Socotra Island or the Place that Seems to Be from Another Planet

Socotra is a place many people have never even heard of. But travelers who’ve visited this island say it was one of the most amazing trips of their lives. Here’s what makes Socotra unique and appealing—and how to get there.

What Makes Socotra Unique

Socotra is an archipelago in the Arabian Sea, located not far from the coast of Somalia. From the late 19th century until 1967, these lands were under British protection; today they are part of Yemen.

The archipelago includes three inhabited islands—the largest is Socotra, where most locals live—along with Abd al Kuri and Samhah. There is also the uninhabited island of Darsa and several offshore rock islets that serve as nesting grounds for rare birds.

The main island is famous for its endemics. About 37% of its plant species are found nowhere else on Earth—for example, the bottle (or cucumber) tree, several types of aloe, and the ancestor of all pomegranates. UNESCO has designated the island a biosphere reserve.

Socotra covers about 3,800 km². Its population—around 40,000—speaks Soqotri, an ancient Semitic language with no written script that is not used anywhere else.

All of this traces back to the island’s deep past: the archipelago was once part of the Gondwana supercontinent. About six million years ago, it split off from Africa and has remained isolated from the rest of the world ever since.

Geography and Climate

Socotra features three main landscapes: narrow coastal plains with white-sand beaches, a limestone plateau riddled with karst caves, and mountain ranges. The Hajhir Mountains reach 1,503 meters (4,931 ft) above sea level.

Because the terrain varies, so does the climate—from tropical to semi-desert and desert. Average annual temperatures range from +25 to +32 °C (77–90 °F), but in summer can reach +42 °C (108 °F). Sea temperatures don’t drop below +24 °C (75 °F).

Unique Flora

Socotra’s flora and fauna are still not fully studied. So when you arrive, don’t rush to pick a flower you like—ask your guide first if it’s safe and allowed.

The first research expedition to the island took place in 1880, when a group of British scientists discovered about 200 plant species previously unknown to science.

Today, roughly 800 plant species are recorded on the island—some have been growing here for tens of thousands of years. For comparison, Moscow has about 1,600 plant species. In addition, the archipelago is home to 95% of its land snails, 90% of its reptiles, and over 70% of its birds as endemic species.

The most striking plant—and island symbol—is the dragon’s blood tree (Dracaena cinnabari). It’s named for its red resin, once associated with dragon’s blood.

Dragon’s blood trees grow very slowly; most on the island are between 300 and 800 years old. They resemble giant mushrooms with a green cap and can reach up to 10 meters (33 ft) tall. You can find entire groves of these trees on Socotra.

Every 15 years or so, the dragon’s blood tree blooms with large pink flowers. As the tree matures, its bark exudes a gum that oxidizes in the air, taking on a bronzy hue—hence the full name, Dracaena cinnabari.

Locals have used the tree’s sap since ancient times for medicinal, veterinary, and cosmetic purposes—for example, as a hair dye. The sap is also valued for its wound-healing properties.

Another notable species is Dorstenia gigas, the so-called bottle tree. Its trunk can swell to about 1.2 meters (4 ft) in diameter at the base, storing water that helps animals survive dry spells; people can also extract water from the trunk. It’s nicknamed the cucumber tree because it’s a distant relative of gourds, zucchini, and cucumbers.

Socotra also has many species of aloe used in traditional medicine since ancient times, as well as frankincense and myrrh trees, date palms, and the Socotri pomegranate—the ancestor of all pomegranates.

Culture and Traditions

The Socotri people carry a mixed genetic heritage from Arabs, Ethiopians, Greeks, Indians, Somalis, Portuguese, and the British, who reached the archipelago at different times in history.

They are generally friendly and cheerful, and they treat their land with care—avoiding the cutting of live trees and managing pastures responsibly when grazing livestock.

This stewardship is the single biggest reason the island’s pristine beauty survives today. Many Socotris still choose to live without electricity or running water, declining aspects of modern life.

Traditional livelihoods include fishing, herding goats and sheep, and cultivating rare plants. Key local products are fish, dragon’s blood gum, dried aloe juice (sabur), hand-woven wool carpets, dates, clarified butter, and tobacco.

Despite having no written language, Socotra has a rich poetic and musical tradition. Researchers also find links between local folktales and the traditions of the ancient Mediterranean.

When to Go—and Why

The main tourist season runs from September through May. In summer, the monsoon brings storms and shortages of certain goods shipped from the mainland because wind and waves disrupt sea links with the island. It’s best not to visit during this period; group tours aren’t offered.

February and March are the most popular months for visitors and offer ideal conditions for boat trips, kitesurfing, fishing, diving, and beach time.

How to Travel

If you’re touring the whole island, be prepared to camp—often right on the beach—since hotels exist only in the capital, Hadibo. In the mountains, you can pitch a tent at the edge of a 400-meter (1,300-ft) cliff and watch the sunrise over groves of ancient trees.

Even solo travelers may only move around the island accompanied by local guides. Authorities strictly regulate tourism, so it’s important to follow the rules. In practice, these requirements help visitors see the most interesting places safely.

Besides Soqotri, Arabic is spoken on the island. Most guides and tourism workers also speak English. If you join an organized tour from Russia, you’ll have a Russian-speaking guide as well.

Sights

On a week-long tour of Socotra, you can see a dozen or so highlights. Here are some of the best known.

Detwah Lagoon

This snow-white beach sits near the island’s northeastern tip, with mountains offering sweeping views over the lagoon. There’s a tourist campsite where you can pitch a tent. The camp has showers, toilets, and fresh water; you’ll need to bring food and cook with your guide. You can walk around the lagoon in about three hours.

Arher Sand Dunes

Between two massive dunes lies a cave with a freshwater stream flowing from it. There’s no established campground here, but you can set up a tent. Visitors bathe in the stream, build campfires with brought firewood, and roast potatoes and fish over the coals.

Socotra Museum

Located on the road to the Arher dunes, this private museum was opened by a prosperous local. You can see traditional household items—looming tools, cookware, even a traditional boat. They’ll also demonstrate how to make fire by friction in five minutes.

Wadi Canyon

In the island’s center, you’ll find a canyon with an abandoned settlement. Locals avoided living here because of legends about jinn and a ghostly woman seen at night. For the same reason, guides prefer not to camp here. There’s a pretty stream that forms a small freshwater pool at the canyon floor—perfect for a dip after crossing the Diksam Plateau.

Hadibo

Hadibo is the island’s main town, with a population of about 8,000. You’ll find a few hotels, small shops and restaurants, a local market, a currency exchange, and a clinic. Most organized tours start and end in Hadibo.

How to Get to Socotra

Hadibo has an airport with flights from Sana’a (Yemen’s capital), Abu Dhabi, and Dubai (UAE). There is also sea service from Oman, but it’s irregular—you might wait up to three weeks for a ferry.

Most organized tours available from Russia route through Abu Dhabi. A nine-day group tour (10–12 people) typically starts around 200,000 rubles.

If you plan to travel independently via Sana’a, remember that Yemen’s security situation is unstable. Flights can be canceled, and it may be unsafe for tourists to travel in the country without a guide. The island itself is calm, however.