Hadiboh

With the gorgeous Hagghier Mountains as a looming backdrop Hadiboh is the main city on the island with about 10000 residents. Most of the shops, offices and supply chains are located here. There are small restaurants and streetfood sellers, a bazaar, money exchange offices and a hospital in Hadiboh. It’s definitely worth spending a day, or at least part of a day exploring Hadiboh. Don’t miss the fish market just out of town.

Expect to get a lot of stares, curious interactions, smiles and hellos from local Socotris. More often people may walk up to you and try to communicate or ask you to take their photos.

Unfortunately, there is a lot of garbage all over the streets in Hadiboh.

Northwest

The northwest of Socotra is home to some of the most beautiful coastal scenery on Earth. Think ribbons of white sand and waters that turn from aquamarine to turquoise to emerald green, and finally to sapphire.

  • Qalansiya- This is Socotra’s second-largest city and the jumping-off point for adventures to Shu’ab Beach. It’s worth spending at least a couple of hours meandering around the handful of streets. Expect to attract a crowd of local kids.
  • Detwah Lagoon- Imagine blinding white sand with swirls of crystal clear water– this is Detwah Lagoon. Detwah is great for swimming and exploring the island’s marine life. It’s almost guaranteed Abdullah ‘the caveman” will find you here and invite you out for a few hours of catching seafood, then taking you to his cave and cooking up. On the west end of the lagoon, there is a great hill offering sweeping views over Detwah. A lovely woman (a sister in law of ‘the caveman’) named Saadia lives near the Detwah campsite and is a joy to spend time with.
  • Shu’ab- You’ll most likely arrive here by dhow boat from Qalansiya, but hiking here is a possibility. Shu’ab is a small and remote village set along a beautiful white sand beach flanked by arid cliffs. On the boat ride out here keep an eye on the waters for spinner dolphins.
  • Balaqthan Sinkhole- Roughly halfway between Hadiboh and Qalansiya you’ll reach the village of Balaqthan (just before nearby Ghubba) just off the main paved road. You can follow dirt tracks out there to visit the village (if you arrive when kids are on the afternoon break they’ll be really curious) which has a decent-sized sinkhole just off the beach. Many locals believe its from a meteor strike however, it is more than likely just a result of stone that collapsed here long time ago.
  • Balaqthan Salt Mine- Directly across the main road from the Balaqthan Sinkhole is the Balaqthan Salt Mine. This circular depression is filled with salty water that evaporates, allowing locals to mine salt from the pool.

Northeast

Socotra’s Northeast features caves, plateaus, wild beaches, dunes and a wide variety of endemic flora.

  • Homhil Protected Area- Home to an abundance of Socotra’s endemic flora including dragon blood trees, bottle trees and frankincense. Near the edge of Homhil there is a natural pool that has epic views down onto the Arabian Sea below.
  • Arher Beach & Dunes- Arher has a long white sandy beach and is backed by massive white dunes pushed up against the cliffside. Blue bioluminescent plankton may be seen at night.
  • Dihamri Marine Protected Area- Socotra’s prime spot for snorkeling and diving along reefs. There is a small dive shop that rents diving gear.
  • Hoq Cave- The largest cave on the island accessible by a two hour uphill hike from the village of Saqra. The trek is well worth it for what the cave holds. Fascinating rock formations, impressive stalagmites and stalactites, a rim pool and more await you in Hoq Cave. It is recommended that you bring a headtorch to use inside the cave.
  • Delisha Beach- Not far from Hadiboh. Prior to the cyclones that ravaged the island in 2015 Adeeb’s Eco Lodge sat right off the beach. It is currently being rebuilt and you can camp there.
  • Ras Irisal- Ras Irisal is a cape from which most fishermen in the village of Irisal depart from, featuring two beaches, a sandy beach and a rocky one. This is also the spot where the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea meet and it offers amazing views of Arher Sand Dunes from distance.
  • Crab City- On a small cape-like piece of land that juts out to the north into the sea near the furthest eastern end of Socotra sits a beach facing towards the northeast that has thousands of little “pyramids” on it. Welcome to Crab City. These little pyramids are formed by the ghost crabs that call this beach home as they dig protective tunnels.
  • Rash Marine Protected Area- Another diving and snorkeling spot.
  • Qaria Lagoon- Home to a small village on its shore. Keep an eye out for pink flamingos in the lagoon.
  • Socotra Folk Museum- In the village of Riqala, along the main road connecting Hadiboh to Arher, you’ll pass Socotra Folk Museum. There are a handful of items inside including shells and corals collected from the shores, a sail, and various cultural artifacts including traditional Socotri clothing, a baby’s bassinet, and more.

Trekking in Hagghier Mountains

Hagghier Mountains & Central Socotra

This is where Socotra gets wild with deep wadis, jagged peaks, an otherworldly forest, and friendly Socotri Bedouin people.

  • Hagghier Mountains- Rising from the Earth to heights of over 1,500 meters and home to Skand Peak, Socotra’s highest point. The Hagghier Mountains conveniently sit just south of Hadiboh. Several treks will take you to explore this awesome highland area.
  • Dixam Plateau- This is the heart of Socotra, located in the middle of the island. Dixam Plateau is home to the densest forest of dragon blood trees on the planet (Firmihin Forest), a dragon blood tree nursery and sweeping views into Wadi Dirhur.
  • Wadi Dirhur- The Grand Canyon of Socotra. From Dixam Plateau make your way down for an altitude descent of about 700 meters into the oasis-like canyon. If you make a short detour to the southeast where Wadi Dirhur meets up with another canyon you’ll find freshwater pools where you can swim in. From the wadi you can trek up to Firmihin Forest.
  • Firhimin Forest- The highest concentration of dragon blood trees in the entire world lies in this magical forest on the opposite side of Wadi Dirhur from Dixam Plateau.
  • Wadi Faro- This is a wild ride traveling along Wadi Faro from the north of Socotra to the south. A perfect oasis to enjoy your lunch.
  • Wadi Ayhaft- Wadi Ayhaft is located not too far from Hadiboh, a breathtaking canyon where lush and green flora thrives- you’ll see lots of Euphorbia trees, date palms, and succulents. You will eventually reach a large pool of water in the wadi.

South

Southern Socotra is the more off-beaten-path side of the island with sparse villages and wild beaches. Don’t miss the impressive Dagub Cave and the never ending dunes of Zahek and Hayf.

  • Zahek & Hayf Sand Dunes– Endless white powdery sand dunes along the coastline of the Indian Ocean. Early morning is a nice time to visit as winds are usually dead calm, as well as sunset time to capture the dunes along with great sunset vibes.
  • Aomaq Beach- This beach along Socotra’s southern shore is the perfect place to camp and take in the island’s peaceful atmosphere.
  • Dagub Cave- Its impressive entrance offers a bird’s eye view over the Indian Ocean. It can easily be reached by car.
  • Kelisan- A gorgeous string of wadi pools that end up in a mighty waterfall
  • Momi Plateau- In the south of Homhil Protected Area, Momi offers amazing views over the island. It is considered a “canvas” of frankincense, bottle and cucumber trees of extreme beauty.
  • Dahaisi Cave- This cave is quite an effort to reach, but has some interesting art carvings found on the walls. To reach the cave you’ll need the help of a local guide to show you the way across the Momi Plateau.
  • Steroh- The village you’ll reach on the southern coast of Socotra as you drive down the mountains along the main road crossing the island from the north.