Hadiboh & Surroundings Highlights

Hadiboh

Hadiboh, the largest city and capital of Socotra, home to roughly 10,000 or so residents.

It’s a bit of a ramshackle place with constant construction, dirt roads, and unfortunately a lot of rubbish in the streets but it is where most of the hustle and bustle of the island takes place.

Hadiboh’s center is small and easily walkable making a quick tour of town an easy task, albeit not the highlight of most travelers’ time on Socotra.

The Grand Mosque is the most noticeable landmark in town and a good structure to look for if you do get lost in the maze of streets around the souk (but don’t worry, you wouldn’t be lost long as Hadiboh is still quite small).

The main things to see in Hadiboh include the souk and the fish market, the latter is the busiest and most exciting in the morning.

Hadiboh is where you’ll find the bulk of the shops on Socotra, hotels (more and more are popping up each year), and souvenir opportunities.

A few great souvenirs to bring home from Socotra include Socotri honey, a fouta (the skirt that the men wear), handicrafts such as palm reed woven mats and bags, Socotri carpets, frankincense, dragon blood resin, and more.

Shops not to miss include the Honey Center and the Socotra Women’s Association Shop, just ask your guide to bring you to them.

Adourno

Located just on the outskirts of Hadiboh’s north, Adourno is a small, yet scattered village.

Adourno isn’t a destination in itself, so much as it is a great jumping-off point for treks into the Haggier Mountains.

3-7 day treks as well as day hikes can begin from Adourno taking in some of the best of the Haggier Mountain sceneries and some of Socotra’s endemic plantlife.

Delisha Beach

Delisha Beach is a convenient 30 minute drive east of Hadiboh, making it a great day one stop for a quick dip before continuing to other adventures.

Delisha isn’t the most beautiful beach on the island either, so it’s a good stop early on in the itinerary as you build up toward bigger and more impressive destinations.

A village by the name of Delisha sits just next to the beach, the main attraction there being the Gujarati stone markers.

The stone markers date back to around the 17th-18th century, left behind by Gujarati sailors.

The sailors left inscriptions on the stone markers with the names of those on board and detailing their journey to Socotra from India.

To get to the Gujarati stone markers, have your guide request a Delisha local who can bring you there for a small fee.

Back to Delisha Beach, it is possible to camp here on your itinerary or upgrade to one of the dome-style rooms on the beach with A/C at the Eco Lodge.

Shiq

Just a couple of miles east of Hadiboh, Shiq was Socotra’s original capital, though these days its a lively village that is more or less a suburb of Hadiboh.

Shiq likely served as the capital due to its better-accessible harbor area.

Shiq’s main claims to fame are all relics left behind by the Portuguese, who would have spent much of their time in Socotra during the early 16th century.

The Portuguese originally arrived in Socotra in 1507 under the command of Tristan da Cunha, along with 16 battleships. A fierce battle with the Arabs on the island was quickly underway with the Portuguese claiming victory.

The easiest to reach the ruins left behind by the Portuguese are the old Portuguese Church and the Portuguese Fortress.

The church is little more than a scattering of pillar bases in the middle of Shiq, while the Portuguese Fortress is located a short uphill hike from the main road cutting east across Socotra with little remaining aside from a couple of walls.

In the end, the Portuguese left Socotra in 1511.

The main attraction in Shiq though is Adeeb’s Nursery, which was established by local man Adeeb Hadid. 

Here at Adeeb’s, you can see several of Socotra’s famed endemic saplings to be later transplanted in other locations on Socotra. 

Another site to see is the Deda’aneten Petroglyphs which are 350 meters south of Shiq.

Deda'ahneten Rock Art

Deda’ahneten is just 350 meters south of the center of Shiq and features a 176 meter slab with a scattering of petroglyphs that date back to before the arrival of the Portuguese in the 16th century.

The Deda’ahneten Petroglyphs features human and animal forms, cruciform shapes, a ship, and even plants.

These petroglyphs would go on to become the very first protected site on Socotra.

Eriosh Rock Art

Near the village of Almah, located about 20 kilometers southwest of Hadiboh, is one of Socotra’s largest and oldest rock art sites known as Eriosh.

Eriosh is known for its scattering of petroglyphs across a large limestone plain. These petroglyphs feature human figures, animal figures, and geometric patterns.

Enquire with your guide in Socotra if the Eriosh Petroglyphs are possible to visit once you are on the island as the area does fill with water after rainstorms and especially during the monsoon season.