Detwah Lagoon

Detwah Lagoon is definitely one of the most impressive places on the island coast. There is a camping site with toilet and shower rooms, where you can stay overnight. Fresh water is also available for your use. Please, remember that camping owners do not offer cooking services. So, you have to cook by yourself or rely on your guides.
Qalansiyah is the best start point for seeing the lagoon. After driving through the village, your car goes up a low hill where you will be able enjoy an incredible overall view of the lagoon. Afterwards we would recommend you to go down to walk along the lagoon shore. A slow strolling at the seaside takes about 3 hours. Please, do not forget to protect yourself against the sun and to take drinking water. When walking on seawater look under your feet – there are many small cramp-fishes in the lagoon, which won’t do you any harm but they are rather unpleasant in touching them especially by bear feet.
After walking, you can come back to the camping where a car will be waiting for you.

Socotra can be too dangerous for wave-riding, but it is an excellent place for measuring speed during a monsoon season....

Maybe in the future we will organize a world speed competition on Socotra. )

Summer wind on Socotra:
spot 1. Qalansya

Up to 30 m/s. Off-shore, side-off-shore.

spot 2

A very long sand beach. Off-shore. Wind 15-25 m/s.

Perfect place to check the speed!

spot 3. Hadibo

After Hadibo it has an easy entrance. Off-shore. Wind 15-25 m/s.
spot 4. Ras Erissel

A very difficult spot. Strong waves. Off-shore. Wind 20-30 m/s.

spot 5. Marfirhin

An easy entrance near the village.

Side-shore. Wind 12-18 m/s. Strong waves.

spot 6. Aomak

Good waves. Side-shore. Wind 8-10 m/s.

spot 7,8. Di Sebro, Net

Strong waves. No wind



spot 9. Shuab

Gusty wind, good waves.

Boat trips

A local boat “Horri” 40 horses speed bullied for fishing. You can take one of or organized tours and be taken to incomparable destinations.

Shouab beach: a half day tour to discover the beauty of Shouab beach. With the clear water and white sands you can snorkel and relax. Whilst driving the boat, dolphins groups can be witness and lopping right next to the boat. Whale and Dolphins spotting safaris:

because of its unique location in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea the Island of Socotra is blessed with a very special event: the presence of visiting whales and Dolphins, which has only recently been recognized as another asset to this beautiful holiday destination.

The year 2005 was an extraordinary year with regard to the number of whales and Dolphins spotted in the waters surrounding the island. But after the Tsunami a number not a little of whales and dolphins drifted up and seen dead in the western coastal line where some species took up residence there before.

Just about five kilometers off the shore of Qalansiya, taking anexcursion to the marvelous of Shouab beach, Hundreds of dolphins bevies with the crystal water of Shouab beach and on most of thedays these ocean going creatures are swimming by- right on your boat. And if luck stand by you... you will be rewarded by swimming with the very rare ocean dolphins which is common to see in the water of Socotra.

Fishing activity

is recently new invented tours on the Island. and due to its eco-system and marine reserves, and being deficient in facilities and conveniences there area some necessary restriction to be taken in the consideration however, Socotra known as an ideal place for fishing due to its location in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea. Socotra fishes exports to world in these days. The majority of the locals on the island are fishermen. If you are looking for a truly fishing experience...Then you should plan your holiday to Socotra Island, trips can be prearranged to join the local fishing men and go out to the sea and familiarize with there traditions means and equipments use like fishing net. With this prime location is known for an excellent climate on the months of February up to April, with breathtaking sceneries and big sized game fishes of Tuna fish, King fish, Barracuda, Sail fish, etc, youwill feel beauty of nature and mixed with the real adventure.

As the waters surrounding the island of Socotra rapidly drop to depths beyond 1,000 m, excellent fishing grounds can befound already within 30 minutes after leaving the harbor.

Newcomers to this activity will reactive the necessary information as how and when they will get with the fishermen.

The monsoon winds

The monsoon winds

There are two annual monsoons the south-west monsoon, which kicks up high seas around the island from early June to early October (this moon soon brings occasionally heavy rains in June), has created a physical barrier to access by sea since earliest times.

These intercontinental stratospheric winds blow from Africa towards the Himalaya mountains, bringing the wet to India. But as they pass over Socotra they are caught by the nearly 5000 feet high Hagghier mountains and dragged fiercely down over the northern coast.

The wind blows on the north coast, non-stop, day and night, for three months at approximately 90 kilometers per hour with some gusts at 180 kph, in the area of Hadibo, between Howlaf and Mori.

May delivers a smaller amount of precipitation. The annual rainfall varies between 130 to 170 mm/hour. Even during the calmer months sea landings may still be difficult due to a combination of logistical problems, including the absence of adequate harbor facilities. But since 1999 with the building of a new airstrip (the longest in the Yemen), which is built facing into the monsoon winds, the Boeing planes are now able to land all the year round. So as tourists you can come to Socotra at any time, depending on what you want to experience.

