterholes) to discover, a desert, and stunning beaches everywhere.
This island is rich in endemic plants and animals.
Dragon Blood- Unique Socotra Island Trees
The dragon blood tree is perhaps the most iconic symbol of Socotra. This unique and strange-looking Socotra Island tree is endemic to the island.
It is named after its dark red resin, known as “dragon’s blood”, and offers a range of traditional medicinal uses for the Soqotri people for centuries.
It was a pretty cool moment when I saw my first dragon blood tree sitting high on the plateau. As we hiked up further, we came face to face with hundreds of these ancient-looking trees.
It’s a highlight for anyone who visits Socotra.
An Adventure Lovers’ Paradise
Socotra is perfect for adventure lovers, keen hikers, and those who crave simplicity and natural beauty.
A visit to Socotra feels like you are worlds away from anywhere, probably because you are.
Few places remain where you can be surrounded by so much space, silence, and beautiful, natural surroundings.
Socotra is waiting to welcome you if you’re looking for a destination unlike any other.
Visit Socotra before the rest of the world discovers what an absolute gem this place is.
If you’re considering a visit to Socotra, our post about how to visit Socotra, everything you need to know will provide you with the details to make it happen.
And check out our post about the 20 most popular foods from Yemen.
Are you interested in travelling to other countries with few visitors? We travelled to Libya in late 2021, and it was fascinating! First, it’s not an easy visa to get – so you may need to start by reading about how to visit Libya – all the details you need.
Suppose you’re interested in seeing the most incredible Roman Ruins (Leptis Magna and Sabratha would have to be the best I’ve ever seen). Here are the best sites to see at Leptis Magna.
In that case, visiting Libya, one of the least visited countries in the world is for you!
To continue discovering AMAZING Roman ruins and visiting another country that doesn’t receive many visitors, I’d recommend you check out Algeria.
I’ll admit it: obtaining a visa isn’t so easy for many nationalities, but if you persist and get your hands on one, there are many incredible places to visit in Algeria.
We learned many valuable tips in the first week there and recommend you read our 13 essential things to know before you go.
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. Check out our Group Tours first for any upcoming departures in Asia, or view Tourradar for great deals on tours in Asia.
Check out 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.
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🚘 Car Rental: We use DiscoverCars to book rental cars worldwide.
👫 Group Tours: We now offer Group Trips; view them here! Alternatively, we recommend G Adventures OR Tourradar. For Europe, Expat Explore is a good choice. *Get 5% off when you quote code VERYHUNGRYNOMADS to your Expat reservations agent. (*Valid for new clients only).
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✅ Check out our Travel Gear and Travel Resources for more valuable tips to save you money!
2 Comments. Leave new
World Nomads Travel Insurance says they do not insure for Yemen!!!
Check out BattleFace Insurance They offer coverage to Yemen and other countries that are remote and unconventional.