KNOW SOCOTRA

SOCOTRA, YEMEN

The Socotra Archipelago is a hidden gem located in the western part of the Indian Ocean. It's known for its exceptional biodiversity, pristine landscapes and friendly locals. Visiting Socotra is truly an experience of a lifetime!

WEATHER

The weather in Socotra is fairly stable much of the year, but does have some seasonal variability. "Tourist season" starts from the end of September, when the monsoon season ends.

September – October (H: 32C L: 21C) usually brings warm and windless days.

November (H: 30C L: 19C) sometimes brings episodic rainfalls and storms.

December – January (H: 28C L: 17C) is when all of the trees of the island get their leaves back. It is the best time for walking and hiking.

February – March (H: 29C L: 18C) are the most beautiful months. The Dragon Blood and Bottle Trees are in bloom and the sea calms down.

April – May (H: 33C L: 22C) get quite hot (30-34ºC). The sea is calm and the water is warm.

June-July-August (H: 34C L: 23C) is the monsoon season. Strong, hot winds blow the dirt and dust through the air and create very rough seas.

CULTURE AND LANGUAGE

Socotrans have been the careful guardians of the island for millennia, creating complex traditional rules for managing the environment which has protected the biodiversity you still see today. People are heavily reliant on their livestock, fishing and tourism for livelihood.

The locals of the island speak their own Semitic language, Socotri, but Arabic is widely spoken as well. There are fears that since Socotri has no written form that it will become extinct.

FOOD

Hungry? Get ready to experience delicious Socotran cuisine! Seeing as Socotra is an island, fish is one of the staples. It’s usually served with rice and flavorful spices. Chicken and goat meat is also eaten with rice, but these aren’t as often as fish.

Also common is fasolia (red beans) and egg omelets eaten with traditional Yemeni bread, potato stew and pasta with tuna.

Want something sweet? Try masoob, a dessert made by smashing over-ripe bananas with bread. The mixture is then topped with cream, honey and dried fruit or nuts.

PLANTS AND ANIMALS

Socotra is home to a huge diversity of flora and fauna, many species of which are endemic. The island is teeming with hundreds of species of birds, insects, fish, coral and other marine life. While snorkeling its very common to see turtles, octopuses, bright-colored fish and coral. Be on the lookout for dolphins on your way to Shoab Beach!

While the island is best known for the legendary Dragon Blood Trees, it is also home to about 830 types of plants with over 300 not being found anywhere else on Earth!

ENVIRONMENT

As isolated as Socotra is, the island is living proof that the human environmental impact has reached every nook of the world. Between climate change and waste build-up, Socotra needs help. We are committed to showing Socotra to the world with as little environmental impact as possible.

We strongly encourage our guests not to leave waste paper behind, bring environmentally friendly hygiene products, and to make sure trash gets securely placed in the proper bag.