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Last updated on December 18, 2024
Socotra is an isolated island that has always kept safe and attracted visitors, despite belonging to war-torn Yemen.
Home to around 60,000 people, Socotra is also rich in unique flora and fauna that made it become a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008.
Dragon Blood and Bottle Trees, white sandy beaches, unique cultural heritage and a wide range of endemic species, Socotra is a very different destination from anywhere you’ve seen in the Middle East.
This travel guide will cover everything you need to know about traveling to Socotra, including visas, how to get in, where to stay, things to do, and more.
Don’t forget to check our travel guide to Yemen Mainland
In this travel guide to Socotra you will find:
Socotra today: what’s the situation like?
As you may know, Yemen is essentially divided into two regions:
- Yemen Arab Republic, also known as North Yemen
- People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen, also known as South Yemen
For detailed information on why these two regions are considered different, check the relevant section in our Yemen travel guide.
Where is the island of Socotra located?
Socotra is an archipelago located 350km southeast of Yemen, and it belongs to South Yemen.
Today, North Yemen (with Sanaa as its capital) is ruled by the Houthis, while South Yemen is mostly controlled by the officially recognized Government, which is backed by Saudi Arabia.
However, a significant part of South Yemen is ruled by the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a separatist group who want South Yemen to become an independent country.
This separatist group rules over Aden, Mukallah and Socotra, and they are backed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the reason you can find Emirates flags waving all across the island, and the reason why tourism has been increasing so much over the past few years.
The UAE has big plans for Socotra when it comes to making it become a prime eco-tourism destination, but that will only happen once Yemen as a whole becomes a more stable destination, and it’s worth investing in.
When will this happen? Nobody can know.
Do you need a visa for Socotra?
Yes, for traveling to Socotra, you will need a visa, but it’s relatively easy to get one,…
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