Eastern Socotra Highlights

Arher Dunes

Famed for its sugary-white sands, Arher Dunes are the tallest of Socotra’s dunes. 

Subsequently, Arher is one of the most beautiful beach locations and camping sites in all of Socotra.

Make sure to climb the massive dunes of Arhher, preferably at sunrise or just before sunset for some of the best views on the island.

If you’re up for more of a challenge, you can climb up onto the ridgeline along a crude path a bit further east from the main Arher Dunes area where you’ll have excellent views of the spine of Socotra’s east spilling off into an area where the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean meet. 

Arher is a great place to see bioluminescence on Socotra should they be out, so make sure and walk down to the beach at night in hopes of seeing the brilliant blue glow of phosphorescent plankton. 

Crab City

Head to the north coast along the Ras Erissel area of Socotra and you will almost certainly come across a white sand beach covered in small pyramids of sand- this is Crab City.

Ghost crabs, which can be found all over Socotra’s coast dig holes on the beaches of the island creating these pyramidal mounds of sand while they nestle themselves into their new home, guarding the entrance.

Di Hamri

Translating to ‘Two Rocks’ from Socotri, Di Hamri lives up to its name with two massive red rock piles that are visible from far away. 

Di Hamri is a marine nature sanctuary and home to some of the best snorkeling on Socotra. 

From the beach, a short swim will bring you to colorful coral reefs, a rainbow of fish, sea turtles, barracuda, moray eels, reef sharks, and more.

Di Hamri’s Beach is unique in that it’s made up of coral fragments washed up on the shore making it uniquely beautiful.

There is an established campsite here at Di Hamri with a simple toilet and shower block and is served by a small restaurant run by locals (their rice and fish are excellent).

Snorkeling gear is available to rent for the day for $10 per person. Diving trips can be arranged in advance from Di Hamri too for a fee.

Homhil

Homhil is a protected nature sanctuary due to its high number of dragon blood trees, bottle, trees, cucumber trees, and frankincense trees, as well as a scattering of other endemic plant species, which Homhil is famous for. 

Another famed site of Homhil is the natural infinity pool that overlooks the Arabian Sea (though due note that the pool was nearly empty as of April 2023 due to cracks that have emerged in the base rock that forms it, still TBD the situation in the 2023-2024 season).

A few hundred meters up from the infinity pool a simple campsite with a toilet exists.

Homhil can be reached by road (most of the time, it does occasionally get washed out after the monsoon) or by a roughly two-hour uphill hike from near the main Hadiboh-Erissel Road. 

Locals from the scattering of homes and villages around Homhil sell small sachets of dried dragon blood resin and frankincense which can make for great souvenirs to take home.

Hoq Cave

A 9 kilometer round trip hike from Terbak Village will bring you to one of Socotra’s most impressive sites, Hoq Cave.

Hoq Cave is one of Socotra’s most important archeological sites for its 2nd century AD petroglyphs deep inside the cave.

You can hike about 1 kilometer inside the cave among massive stalactites and stalagmites to eventually end up at an underground lake. 

Even those not so interested in spelunking activities will leave Hoq Cave thoroughly impressed.

Get an early start as it is a fairly steep yet gradual hike from Terbak up to the entrance of Hoq Cave and well worth the effort. 

Qaria Lagoon

The largest freshwater lagoon on Socotra, Qaria Lagoon is a wonderful picnic stop-off and a paradise for birders visiting the island. 

Many migratory birds that come to Socotra are attracted to Qaria Lagoon’s waters.

Keep an eye out for pink flamingos who frequent the area, especially in the winter months. 

Ras Erissel

Socotra’s eastern extremity features a narrow spit of land jutting into the flanks of both the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean known as Ras Erissel. 

You’ll know you’ve reached the terminus of Ras Erissel and Socotra’s east end when you arrive at the giant whale bones erected at a beach littered with spines from puffer fish. 

Nearby you will also find a beach where fisherman launch their boats to sea as well as a village by the name of Nissam that features a small shop and welcoming residents. 

The women in Nissam weave some excellent hebia, a traditional belt worn by Yemenis that is used to help with posture. They also weave nice purses out of the strips of hebia too. 

Riquela

Just a bit east of Qaria is a village by the name of Riquela. 

Riquela is home to the small one-room Socotra Folk Museum. 

The museum features traditional items from all over the island, including household items, corals, a boat, and more.

There aren’t any explanations of the items on display in the Socotra Folk Museum but surely your guide will be able to explain the uses behind the items on display.

Rosh

Rosh is Socotra’s other marine protected area alongside Di Hamri, though more difficult to reach as it is located about 1 kilometer offshore.

Another excellent snorkel spot, Rosh is well worth going out of your way for if it’s underwater activities you’re after.

Rosh does feature a small shelter so spending a little time there is a possibility.