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Last updated on December 24, 2024
Wanna travel to Socotra with Against the Compass?
Join a group of like-minded travelers in our next scheduled tour in Socotra on:
October 28th to November 4th, 2025
Socotra is an isolated island that has always been safe and attracted visitors, despite belonging to war-torn Yemen.
Home to around 60,000 people, Socotra is also rich in unique flora and fauna that helped it to be designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008.
Packed with Dragon Blood and Bottle trees, white sandy beaches, unique cultural heritage and a wide range of endemic species, Socotra is a very different destination from anywhere you’ve seen in the Middle East.
This travel guide will cover everything you need to know about traveling to Socotra, including visas, how to get in, where to stay, things to do, and more.
Don’t forget to check our travel guide to Yemen Mainland
In this travel guide to Socotra you will find:
our recommended travel insurance for Socotra
IATI Insurance is one of the very few that covers travel in Socotra.
🇾🇪 Socotra today: what’s the situation like?
As you may know, Yemen is essentially divided into two regions:
- Yemen Arab Republic, also known as North Yemen
- People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen, also known as South Yemen
For detailed information on why these two regions are considered different, check the relevant section in our Yemen travel guide.
Where is the island of Socotra located?
Socotra is an archipelago located 350km southeast of Yemen, and it belongs to South Yemen.
Today, North Yemen (with its capital in Sanaa) is ruled by the Houthis, while South Yemen is mostly controlled by the officially recognized Government, backed by Saudi Arabia.
However, a significant part of South Yemen is ruled by the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a separatist group who want South Yemen to become an independent country.
This separatist group rules over Aden, Mukallah and Socotra, and is backed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which is why you’ll see Emirati flags flying all across the island, and the reason why tourism has increased so much over the past few years.
The UAE has big plans for Socotra when it comes to turning it into a prime eco-tourism destination, but that will only happen once Yemen as a whole becomes a more stable destination, and one worth investing in.
When will that happen? Nobody can say.
🪪 Do you need a visa for Socotra?
Yes, to travel to Socotra, you will need a visa, but it’s relatively easy to get one, and I say ‘’ relatively‘’ because you can’t get one as an independent traveler; rather you must arrange it through a local tour operator, who always include them as part of the tour package.
Socotra visa requirements
The only thing you need is a valid copy of your passport.
Applying for the visa takes no more than 3 weeks, and it costs 150 USD.
All nationalities can apply for a Socotra visa.
Visa for Socotra: is it valid for mainland Yemen?
No, it’s not.
The visa for mainland Yemen is valid for travel to Socotra island but not vice-versa.
If you are planning to travel to Yemen after Socotra, you’ll need to get two separate visas.
We also offer tours to mainland Yemen, with coming departures on:
Learn more about our Tours for Yemen
🚑 Travel insurance for Socotra
Most travel insurance companies don’t cover for travel in Socotra and Yemen, except for IATI.
I recommend it because:
- Only travel insurance company that covers Socotra and all of Yemen
- They have different plans for all budgets
- Covers senior citizens too
- Readers of this blog can get an exclusive 5% discount.
✈️ How to reach Socotra island?
Today, the only official way to get to Socotra is by flying in.
The airport is located in the capital Hadiboh and is called Socotra Airport (SCT).
There are 3 different routes traveling to Socotra Airport:
- From Abu Dhabi
- From Mukallah
- From Cairo
How to fly to Socotra from Abu Dhabi
I’d say that 98% of travelers use this route.
A flight operated by Air Arabia travels from Abu Dhabi to Socotra 2-3 times a week, depending on the season.
Usually, flights operate on Tuesdays and Fridays, as well as Sundays in high season.
However, flights to Socotra are scheduled every 6 months, so the schedule could change in the near future.
A round-trip flight ticket costs around 950 USD.
How to fly to Socotra from Mukalla
Every Sunday there is a flight connecting Socotra and Mukallah, the capital of Hadramut province in mainland Yemen.
A one-way ticket costs around 250 USD.
How to fly from Cairo to Socotra
There’s also the possibility of flying to Socotra from Cairo with Yemenia Airways via Aden, where you’ll be spending one night before flying to Socotra.
I have never used this route but according to our contacts in Yemen, your fixer will need to get you a special visa and/or permission to be able to transit in Aden for a day.
