Socotra Island is an extremely remote, difficult, yet unique and beautiful destination, which many people don’t think to travel to. Therefore, there isn’t a lot of solid information or posts with travel tips to prepare you for a intense week there.
I wasn’t aware of most of the things I’ve written about here until I experienced them for myself, and I’m happy to be able to share this info to help some of you out. Trust me when I say, you need to be prepared for Socotra Island!
Before I start, I just want to mention that I did this trip solo (but with a tour company, which is mandatory), and I didn’t love being solo! There’s a lot of down time, so I’d recommend going with friends, or joining my small group trip next year!
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Ok now on to my Socotra Island Essential Travel Tips:
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Use a Reputable Local Tour Company
You cannot just go to Socotra Island; it has to be through a tour company .Otherwise you would likely either crash a car, get lost, and/or die. Well, that and there aren’t even vehicles available to rent, and you need one to get around.
That being said, the most important tip I have for you, is to book your Socotra tour with a reputable company. Not all of them are registered tour companies, and from what I’ve heard from other people, not all of them hit all of the hightlights, and importantly; offer a relatively diverse meal option.
I went to Socotra Island on a collaboration with Eye of Socotra (meaning they hosted me for free in exchange for promoting them), so of course I am biased, however I was extremely happy with my tour, and I would honestly recommend them.
In fact, I’ll be using them for my 2025 group trip with MyLifesATravelTRIBE, so if you’d like to join us, please click here for more info.
You can also book directly with them by DM’ing them on Instagram. Please mention you heard about them from me, so they know I am doing my job! (Note: I do NOT receive commission or payment).
Here’s some things to look for in a good Socotra Island tour company:
- Handles your visa (you pay)
- Arranges flight (you pay, see below for more details )
- Offers meal variation (I heard of companies that give you tuna steak every day)
- Is accredited and approved by the government
- Speaks English, Arabic, and Soqotrian
- Is Local! Always support locals!
- Has car chargers
Cultural and Religious Etiquette in Socotra
Socotra (which is actually called “Soqotra”)is owned by Yemen, which is a primarily Muslim country. However, I learned that Socotra and its people are quite different than mainland Yemenis. Most people are Muslim, however since there is a large gap in education about the religion anywhere outside the main town of Hodiboh, it is no where near as strict.
Plus, there are hardly any people in the areas you’ll be visiting. You do still need to respect these people though, and respect the preservation of their culture and land.
Here’s a breakdown of do’s and don’ts to be culturally and relgiously appropriate:
- Dress somewhat modestly – people aren’t used to seeing a lot of skin, so if you don’t want to feel uncomfortable, cover up! I’m not saying wear a burka. Think longer shorts, loose pants, jeans, longer dresses, basically anything that isn’t showing your ass or too much cleavage.
- Swimsuits are Ok – I thought that swimsuits would be taboo, but they are actually Ok. I saw people wearing bikinis, but I preferred a moderate coverage one piece, which I felt comfortable in. I wouldn’t suggest a thong, or anything too revealing, as there are usually local men at the swim spots who will definitely be watching you.
- Drinking is allowed – this is actually a secret, so don’t go crazy or be flashy about it. There is no alcohol sold or available on Socotra Island, but you are allowed to bring it with you. It is highly frowned upon in Hodiboh though, so wait until you’re at camp to drink it. Also, keep in mind most mornings you need to wake up at 6am!
- Don’t play music during prayer – Muslim religion requires prayer five times per day. If you see your guide, driver, or anyone else praying, be sure to turn off music and keep quiet.
- No hugging or affection – I accidentally learned that hugging your guide is forbidden when I went to say goodbye to mine at the airport. It’s part of Muslim religion, so be sure not to hug any locals! If you’re going with a partner, try to keep your PDA to a minimum unless inside your tent.
- Don’t Take Photos of Children – this goes for anywhere in the world. Yes, the kids are absolutely adorable, but they are not wildlife. Respect them by being kind, but don’t take photos.
Visa and Flights
Not to be repetitive, but Socotra Island is not easy or cheap to get to. But for those determined, it’s not that bad. Here’s what you need to know:
- Visa – your tour company needs to apply for the visa for you, and the cost is $150. You will likely need to bring cash to give them in person. Print out your visa and bring it with you
- Passport Stamp – you will NOT get a Yemen stamp in your passport, because it will likely cause problems for you. Instead, they will fill out a paper on arrival, and give you the bottom half of it. Be sure you keep this paper with your passport, because it’s required to leave!
