Socotra tourist highlights

Socotra seaside

Delicia is a sandy beach not far from Hadibo. You can enjoy soaking in quiet sea water, sunbathing and stunning view to a huge sand dune leaning against a rock massive. Be aware that there are strong currants around Delicia and swimming further from the beach is dangerous.

Dihamri is a must for its coral reef and rich fish colonies that can be found immediately after stepping into the sea. Even though there is no sandy beach but rocky shore, you will love swimming in the calm and safe bay of Dihamri with a view to the pair of characteristically red rocky outcrops. If you are lucky enough, you will meet two sea turtles that live in Dihamri.

Rosh is an ideal spot for sunbathing far from curious eyes of locals. From the campsite, it is separated by a strip of subtle trees called saebra and mitrer. Beach is cull of dead corals and you will be busy picking beautiful sea shells. If you get tired of the sun, set out for a hike to Hoq cave located in the granite massive above Rosh. Renting a boat is also possible.

Arher is a magic place where you will feel like on a mountain meadow in the Alps. After passing a couple of sand dunes, you will suddenly end up by a fresh water creek and green grass around it. However above your head, there will be massive sand dunes waiting for you to climb them.

Amak is a long sandy beach on the southern coast. The Indian Ocean might be too rough for you but you can indulge the tropical paradise resting in a palm leaf shelter. From Amak it is not far to magnificent sand dunes in Noget.

 Shouab is not that easy to reach. The best arrival is on a boat rented from Qalansiya from which you can spot dolphins. There is also a new road leading to Shouab but such kind of transport is not that exciting. It is worth to stay in Shouab overnight because the place with sandy beach and mangroves looks the best in sunset.

Ditwah lagoon next to Qaansiya on the western tip of the island is one of the most charming places on Socotra. You can enjoy the sandy tongue of Ditwah Bay with turquoise water and relatively strong waves. Be aware of sea currents! You can sunbathe and play in the sand dunes. But be careful – there is no shelter to hide away from sun.

Ghoba is the longest beach on the island stretching up to 20 km. The place is well known as a sea turtle nesting site during April and May. Therefore expect monitoring patrols in the night recording numbers of Loggerhead Turtles and guarding the place from smugglers.

Trekking on Socotra

Skand peak and return to Skand eco-campsite(6 hours)

A rather difficult 6 hours trek. If you have the whole day, you will however manage to even have a nice picnic lunch on the meadows of Skand among dragon blood trees. In a clear day you will be rewarded by a view of Hadibo below. Don’t underestimate the trek – the Skand eco-campsite is located tricky far from Jabal Skand.

Skand – Ayhaft

This is a difficult trek you will certainly need a whole day for. Descend to Wadi Ayhaft will be especially demanding on your knees. Down there you will be rewarded by a bath in a freshwater river with smooth big boulders. Wadi Ayhaft is likely to become a community managed protected area with eco-tourism services.

Hadibo - Wadi Ayhaft

This trek is easy and balanced. You will need around 3 hours. Descend to Hadibo is long but not so exhausting.

Deneghen – south

Beautiful Wadi Deneghen is located just outside Hadibo. We will bring you there by car and then you will start your trek. It is a five day journey with camping in tents with all board and necessities provided by Socotra Eco-tours. The best way how to get in close contact with Socotri landscapes. Camels will be hired to carry your luggage.

Amak – Deneghen

Same as the previous route, the trek is rather difficult and it will take 5 days to cross the whole island. Camels will carry your load.

Deneghen – Momi

This is another 5 day trek with support of camels. However this route is much easier than the previous two because only small hills are to be crossed instead of mountain peaks such as Skand.

Deneghen – Skand – Firmhin – Dirhor Canyon

Even though it is just a 3 day trek it is the toughest one we offer. Camels will be hired nevertheless you will have to overcome quite big differences in altitude that make the trip tiring. You will be rewarded with stunning views and will see the best from Socotri landscapes. So don’t get cold feet and go for it!

Hoq cave

This is an easy trek yet we recommend setting out in early morning hours because the sun later in the day is scorching. You will need three comfortable hours to visit Hoq cave: 1 hour to hike up, 1 hour inside the cave and approx. 1 hour to descend back to the village of Terbak.

