Socotra Island, Yemen

 Iam not kidding when i say this island looks like an alient camp in our lovely earth. But this is the main reason why you must see, observe, travel and enjoy some time in this island. Ex-Travel-Ganzer, welcome to the real alien world in the world, at the southern of Yaman, please welcome the most bizzare, strange but at the same time wonderfull island to be explored.

             Welcome aboard to Socotra Island in Yemen. Socotra name from the word of Sanskrit “sukhadhara dvipa” which meaning as “Happiness Island”. The archipelago consists of the main island of Socotra, and three smaller islands of Abd al Kuri, Samhah and Darsa. There are also small rock outcrops like Ka'l Fir'awn and Sābūnīyah that are uninhabitable by humans but important for seabirds. This island is a perfect destination to explore. You will found unusual feature of island, hiking the mountains, and relaxing in tropical beach.

 Socotra as most beautiful island in the Middle East, almost everything is strange in different: wildlife, nature, flora and fauna, bizarre of rock and stone formation. Socotra also has beautiful beaches. Scuba divers and snorkel will be surprise with amazing untouched coral reefs with many endemic species in the warm of Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.

 In Socotra, you will touch and see many things which is seldom found anywhere else in this planet. All of that makes your holiday in Socotra is perfectly a new tourism destination in the world. Socotra is the real of exotic garden in the world with prehistorical landscape and wild life. So amazing and fantastic holiday destination!

The Socotra Archipelago forms part of the Republic of Yemen, and is located in the northwestern Indian Ocean, some 350km south of the Arabian peninsula. The archipelago consists of the main island of Socotra (3625 km2 ) and three smaller islands, Abd Al Kuri, Samha and Darsa, and other rock outcrops (Koal Pharawn and Sabunya). Socotra is the largest of four islands of the Socotra Archipelago. Its long geographic isolation has given rise to an abundance of flora and fauna found only on the island. Of Socotra’s 825 plant species, 37% are endemic. Ninety percent of its reptile and 95% of its land snail species are also unique to the island. Not surprisingly, Socotra is increasingly popular with eco-tourists.

 The long geological isolation of the island from neighboring Arabia and Africa, has resulted in very high levels of endemism, which make the archipelago a site of global importance for biodiversity conservation. There are a lot of flora and fauna you can see at Socotra. The most interesting and famous is the species of dragon’s blood tree, the species of dragon’s blood tree is unique to Socotra. The tree is so named because a red resin drips from its bark when pierced. Another is the desert that grow up in the desert. The desert rose is one of the unusual sights of Socotra. Its trunk, which can grow quite bulbous, stores water as a safeguard against dry spells. The desert rose can grow to nearly 10 feet, adding to Socotra’s bizarre landscape. And also you can see unique animal such as An Egyptian Vulture, one of 192 bird species that can be found on Socotra.

 Isolated from continental land masses for 18 million years, Yemen's Socotra Island showcases an alien-like landscape with unusual plants and animals, such as the blood dragon tree, pictured, and desert rose. Its high degree of biodiversity has earned it the name the "Galápagos of the Indian Ocean."

 Socotra is characterized by the Haghier Mountains, reaching 1525 m a.s.l., and located in the north-western part of the island. The eastern and central parts of the island receive some rain during fall and winter, while the western part of the island is arid. In spring, from March to May, temperatures usually rise above 40°C. The climate is characterized by the seasonal Monsoon winds, blowing from the North-East during the period October-May and from South-West during the period June-September. From June to September the island is accessible only by plane, because of exceedingly strong monsoon winds, and access by sea is virtually impossible due to high seas and strong winds all around the island. During this time, fishing is impossible and many people move from the northern coast to the mountains to escape the winds, and to harvest their date palms.

The best time to visit the island is between January and March, when the weather is calm and cool, according to the Socotra Archipelago Conservation and Development Program. Avoid June through September, when Socotra is prone to monsoons. Socotra lacks extensive tourism infrastructure, so visitors should be prepared for a rustic stay.

Recent infrastructure improvements and international acknowledgment have helped Socotra climb out of obscurity. Before an airport opened in 1999, access was only by boat, which was not always an option during the island’s monsoon season. In 2008, UNESCO recognized Socotra Archipelago as a World Heritage Site.

How To Get To Socotra Island

Felix Airlines (Saida) offers four flights per week to socotra islands: Sana’a – Mukalla –Rian – Socotra ( Friday and Wednesday). Also Aden – Mukalla- Rian – Socotra ( Saturday and Monday). Flight duration is approximately 2.5 hours for the flights via Mukalla since the aircraft waits only 30 minutes there.

Posted in: Yemen