Plan Your Trip
Plan Your Trip
Getting there
We fly you from Jeddah to Socotra and back, and the flight is included in every tour. There are two flights each week, on Tuesday and Thursday.
Tickets for this route cannot be booked online — the booking has to be made by a licensed operator on the island, which is part of what we handle for you.
- Route
- Jeddah ⇄ Socotra
- Frequency
- Twice weekly — Tuesday and Thursday
- Tour season
- End of September to early May
Visa
We arrange your Socotra visa. Send us a copy of your passport and we do the rest — but please allow two to three weeks before you travel, so plan ahead rather than booking at the last minute.
- Lead time
- 2–3 weeks before travel
- Payment
- Separate from the tour price
- Not available for
- Holders of Israeli passports
The visa fee itself is paid separately from the tour. Ask us and we will tell you the current amount and how it is paid.
When to come
We run tours from the end of September to early May. The best months are November to March.
The island closes to us in June, July and August, and sometimes for part of May — the monsoon wind makes the sea impossible and the camps unworkable. We would rather turn a booking away than take you in conditions that spoil it.
What to bring
Travel light, and bring good protection from the sun. That is genuinely most of it.
We provide the camping side of things — sleeping bags, tents, lights, and Starlink internet at camp. You do not need to carry any of it with you.
Money
Bring US dollars in cash. Local exchange is available on the island once you arrive.
Around $500 is a sensible amount for personal spending across a tour — your food, transport, guiding and entrance fees are already included.
Dress, and being a guest here
Dress is not strictly enforced, and nobody will trouble you about it. A head covering is recommended for women in town, and it is appreciated rather than required.
Is Socotra safe?
Yes. Socotra sits far out in the Indian Ocean, away from the conflict on the Yemeni mainland, and it is not affected by it. Crime is close to non-existent, and visitors are met with real hospitality.
You will not be travelling alone in any case — you are with our guides and drivers throughout.
Common questions
- Is Socotra safe?
- Yes. Socotra sits far out in the Indian Ocean, away from the conflict on the Yemeni mainland, and it is not affected by it. Crime is close to non-existent, and you are with our guides and drivers throughout.
- Do I need vaccinations or malaria tablets?
- No — none are needed.
- What is the food like? Can you cater for vegetarians or allergies?
- Vegetarian food and allergies are no problem — just let us know.
- Are the toilets and showers at camps basic or proper?
- The camps are basic.
- How fit do I need to be?
- Fit enough for rough travel — the roads are very bumpy.
- Can children come? Is there an age limit?
- Yes, children are welcome and there is no age limit — though we would not recommend bringing newborns.
- Can women travel alone with you?
- Yes, women travel with us on their own.
- Is there phone signal? Can I contact home?
- Outside Hadibo you are connected through our Starlink. In Hadibo itself there is mobile service.
- What happens if there is a medical emergency?
- We take you to Hadibo, where there is a main hospital.
- Do I need travel insurance?
- Up to you.
Ask us anything
Itineraries are sent on request. Message us and we will reply personally.
The itinerary is part of our know-how and we will be happy to send it to you upon request.
Fastest reply