Wadi Shifa – Homhil

This is a continuous ascend from the sea to the mountain village of Homhil. Anyway it’s not difficult and the view over the blue waters below you will be getting better and better as you climb up. You will need one hour to reach the top to enjoy the magic landscape with dragon blood trees, bottle trees and brown-red soil.

Klison – Matyaf

A continuous gentle descend from Klison to the beach in Matyaf will lead you between wadis with fresh water pools. We cannot say it’s an easy trek but it’s far from difficult. You will need approximately 4 hours to reach the sea.

Dragon blood trees on Socotra

Homhil has a unique charm of a landscape from a prehistoric movie. Dramatic slopes with dragon blood trees will amaze you together with pools filled with water after the monsoon. You can walk around Homhil on many paths and buy dragon blood beads on a string or dragon blood fragments in woven boxes from local children.

Dixam plateau located in the inland of Socotra is full of dragon blood trees, frankincense and valuable herbs. The landscape is framed with the breathtaking mountain range of Hagier in the background. The air is very fresh up here and you might even have some cold shivers in the evening.

Rokeb Firmhin is a place with the highest number of dragon blood trees. It is said that there are more than 900 thousand dracaenas. You can either enjoy a view from Khebhan over deep gorges or wander in wadi Dirhor and then climb up to Firmhin passing by deserted traditional Socotri houses made in caves.

Momi has a rather sparse dragon blood tree forest but the dracaenas are scattered among local villages and create a wonderful landscape. You can take a pleasant walk and wait what products of dragon blood and frankincense children from the neighborhood will offer you to buy.

Water pools

Wadi Dirhor is an impressive drop off at Firmhin. There is a big natural water pool at the bottom with a mossy slide and vultures circle high up in the air. 

Wadi Ayhaft is characterized by a river with big smooth boulders creating numerous puddles, ponds and dams. The water is crystal clear and cold; ideal for refreshing after a tiring trek.

Matyaf offers swimming in the sea and also in a fresh water pool that is not far enough from a sandy beach. The pool is more or less full depending on the time of the year.

Klison is a deserted village with only one last inhabitant. Not far away, you will enjoy walking in valleys and refreshing yourself in various natural swimming pools.

Eco-campsites on Socotra

There are six protected areas managed by local villages that offer eco-tourism services such as accommodation in eco-camps and use the profit for community development.

Amak: eco-campsite located on a long white sandy beach. You can sleep in palm leaf shelters or tents. Bathroom and food service are available. Thanks to a solar panel you can recharge your batteries. You can set out for a trip to sand dunes or to Dagub cave.

Dihamri: eco-campsite on the shore of the marine protected area. You can hire snorkeling and diving equipment there. Tents or palm leaf shelters are ready to host you for the night.  Bathroom and food service are available. Recharging is not possible.

Ditwah: eco-campsite overseeing the most romantic spot in the island. Bathroom and food service are available. You can spend a day on the sandy tongue of Ditwah Bay or take a dolphin spotting boat trip to Shouab. Recharging is not possible.

Homhil: eco-campsite up in the magic land of dragon blood trees and bottle trees. Sleeping in tents under a stone shelter. Nights might be chilly. Bathroom and food service available but do not expect a fresh fish. Recharging is not possible.

Rosh: eco-campsite near a coral beach belonging to the marine protected area. Sleeping in palm leaf shelters on the beach or in tents. Bathroom and food service are available. You can go for snorkeling/diving or hike to Hoq cave. Thanks to solar panel you can recharge your batteries there.

Skand: eco-campsite at the foot of Jebel Skand to which it still takes a couple of hours hike. The view is breathtaking. The campsite is not fully managed yet so you are advised to bring your own food. Sleeping in tents or in a stone building. Recharging is not possible.

Adeeb’s eco-lodge: This place belongs to Adeeb family that runs a restaurant with accommodation in huts and tents, and nearby nursery with endemic Socotri plants. It is located next to a pebbles beach just outside of Hadibo. The place is worth visiting and dining even if you stay in a hotel in Hadibo.