For decades, Socotra remained largely forgotten by international tourism. Isolated in the Indian Ocean and belonging to Yemen, one of the countries most affected by armed conflict in the Middle East, the island stayed off traditional travel routes, preserving a landscape widely regarded as one of the most surreal on the planet.
Located strategically at the entrance of the Red Sea, Socotra has been contested throughout history by the Portuguese, French, British, and Arab powers. Despite its geographic importance, it fell into isolation, with limited infrastructure, little international trade, and minimal tourism flows.
In recent years, however, the island has begun to attract the attention of adventure travellers and nature enthusiasts. Its gradual opening to tourism — driven largely by support from the United Arab Emirates — has enabled the establishment of regular air connections and an increase in organised tours to the archipelago.
Known for its nearly empty beaches, massive sand dunes, natural pools, and rugged mountains, Socotra stands out mainly for its unique biodiversity. According to the Nit portal, around 40% of the species found on the island are endemic, meaning they exist nowhere else on Earth. Among its most iconic symbols is the “dragon blood tree,” famous for its umbrella-like shape and red sap.
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008, the island is often described by visitors as a place “frozen in time.” The absence of large hotels, restaurants, and supermarkets means the tourism experience is largely based on camping and direct contact with nature and local communities.
“Today, visiting Socotra is like travelling decades back in time,” recently said Portuguese travel guide Pedro Quirino, who organises expeditions to the archipelago. According to him, the island still preserves traditional lifestyles and customs rarely seen in modern tourist destinations.
Access to the archipelago remains limited. Entry is exclusively by air, through flights mainly operating from cities such as Jeddah, Mukalla, and Cairo. Visitors also require a special visa issued only through authorised tour operators.
With the gradual rise in tourist numbers, concerns over environmental preservation are also growing. Tour operators and visitors have called for responsible tourism practices, warning of the need to protect one of the world’s rarest and most fragile ecosystems before tourism growth permanently transforms the island.