- Flights – the only way to get to Socotra is through Ciaro or Abu Dhabi. I don’t have info on Cairo, but I know it was pretty easy flying out of Abu Dhabi. There are only two flights per week on Tuesdays and Fridays, and the schedule is available through your tour company. The cost is about $900 round trip. Despite what the internet says, you will need to go to Terminal A, and the airline is Air Arabia.
- Abu Dhabi Layover – I recommend staying in Abu Dhabi the night before the flight since it’s very early. Here’s some important tips for where to stay and how to get around: Abu Dhabi Long Layover on a Budget Guide.
What to Expect to See in Socotra
So glad you asked, please click below to see my entire post about the best things to see in Socotra!
Packing Recommendations
Your tour company will give you a packing list, but the one I got was nowhere near as extensive as this. I also wasn’t fully sure what this trip was going to include and entail, so I wasn’t prepared with the right items a lot of the time.
PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MY LIST OF ALL THE AMAZON PRODUCTS BELOW!!
Based on what I experienced, here is my packing list recommendations for Socotra Island:
- Modest swimsuits (2-3)
- Swimsuit sarong or coverup
- Microfiber travel towel
- Water shoes
- Sneakers
- Flip flops/sandals
- Electronics chords that work (check before you leave)
- Portable batteries, especially solar powered ones
- Car charger (ask tour company if they’ll have one)
- Sunscreen (reef safe)
- Enviro friendly shampoo/soap
- Biodegradable wipes
- Biodegradable face cleaner wipes
- Biodegradable waste bags or dog poo bags (to put your used wipes in)
- Toothpaste preferably enviro friendly
- Waterbottle
- Chapstick
- DJI Pocket (camera with stabilizer)
- DJI Mavic Mini
- Clothes for hiking
- Powerful, bright headlamp
- Hats
- Sunglasses
- Light jacket for chilly nights
- A book and/or journal (feel free to bring my book!)
- Earth-friendly feminine products
- Daypack/backpack for hikes
Socotra Island Level of Difficulty
I’m not going to sugar coat this in anyway. Socotra Island was difficult in almost every aspect, and that’s coming from someone who has been traveling full time for ten years.
- Getting there: Moderate — only because you have to fly to Abu Dhabi first, then take an expensive charter flight there and back. Many people say the airport process is chaotic, but it’s really not, as long as you’re a patient person.
- Hikes: Hard — the hike to Hoq Cave, Homhil Pool, and Kalysan Pool were pretty difficult
- Roads: Mostly Difficult — they get extremely intense when you go into the mountains
- Camping: Moderate — I didn’t find it difficult to camp because I don’t mind peeing in bushes, but note that some campsites don’t have toilets or showers.
- Food Availability: Amazing! Might be difficult for gluten-free, vegan, vegetarians.
What Camping is Like on Socotra Island
The best way to see the highlights of Socotra Island is by camping. Some tours offer the option to stay at hotels in Hodiboh and to do day trips from there, but you can’t get to certain places by doing that.
As I’ve said, I wasn’t fully sure what to expect before I went on my solo travels in Socotra. I didn’t even know I’d be mostly camping, but eventually was told that most campsites would have toilets, and there would be limited cell service, and that’s about all I knew.
So to ease your worries, here’s what to expect what camping is like on Socotra Island:
- Mostly wild camping (not actual campgrounds, most have toilets and cold showers, but nothing fancy or sparkling clean)
- Tents with thin mattress, pillow, blankets, and a sleeping bag
- Showers are lukewarm or cold and usually require a swimsuit to be worn
- Most meals are eaten at camp and are always warm, besides lunch some days
- You will always have bottled water and tea/coffee available (and usually soda)
- Sidenote: DO NOT leave any trash anywhere including campsites! Including your toilet wipes!
Money and How Much to Bring
The only thing I ever really used money for was to buy some local souvenirs, and to tip my driver at the end of the trip. There are a couple of small snack shops, and in Qalyansia you can also buy fresh lobster and crab for extra, but that’s pretty much it.
Here’s what you need to know in regards to money:
- Bring USD crips unmarked $20 bills or higher to exchange for local currency via guides
- Estimate around $5/day for your driver/chef, and maybe $6-7/day for your guide
- Used for snacks, souvenirs (scarce), and tips
- It’s always better to have more USD than not enough. I’d say bring at least $200, but only exchange a little bit at a time.
