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Are you searching for a truly unique travel experience? Socotra, the mysterious island off the coast of Yemen, remains one of the most extraordinary destinations in the world. However, access to the island has changed due to shifts in power and airline operations. This blog provides a clear and up-to-date overview of travelling to Socotra for 2026 and 2027, including current flight options, practical information, and what to expect.
Why Visit Socotra?
Known as the “Galápagos of the Indian Ocean,” Socotra is a paradise for adventure seekers and nature lovers. The island offers surreal landscapes with iconic dragon’s blood trees, pristine beaches untouched by resorts, and authentic local culture.
Experience campfires under starry skies, explore remote villages, and enjoy genuine Yemeni hospitality. Socotra is free from mass tourism, providing a raw, pure travel experience. Don’t expect luxury, but do expect an unforgettable adventure.
Independent travel on Socotra is not permitted and realistically impossible due to limited infrastructure. All travellers move around the island with a local guide, driver, and 4×4 vehicle. We organise both small group tours and tailor-made private tours.
When to Visit Socotra?
The best time to visit Socotra is between October and April, when weather conditions allow safe travel across the island. During the monsoon season (roughly May to September), strong winds and rough seas make many highlights inaccessible. For the upcoming travel season, flights are expected to operate from February until April 2026 and from October 2026 until April 2027, with limited weekly capacity. Because flight availability is restricted, flexibility with dates is essential.
How to plan a trip to Socotra?
Planning a trip here is not easy, but don’t worry – we are here to help. Since flights cannot be booked online independently, we handle all arrangements for you. Thanks to our extensive local contacts, we arrange your flights, visa, accommodations, driver, and guides on-site.
Current flight options to Socotra
In previous seasons, direct flights from Abu Dhabi were one of the main ways to reach Socotra. For the 2026–2027 travel season, this route is not operating. As a result, travel to Socotra currently takes place via alternative routes, outlined below. If you come across older information mentioning direct UAE flights, please note that this applies to earlier seasons.
1. Direct Flight via Jeddah
At the moment, the most easy way to reach Socotra is via Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with Yemen Airways operating one weekly direct flight.
- Price: $950 return
- Frequency: once per week (see below for the flight schedule)
- Baggage: checked luggage included
Because weekly capacity is limited, seats tend to sell out quickly. If you choose this option, you will need to apply for a Saudi e-visa, which is quite easy to arrange online. Jeddah is easily accessible from Europe and Gulf countries. And while you’re in Jeddah, the old city center is definitely worth a visit!
Flight schedule Jeddah – Socotra :
- Every Tuesday: Jeddah (11:00 AM) → Socotra (2:30 PM)
- Every Monday: Socotra (10:30 AM) → Jeddah (2:00 PM)
2. Flight via Cairo and Aden
Another option is flying from Cairo, Egypt, with a stopover in mainland Yemen (Aden and/or Mukalla), before continuing to Socotra. The Yemenia Airways round-trip ticket from Cairo to Socotra costs $1195 per person, and the booking is arranged by us. Good to know:
- This route requires an additional overnight stay in Aden.
- A Yemen visa is required (different from the Socotra island visa), which we can arrange for €200.
Practical Information for Socotra
Visa: When you book a tour with us, we arrange your Socotra visa for €200. This visa is valid only for Socotra and not for mainland Yemen. To apply, we need a copy of your passport. Upon arrival on Socotra, you will receive the original visa and a stamp in your passport at customs. If you are flying via Jedda, Saudi Arabia, a separate Saudi e-visa is required. Which you can apply for online yourself, which is quite easy to arrange.
Safety: Socotra island is safe to explore. There is a significant difference in safety between mainland Yemen and Socotra. While parts of mainland Yemen are unstable, Socotra is largely unaffected by conflicts. Socotra residents speak of mainland issues with sadness, but consider themselves mostly independent from Yemen. Travel advisories often group Socotra with mainland Yemen, but the situation on the island is very different to that on the mainland. Security is managed by Saudi Arabia, with strong local oversight. Should conditions change, we will update you immediately.
Travel Insurance: Most countries have a negative travel advisory for Yemen, including Socotra. You need insurance that covers this, such as policies via IATI.
Money: There are no ATMs on Socotra. US Dollars are widely used and easily exchanged, so make sure to bring enough with you. Euros are most of the times not accepted, so US Dollars are preferable.
Internet: Don’t expect fast or stable internet. Hotels generally offer limited Wi-Fi, enough for messaging apps like WhatsApp. So enjoy some offline time on the beautiful island!
Our group tours and private tours
Ready to explore this one-of-a-kind destination? We organise tailor-made private trips and group tours perfectly aligned with the flight schedules. Whether you prefer a personalised, peaceful journey or the camaraderie of a small group, we have you covered.
- 7-day small group tours, aligned with flight schedules
- Private tailor-made journeys across the island
Due to limited flight availability, early booking is strongly recommended.
Interested in travelling to Socotra in 2026–2027? Get in touch with us for current availability, tour dates, and personalised advice.
Contact us here or in the form below for more information or to book your Socotra travel experience. Don’t wait: Socotra is ready for true explorers like you!