How to book your flights to Socotra
Flights to Socotra can’t be booked online they have to be booked-through the respective travel agent.
If you are traveling to Socotra as part of a group, your travel company should organise this for you. On our expeditions to Socotra, we will take care of that for you.
Remember that our next departures for 2025 are:
- October 28th to November 4th, 2025 – APPLY NOW
- November 6th to 14th, 2025 (Yemen + Socotra) – APPLY NOW
- December 30th, 2025 to January 6th, 2026 – APPLY NOW
💚 Responsible tourism in Socotra
Socotra has become a pretty touristy destination, by Yemen standards.
With 2-3 flights a week, the island is currently receiving several hundred tourists per week, at a minimum.
I realise it’s not so much but if you compare the stats to other off-the-beaten track destinations we offer expeditions to, such as Iraq, Eritrea, Syria or Libya, that’s a whole heap of tourists.
Also, bear in mind that the island is quite small, so you’ll be bumping into tourists and familiar faces every now and then.
The problem with trash
Yemenis from Socotra love their island and are deeply connected to its nature, but on the island, there’s little awareness on keeping it clean and trash-free.
To be honest, this has improved massively since the beginning of 2024, mainly due to pressure and efforts made by a few foreign tourists, and the growing involvement of certain local tour operators.
Your role as a traveler visiting Socotra should not only be cleaning up your own trash, but also helping the locals to keep the place tidy.
Bring your reusable water bottle
Nowadays, most local tour companies will provide with a water dispenser filled with mineral water. However, although the option to re-fill your water bottle is available, they keep handing out plastic bottles, and while this might sometimes seem handy, please reject it if a mineral water dispenser is available.
Dress code: be respectful of the local culture
Something you should know is that generally speaking, Socotra is a highly conservative society, a country and/or region where you are unlikely to see a woman’s face, like in pretty much all South Yemen.
While it’s true that the new tourism boom is triggering a certain degree of tolerance towards how foreign women might dress, this doesn’t necessarily mean they like it or they even feel comfortable with it.
It’s OK to wear a discreet swimsuit when you are at the beach but other than that, I recommend covering your shoulders and knees, and wear non-revealing clothes. Being mindful of local customs will help create a positive atmosphere.
⛅ Best time to visit Socotra
Travel to Socotra is highly seasonal. Here’s what you need to know:
Worst season to travel to Socotra: May – September
The low season in Socotra is during the warmest and windiest months, when the sky is so hazy and the weather so hot that you won’t be able to enjoy nature properly.
I would avoid visiting Socotra during this time at all costs.
Best season to travel to Socotra: October – April
The high season for traveling to the Yemeni island is during the cooler months, when the sky tends to be clearer.
However, note that November and December can be a bit rainy and that February and March are the best months for fully blossoming Bottle trees.
🗺️ Tours for Socotra
If there’s one destination which is ideal for group travel, that would be Socotra.
Socotra is about enjoying nature, hiking and gathering around a bonfire, activities which are best enjoyed with a group, rather than solo.
Against the Compass is known for group expeditions made up of laid-back, like-minded travelers. Our upcoming group expeditions:
- October 28th to November 4th, 2025 – APPLY NOW
- November 6th to 14th, 2025 (Yemen + Socotra)- APPLY NOW
- December 30th, 2025 to January 6th, 2026 – APPLY NOW
Learn more about our Tours for Yemen
🛺 Transportation: how to get around Socotra
Is there any public transportation in Socotra?
There might be some local shared taxis and small minivans running between towns, but traveling around Socotra by public transportation can be extremely inconvenient as all of the places to visit are natural sites located in remote areas of the island.
Traveling around Socotra by 4×4
Mountain roads in Socotra can be rough and there’s no other way to tackle them than in a 4×4.
All tours to Socotra include transportation in 4×4.
🏨 Where to stay in Socotra: what’s the accommodation like?
Generally speaking, there are two options for travel in Socotra: full camping trips, or staying in a hotel in Hadiboh the doing day trips from there – the latter being a terrible idea.
Camping in Socotra
Camping in Socotra is great, one of the best places I’ve ever camped!
Travelers are likely to be given their own tent and the local team always provides with a thick mattress, a pillow and a blanket.