Travel Tips

Eco- friendly travellers to Socotra...


It is important to respect and conserve the natural and environment of each country you visit; within Socotra Island. Nature has granted Socotra with many beautiful elements which need to be preserved so, that the next visitors can enjoy Socotra’s exquisite beauty. There is also an interesting culture on Socotra that should be respected, “remember how you would be treated in you own home country”. We are committed to conserve our island. So only we invite you to share with us this cooperation in this regards. Wherever you go, only take memories and leave foot prints! We have put together a few guidelines and environmental tips for keeping on good terms with locals and nature!

Please:

Heed the advice of your guide at all times.

Don’t import or export any biological material or alien species from or the to Island.

Do not leave or throw any litter.

Don’t drop your cigarette buts any where–dispose of them properly.

Don’t swim in sea or rivers unless your guide recommends it.

Don’t make erratic movements as this will frighten or aggravate the wildlife.

Don’t drive off the roads in game reserves and national parks.

Don’t raise your voice or speak loudly inside cave… whisper!

Don’t feed fishes (this creates dependency).

Don’t touch or damage corals.

Use only dead wood to set up a fire.

Ask permission before taking photographs of locals specially women.

Wear well covered dresses while you are in the town or in the villages or where are local people surrounding you because this offending the locals.

Don’t take shells and pieces of corals.

Children might be asking you for money or sweets, bear in mind that it is not allowed to hand money over children ( by handing money to children you encourage begging) and the dental treatment is not readily available on the Island. We recommend handing out pens, pieces of paper and clothes.

Support local business and community initiatives by buying local items rather than imported good.

Socotra Itenerary

Day 1: Hadibo, beach and sunset

Welcome at Socotra airport, on monday or friday morning flight. To have a quick preview of the island, we will visit the Socotra Ecotourism Society visitor information center at the airport. Then we will then go to the hotel in Hadibo to check in.
After lunch in a restaurant in Hadibo, we will visit Deleisha coast, not far from Hadibo: swimming in the sea and also in a freshwater lagoon, sleeping on pristine white sand, taking pictures of the landscape with a beautiful background of mountains. If you want to stay up to the night, you will see a fabulous sunset from Deleisha. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Hadibo.

Day 2: Hiking around the Dragon Trees
After breakfast, we will go by 4x4 vehicle to Dixsam plateau and Shebahon viewpoint. Dixsam, located in the mountains in central Socotra, is famous for the endemic Dragon Blood trees. For the Shebahon viewpoint, you will enjoy a fabulous panorama on the Daerhu canyon. Then, we will go down (easy walk) to the wadi (river) and get lunch near the fresh water.Swimming is possible in the freshwater pools. At the end of the afternoon, driving to the camping site in Dixsam.
dragonblood tree
Day 3 Dunes and sea

After breakfast start hiking for 4-5 hour from the camp sit to Hagehar, in the South Coast of Socotra. This itinerary maybe be also made by car. Lunch on the way. Arrive at Amek beach, a beach with blue waters and bright white dunes of sand (on the photo, you can see me in the dunes).
Dinner and overnight camping at Amek beach.
amek socotra

Day 4: Qalansyia/Detwah lagoon

After breakfast we drive from Amek beach to Qalansyia fishing village, very traditional. A few kilometers from Qalansyia, we go to the protected area of Detwah lagoon, probably the most famous landscape of Socotra. Swimming, sleeping under the sun, climbing the dunes, bird-watching...
Dinner and camping overnight in Detwah lagoon.
qalansia socotra

Day 5: Going to Shu’ab beach with dolphins
After breakfast at Detwah lagoon we take a boat ride from Qalansyia to Shu’ab. Many cormamorants and dolphins on the way. We arrive at Shu’ab after a one hour trip and we will have lunch. Free afternoon to swim, enjoy this pristine beach or discovering the near area. In late afternoon we take the boat ride back to Qalansyia. Line fishing may also be possible from the boat, if you want fish for dinner of course.We will then go back to Hadibo for dinner and overnight in hotel. shuab socotra

Day 6: Arher

After having breakfast, we drive by vehicle to Arher beach on the north east coast, which is a meeting point of salty and fresh water, with huge dunes going down from top of mountains, up the turquoise sea. We will enjoy swimming and exploring this site. Fantastic view from the top of the dunes is possible if you are strong enough to climb! Dinner and overnight camping at Arher, near of freshwater river.
arher socotra

Day 7: Dihamri marine protected area

Dihamri marine protected area is the one of the richest coral reefs of the archipelago. This is a good area for snorkeling or diving as well (diving is not included in the price of the trip). But please do not to touch the corals in the marine protected area as this would cause irreversible damage. Back to Hadibo for dinner and overnight at hotel in Hadibo. dihamri socotra

Day 8 : Departure from Socotra

After an early breakfast, we will drope to Socotra airport to take your morning flight to the mainland. If you are lucky, the aircraft pilot will flight over Socotra and you will be able to have an aeral view from the sites you have visited.