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The Wonder Has a Name

DELISHA

It’s attractive, it’s a convenient 30-minute drive east from Hadiboh, and it’s great for a recuperative dip when you’ve just arrived. The good former ecolodge has closed but basic camping is still possible. Plus, there’s an impressive giant sand dune which the energetic can climb and slide down. The claim that it was called Delisha because someone exclaimed “it’s delicious!” might be a touch fanciful, however. Ernst Haeckel (1834-1919), the exhaustingly prolific German biologist, naturalist, evolutionist, artist, philosopher and doctor who spent his life researching and illustrating flora and fauna, sailed past the northers coast on 18 May 1882: his highly stylised painting of a sand dune with the same date is most probably Delisha.
He describes ‘the picturesque coast of Socotra, where the ravines are marked by immense fields of snow white sand, looking like glaciers sloping to the sea’. Nearby Delisha village has an important archaeological site.

HOMHIL PLATEAU (NATURE SANCTUARY)

Within the Conservation Zoning Plan, Homhil is classed as a Nature Sanctuary, which allows it the highest level of protection. It is included in all visitors’ itineraries, for its dragon’s blood trees, bottles trees and the beautiful ‘infinity pool’ as we called it. You have the choice of either driving there or walking, depending on the time available and the fitness (and age) of your group.

THE POOLS OF KILLISAN

Don’t miss the chance to swim in the deep pools that collect in Socotra’s wadis (ravines). Wadi Dirhur, which divides Diksam plateau and Firmihin Forest, is on most itineraries. Wadi Killisan is harder to reach, but is hugely rewarding. This spectacular place belongs geographically more to the south but can also be accessed via the Momi plateau and – for those with strong legs and plenty of time – from Homhil, so is included here. It is one of Socotra’s hidden wonders and you need to be a good hiker to get there, but all reports are that it’s absolutely worth it for the series of turquoise pools of water, fed by small waterfalls, set in smooth, white limestone.

Dihamri Marine Protected Area

Within Socotra’s Conservation Zoning Plan Dihamri is classed as a Marine Nature Sanctuary, as is Rosh, which theoretically affords them the highest level of protection. Dihamri is home to one of the richest coral reefs in the archipelago so, if the weather is calm, this is a great place for snorkelling. Chris writes ‘Excellent snorkelling opportunities straight off the beach. In December there was 15-20m visibility, lots of corals and colourful fish, plus a chance of seeing turtles, reef sharks, huge leopard moray eels, octopus, crayfish, various rays, barracuda, scorpion fish, as well as dolphins further out sea’. At the eastern end of the beach is an extraordinary orange-coloured [pyramid-shaped rock, and it’s reported that the snorkelling is best around this rock. If it’s too rough to snorkel, Dihamri beach is richly rewarding with its carpets of coral fragments and shells. There is a campsite (no facilities) at the western end.

HOQ CAVE

Socotra has been described as ‘like a Swiss cheese’ because of all the holes andcaves in its limestone. Hoq is a wonderful amalgamation of the standard cave delights of stalagmites and stalactites, with a rich history of early habitation to spike the imagination. This cave is one of Socotra’s most important archaeological sites and traces the arrival of visitors to Socotra from the 1st century BC up until the 6th century AD. Throughout Hoq Cave archaeologists have recorded a series of inscriptions,
pictograms and artefacts, and at the entrance are examples of some of the later medieval structures and water basins.The cave is believed to have been a religious sanctuary for mariners visiting the island who wrote their names in Indian Brahmi, South Arabian, Palymyrene and Bactrian scripts. These scripts were drawn using mud or charcoal and as such are extremely fragile and sensitive to the change that even a single visitor can bring. To prevent these scripts from being damaged and to preserve them for future generations we ask that all visitors to Hoq Cave do not progress beyond the marked area and refrain from smoking in the cave.

WADI DIRHUR

Also known as the Diksam Gorge, this place seems as though a giant has pulled a huge slab of soft limestone apart like a hunk of cheese, and then poured cool, clear water down the crack specifically for the delight of visitors. Mostly visitors will be looking down at the canyon, all 700m of it, and using its drama as a backdrop to their photos, but a dirt road crosses it at one point and this gives access to some gorgeous crab-filled paddling and swimming pools. Don’t miss the chance to swim in the deep pools that collect in Socotra’s wadis (ravines). Wadi Dirhur, which divides Diksam plateau and Firmihim Forest, is on most itineraries. Wadi Killisan is harder to reach, but is hugely rewarding.

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I went to Socotra in 2017 when they didn’t have a social media page and it was an amazing experience that I will remember for a lifetime. It was a business trip and these days of break on the island were an immersion in uncontaminated nature and the beauty of a timeless place. Don’t hesitate to rely on them to discover the area and get to know the most remote places of Socotra.

Sono stata a Socotra nel 2017 quando ancora non avevano una pagina social ed è stata un’esperienza fantastica che ricorderò per tutta la vita. Si trattava di un viaggio di lavoro e questi giorni di pausa nell’isola sono stati un’immersione nella natura incontaminata e nelle bellezze di un luogo fuori dal tempo. Non esitate ad affidarvi a loro per scoprire il territorio e conoscere i luoghi più remoti di Socotra.

Mondo Capovolto

Perfect camping tour, beautiful spots, good food. Sammy the guide was very helpful and informative. All the recommendations!

Ozirisizi

Mubarak has become a dear friend, while guiding us in Socotra. He is the man to make you feel at home in such an insane island of absolute beauty and light. Not only did we enjoy the nature and got in touch with the locals, we also got closer to the culture and its myths. Socotra is the definite destination for a time of adventure off the beaten track!🫶

Aliki Anastasopoulou

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Top Destinations

The Wonder Has a Name

DELISHA

HOMHIL PLATEAU (NATURE SANCTUARY)

THE POOLS OF KILLISAN

Dihamri Marine Protected Area

HOQ CAVE

WADI DIRHUR

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