Basic gear, but that’s the closest to glamping I have ever come 😉
Moreover, for all our tours, we always travel with a portable table, chairs and all of the necessary equipment to make your camping trip a comfortable one.
How are the campsites in Socotra?
Some campsites don’t have any facilities, while others have basic showers and toilets.
However, most itineraries are designed so you can stay in a campsite with showers at least every other day.
Staying in a hotel in Hadiboh
Staying in a hotel in Hadiboh is never a good idea, for several reasons.
First of all, the only decent hotel in Hadiboh is expensive, like 130 USD for an average room. There are cheaper hotels of course, but they aren’t good.
Second, the best places in Socotra are far from Hadiboh, plus they are best enjoyed at sunset or early in the morning, so not fully enjoyable on a day trip from Hadiboh.
Lastly, Hadiboh isn’t a particularly pleasant city. I recommend sparing some time to visit the bazaar but other than that, it’s better to spend the night in a comfortable tent by the ocean.
💰 Money and budget in Socotra
Socotra belongs to South Yemen, so they use South Yemen Rials (different to North Yemen) and approximately:
$1 = around 1000 YRI
ATMs in Socotra
Your debit or credit card will be useless in Socotra, so bring everything in cash and in US dollars, the only currency that will be accepted.
Exchanging money in Socotra
US dollars are accepted virtually everywhere but I also understand that travelers might like to get some local currency, as it’s always fun.
There are a few exchange offices in Hadiboh where they’ll gladly accept your dollars. Your local guide should take you there on the day you arrive.
How much does a trip to Socotra cost?
This is what a Socotra tour is likely to set you back:
- 8-day all inclusive tour: 1950 USD
- Visa fees: 150 USD
- Round-trip flight from Abu Dhabi: 950 USD
- Tips (optional): from 40 USD
Total price for traveling to Socotra is roughly 3000 US dollars.
Additionally, there is a souvenir shop where you can buy local handicrafts. Other than that, there’s not much to spend money on in Socotra!
💻 Internet, connectivity and devices during your trip in Socotra
How is the Wi-Fi in Socotra?
You won’t find any Wi-Fi in Socotra, except for the hotel in Hadiboh, but even there it isn’t great.
Can I buy a SIM card in Socotra?
Certain areas of Socotra have 3G internet, but it’s very weak.
This weak signal is provided by Etisalat, a mobile provider from the United Arab Emirates.
If you buy an Etisalat SIM Card in either Abu Dhabi or Dubai, you’ll be able to connect to the internet.
Please note that this will only work with physical SIMs, not eSIMs.
Is Starlink available in Socotra?
Starlink is a device by SpaceX that offers unlimited high-speed data through a bunch of small satellites that deliver relatively fast internet, wherever you are.
The first time I saw Starlink was in Canaima National Park (Venezuela). It’s typically used in very remote areas where there isn’t any signal and today, many people in Socotra are starting to use it, including some local tour companies.
Charging your devices in Socotra
Some campsites do have power sockets but they don’t really work.
When I visited Socotra, I could only charge my devices with the USB from our cars, which wasn’t great, so I strongly recommend bringing a good power bank and spare batteries for your camera.
Drones in Socotra
Technically, drones are allowed in Socotra but from what I know, if the respective local authorities find it upon arrival at the airport in Hadiboh, they will make you pay a 150 USD fee.
I did bring a DJI Mini 4 Pro but they never found it and I flew it over the island multiple times without any problems.
⚠️ Is it safe to travel to Socotra?
Yemen is a war-torn country which has been at war since 2014.
While North Yemen’s main problem has been the direct war between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, South Yemen has been suffering from terrorism and Al Qaeda.
If we look at travel advice for Socotra, the FCDO doesn’t make any special distinction with Socotra, instead they just advise against all travel to Yemen.
Socotra has suffered the consequences of the war, especially financially and a shortage of basic goods but, from a safety perspective, the island has always been spared from the conflict, mainly thanks to its remoteness and isolation.
It’s up to you whether to believe the FCDO advice or not but, in my humble opinion, there are other risks which are 10x more likely to happen such as heat stroke, and injuries from trekking.
🕌 People in Socotra and their culture
Socotra is inhabited by about 60,000 Socotrans.
