Beaches, diving and fishing

Beaches of Socotra

With no exaggeration we could say that the beaches of Socotra are the most beautiful in the world! They are fascinating, wild and pristine at the same time. Come with us to Socotra and see for yourself.

There are many beautiful beaches on Socotra; all covered by white coral sand which also lies on the seabed. Moving inland, the beaches gradually change into very high dunes, reaching to hundreds of meters in height. Socotra is surrounded by the Arabian Sea, which is a part of the Indian Ocean. The beaches are natural habitat for crabs that build their holes in the sand. The crystal clear water will impress you with its azure and almost turquoise colour.

 

On the northern beaches, you will find hawksbill sea turtles that come there to lay their eggs.

Omag (Amak Beach), the well-known beach located in the southern part of the island, is the most isolated and the longest beach on the island. It lies next to Noget sand dunes and offers a view on the Indian Ocean. Here, you can relax by the green oasis or visit the neighbouring villages.

The ardent photographers will be enchanted by the great sand dunes. There are also shelters on the beach and other facilities, such as electricity, showers and toilets that make it a good place for camping.

The jewel of the western part of the island, called Qualansiyah, is Detwah Lagoon. It is one of the most impressive places on the island and it offers an unforgettable experience.

Qalansiyah is a starting point for Shouab beach, one of the most beautiful beaches on the island accessible by boat. The boat trip lasts approximately an hour and you can spend the time by observing the dolphins, various species of birds and monumental rocks on the shores of the island. So, the journey itself turns into a fascinating event.

The deserted beaches with white coral sand, fishing villages and crystal clear sea can be also found in the northeastern part of the island, called Ras Ersel and Arher.

You can watch or even swim with the dolphins, observe the turtles, stingrays and many other colourful fish living on the coral reefs.

Generally, all the beaches on the island are beautiful and ideal places for relaxation. Also, because there are virtually no touristic facilities, you can relax in privacy.

Even though the inhabitants of Socotra keep the Islamic traditions, they are tolerant towards tourists. So, regardless your sex, you can wear swimsuit on the beaches and enjoy both swimming in the azure waters and sunbathe.

Enjoy the unique nature and azure sea every day on a different beach!

Scuba diving and snorkelling

Socotra is a renowned place for scuba diving and snorkelling. Those of you who are attracted to sea life will be fascinated by the diverse species that live in the local waters.

It is entirely up to you whether you opt for snorkelling or dive deeper to explore the sea life.

There are many interesting places for diving that you can choose from:

·        Diharmi – a sea reserve with more than 80 kinds of coral and 150 kinds of fish. The seabed is particularly interesting because of a mountain that rises from its bottom. Here, you can enjoy the deepest dive, up to 50 metres deep. Night diving is possible as well.

·        Rosh – a sea reserve with a coral reef located approximately 1 kilometre from the shore.

·        Ras Irsil – a protected area that offers 7 places for diving. It is particularly interesting because of many shipwrecks lying on the seabed. Some of them are 50 years old and you can easily explore them yourself.

·        Western point on Shouab beach – although there is only 1 place to dive into, there you will find the largest schipwerck.

The diving centre, run by a professional diving instructor (trained under UNDP project), is situated in a camp in Diharmi. The centre also rents scuba diving gear.

Fishing on Socotra

Fishing is one of the important means of support for the aborigines. The locals fish mainly for sharks. It is even said that they were the first ones to do so. They set out late in the afternoon and sail for 4 hours to the open sea and places known for the presence of sharks. The bait is spiked on a large hook, which is welded on leaders from a steel wire and attached to the boat. They fish the whole night and return in the morning with their catch. You can join the fishermen on their trip and watch them at work.

 

If you are an ardent fisherman, fishing can be the main activity of your stay. The greatest catch on Socotra is the great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda).

It is possible to arrange a fishing trip for the whole afternoon for individuals or groups. After your return, you can have your catch prepared in one of the eco camps.