Connectivity and Electricity
When I say that Socotra is a remote island, I mean it. Don’t go there expecting to be able to make calls, scroll through social media, check email, or upload anything. Because you can’t.
The most you can probably do is send texts or Whatsapp messages, but keep in mind this will require battery power from your phone, and charging electronics is also very difficult.
- Etisalat SIM card from Abu Dhabi airport – If your phone is unlocked, you can use this SIM card, and it’s the only way to get some connection. Your local carrier roaming will not work, neither will an eSIM. If you can’t use a SIM card, ask your guide if they will be able to hotspot you from theirs sometimes.
- Very limited service — there are only certain spots during the tour that have cell towers. Some days you will not be able to get service at all, so be prepared for it. There is no service in Arher, but I did get service in Firmhin (thank god or I’d be lost in the forest), Detwah, and a few places along the way.
- Calls, video uploads, etc is not possible. You can mostly send and receive texts, although I did get my email to work a few times, and I did upload still photos to Instagram. However, I recommend not wasting your battery/time on social media during this trip!
- WiFi — is only available in Hodoboh. You can buy a voucher from certain restaurants, and it also works pretty well at Summer Land hotel.
Food and Beverages
Before my trip to Socotra Island, I had heard a couple of people complain about the lack of food diversity on their tour. They even told me to bring snacks and hot sauce, because the food is repetitive and bland. This was NOT the case for me!
I was fed like an absolute Queen on my tour with Eye of Socotra! And just to note, I’m a pescatarian (I don’t eat meat, only fish), and I’m very picky, and I still was completely satisfied!
Here’s some tips about the food and beverages on a camping tour of Socotra:
- Might be difficult for strict food restrictions — I’d say the meals are mostly fine for gluten-free, but vegan might be difficult.
- Mostly fresh fish, veggies, rice, pasta, beans. Chicken is also available and one day you get beef.
- Don’t be surprised if you get canned tuna for lunch everyday — my chef gave other things as well, like veggie slices, or pasta, and eventually I showed him how to combine that into tuna salad!
- Water, tea, coffee and soda are included and always available, but there’s no ice after day 2, so don’t expect anything cold
- For breakfast I had mostly fried or boiled eggs, beans, and fruit
- Alcohol is NOT available on the island, but it is allowed. You can buy it in Abu Dhabi and bring it if you’d like, but be discrete, and don’t go crazy!
Safety in Socotra
Safety was a big concern for me before I went to Socotra solo, for a few reasons. One of course was because of the situation in Yemen, which, at the time, involved USA bombing the country. Another was being on a remote island and not able to contact anyone in case of emergency.
With only two flights per week, I was worried about emergency evacuation. And without doubt, I was concerned about camping solo as a woman with two men, plus all the other men from other tour companies.
BUT! I ended up feeling safe most of the time. However there were some times I was slightly concerned. Here’s my tips:
- Crime — there is virtually no crime in Socotra that anyone has heard of. People are very kind, friendly, and welcoming.
- Drunk Men — apparently since alcohol isn’t completely forbidden, yet also not available, when men can get it, they get really drunk, and often all day. It’s only the tour leaders/owners or people who don’t have to drive, and they didn’t cause any harm, but they definitely were too chatty for comfort. My guide easily told them to leave me alone though.
- Roads and Driving — I’m not going to lie, I thought we were going to flip or go off a cliff a few times. Roads are bad because building them is forbidden in order to preserve nature, but the four wheel trucks handle the roads well. Be sure to wear your seatbelt!
- Rocky Beaches and Waters — bring water shoes to avoid your feet being in pain.
- Hikes — potentially dangerous in regards to injuries.
- Yemen conflict — Socotra island is not closely associated with mainland Yemen in any way, nor is it near it. Therefore any conflict in mainland Yemen is not a problem there.
Bugs, Animals, and Other Dangers
There are no dangerous animals that will harm you in Socotra, except maybe spiders, which are very rare to see.
Well, there are goats, cats, and Egyptian Vultures (pictured above) that will steal your food, but that’s about it!
There are bees and wasps, so if you’re allergic, bring meds. When I was there, there were no mosquitoes, no-see-ums, or anything else that bites.
Some plants are spikey, and a very small amount are poisonous, but your guide should point them out to you.
The sun is probably one of the dangers you won’t think of. It’s very strong in Socotra, so be sure to bring eco-friendly sunscreen!
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