From Saudi Arabia to Kuwait, Oman and also Yemen, Arabs from the Gulf are known for their relaxed attitude towards life, but Socotrans are able to bring this to the next level, as is usual on most tiny islands around the world.
Socotrans are strong Sunni Muslim devotees and speak a distinct language named Soqotri. This language is closer to the Ethiopian Semitic languages – family of languages spoken in Eritrea and Ethiopia – than to Arabic itself. However, pretty much all Socotrans speak fluent Arabic.
🧳 What to bring: Packing list for visiting Socotra
The following packing list is completely subjective:
- Reusable water bottle. We will have a water dispenser to fill your bottles, thus reducing plastic consumption.
- Head torch
- Microfiber towel
- Water shoes or sandals: for beach days or wading in natural pools.
- Trekking shoes
- All toiletries
- Biodegradable wipes or toilet paper
- Hand sanitizer
- Lightweight, breathable clothing: temperatures can be hot, so pack loose, comfortable clothing made from cotton or moisture-wicking fabric.
- Long sleeves and pants: to protect against the sun and bugs, particularly in the evenings.
- Swimwear: to enjoy the beaches and natural pools.
- Windbreaker or light jacket: evenings can be cool
- Hat and sunglasses: essential for sun protection.
- Insect repellent
- A dry bag is a good idea to protect your cameras and electronics from any water damage.
- Power bank and spare batteries
😍 Top places to visit in Socotra
There are many awesome places to visit in Socotra, here’s just a couple of them.
Hadiboh
Mainland Yemen is known for its absolutely mind-blowing towns and villages, but those famous buildings never made their way into Socotra so from an architectural perspective, the towns in Socotra aren’t very appealing and the capital Hadiboh is no exception.
Hadiboh is ugly and it’s packed with massive piles of trash everywhere, but the people here are welcoming, hit as a worthwhile fish market, and the bazaar will give you a taste of what city life is like in Socotra.
Detwah Lagoon
Detwah is a saline lagoon that connects to the Gulf of Aden, from which it is separated by an absolutely stunning sand-spit.
Qalansiyah
Located next to Detwah Lagoon, this is my favorite town in Socotra, the second largest after Hadiboh. I like it because it’s way cleaner, plus it has a pretty notable fishing vibe, great for photography.
Hoq Cave
Hoq is a 2-km-deep cave whose main passage has an average width of 50 m and an average height of 20 m.
You can walk up to 1 km deep into the cave, which I found to be pretty amazing, since it was my first time hiking through a cave without artificial paths. Getting to the cave is a 1.5 hr hike.
Firmihin Dragon Blood Tree Forest
For me, this is the best place to visit in Socotra, and the top reason to came here for. A virgin forest of thousands of Dragon Blood Trees, where you can actually camp and wake up in the morning surrounded by these beautiful, endemic trees.
Shoab beach
Only reachable by boat, Shoab is the closest thing to a Thai beach on th island.
Dihamri
This rocky peninsula is the hub for snorkelling and scuba-diving in Socotra.
The snorkelling here is great. For no more than 10 USD, you can rent a pair of fins and a diving mask and swim along the coral reef, where you are likely to see tonnes of colorful fish.
My experience diving in Socotra
In Socotra. we did one dive, but I strongly discourage you from doing so, unless you are a professional diver. I honestly believe people running the diving centers here are unprofessional. They never checked our gear or gave us any briefing, even though they took us to an awful diving spot with absolutely no visibility and extremely strong currents. Everyone in our dive group came back to the surface with 75% of their tank full. There was a woman who had done more than 200 dives, and she claimed that this particular dive had been the worst of her life. No reputable diving center should ever take people to dive in such bad (and dangerous) conditions.
Arher beach
The most popular spot in Socotra, a bunch of massive dunes that go nearly all the way down to one of the most beautiful beaches on the island.
In my opinion, this beach is getting too busy these days – definitely the busiest spot in Socotra, but it’s a great place to relax for the day.
❗ More information
📢 In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more.
All guides and articles for traveling in Yemen
Travel guides to other countries in the Middle East
You might also like our Haiti travel guide.
You will also be interested in: Where in the Middle East is safe? and The most beautiful places in the Middle East.