Essential advises to consider before you visit Socotra.
When to travel to Socotra?
Socotra is the largest Island in Yemen and as such the climate of the Island can differ significantly from mainland. Due the island location, the strong monsoon which starting from June to the end of September yearly.
Broadly speaking, it makes limited season to visit Socotra, so the very best time to visit Socotra Island is from October to the end of March, when the weather is very pleasant in the Island.
The months of April and May are good to visit Socotra, but the weather can be hot and humid, with daytime highs of temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius.
Accommodation.
Socotra Island is an Eco-tourism system and it’s still new to the international tourism market and the hotel accommodation on Socotra is not the same international standard, though it’s quite good and improving up yearly.
Hotels on Socotra Island
There are 5 Hotels on Socotra, four of them located in Hadibo, the capital city of Socotra and one located near Socotra airport in Mori.
Three Hotels on one level (Diamond Hotel, Socotra Hotel and Taj Socotra Hotel), the fourth hotel is Heathrow which is quite good, the fifth hotel is Summerland Hotel which is the best hotel on Socotra, the hotel has European style and high furniture, the cost for a single room is 100USD per night and 140USD for a double room per night, both rates including breakfast.
Eco-lodging
If you wanna to Visit Socotra, it’s possible also to camp outside of town, since there are several campsites and Eco-lodging provides sleeping services.
There are several camping sites on Socotra, such as the camping site in Homhil , camping site in Arhur beach, camping site in Dihamry (supplied with toilets and shower), camping site in Aomaq beach (supplied with toilets and shower), camping site in Dixsam plateau (supplied with toilets and shower), camping site in Fermihin forest, camping site in Detwah (supplied with toilets and shower) and camping location in Delisha beach as well as there is a camping site there supplied with toilets and shower.
How to travel to Socotra Island?
From Abu Dhabi (UAE ) by Air Arabia which operates a weekly direct flight to Socotra every Tuesday.
The flight is not available for online booking, because it is a charter flight, but of course we will help you to book your flight and also to buy your flight tickets through the Air Arabia agent.
The cost of international airline tickets (Abu Dhabi – Socotra – Abu Dhabi) 3000 dirhams (860 US dollars).
The flight currently leaves Abu Dhabi airport at 09:30AM and return to Abu Dhabi airport at 15:30 (UAE Timezone GMT+4).
The flight arrives on Socotra airport at 10:40AM and leaves Socotra airport at 12:10PM (Yemen Timezone GMT+3).
How to getting tourist visa in order to visit Socotra ?
All Socotra Island visitors require in advance entry visa, Socotra Holidays and Tours will take care for everything. So once you confirm your tour booking, we
need to send us scan colored copy of your passport (the first page which has your personal details), valid at least for 6 months in order to process the visas from here via Immigration Passports and Nationality Authority (Please see the photo).
The Procedures of the visa is going to take maximum 3-5 working days from the applying date. And then we’ll send you scan colored copy of your visa by email or whatsapp
or Telegram
,…,etc. which you’ll use to aboard into your flight to Socotra, we will meet you upon your arrival at the airport with the original document of the visa and we’ll finalize the final registration of the visa (sticker and stamped your passport).
The validity of the Visa.
The validity of the visa is 30 days from the issuing date. that’s mean the visa must be active during this period, once activated, you’ll get 1-2 months resident visa.
Important notice.
Please remember that we only process a tourist visa for the clients who wishing to take advantage of complete tour packages, that typically include the itinerary of the sightseeing for the period of stay in Socotra. And we don’t issue a single visa without tour package. So, if your main reason of visit Socotra is any other activity that isn’t related to the tourism, or without complete package and Services, please don’t contact us for arranging you a visa.
What to pack?
Here are few useful things to pack when you visit Socotra:-
– Sun protection, sunglasses and a sun hat.
– Sleeping bag.
– Good walking shoes.
– Torch (preferably a small head torch).
– Insect repellent and Towel.
– USB Car charger to re-charge your camera battery or your mobile.
Diving season.
The best time to come to Socotra for diving is Early October, the first half of December, the second half of January and from the second half of February to May.
Fishing sport.
The prime season for sport fishing are from October till November and then from February till end of May.
Water sports, Surfing and windsurfing.
During the monsoon which starts from June to September, it is the best time for the people who interested in adventures sports, like windsurfing, surfing and kite surfing.