By Arianna Kaplan
Socotra Island is home to some of the most jaw-dropping ecological wonders on Earth, but its location in Yemen drives tourists away.
An aerial view of dragon's blood trees against a mountain backdrop in Socotra. Matteo Milan. Pexels.
Socotra Island lies off Yemen’s southern coast between the Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa. It is nicknamed both “the Galapagos of the Indian Ocean,” one of the most botanically diverse islands in the world, and “the most alien place on Earth” because of its unusual flora, fauna and staggeringly beautiful landscape.
Socotra Island is part of the Socotra Archipelago, along with its neighboring islands of Abd Al-Kuri, Samha and Darsa. The archipelago is staggeringly beautiful, and Socotra boasts three topographical zones: the coastal plains, a limestone plateau and the Hagghier Mountains. Visitors can see elaborate networks of gigantic caves with crystal pools and stalactites, walk white-sand beaches overlooking crystal-clear waters in lagoons and along the shores, snorkel and dive among vibrant coral reefs and, most famously, see its endemic species such as the dragon's blood tree.
The endemic Socotran Cormorant. Antonio Lorenzana Bermejo. Pexels.
Socotra is best known for its level of endemic species. One third of its plant species, 90% of its reptile species and 95% of its land snail species are found nowhere else; hence why UNESCO designated the Socotra Archipelago as a World Heritage Site in 2008.
However, its connection to Yemen, which currently holds a Level 4 (out of 4) Do Not Travel Advisory from the U.S. Department of State, discourages many visitors from going. Yemen is currently a Level 4 due to terrorism, civil unrest and health risks, which, on paper, includes Socotra Island.
In November 1967, Socotra became part of South Yemen, now the Republic of Yemen, a country which, since 2014, has been in a state of civil war. In September of that year, Houthi rebel forces took over the capital city of Sanaa, and this escalated into a full-scale civil war by 2015. However, though the island is culturally and administratively a part of Yemen, it is geographically closer to Africa and is over 200 miles away from mainland Yemen. Still, tourism to Socotra is restricted to just a few airlines that fly out from the mainland, where many visitors are held back by fears of al-Qaeda and other threats to safety.
Before 1991, the Yemeni government restricted entry to Socotra, and so ecotourism to Socotra is a relatively recent development. Ecotourism began in the early 2000s as a cash-grab for the Yemeni economy, which is dependent for up to 80% of its revenue on a limited oil supply and has tried transitioning to tourism to provide a sustainable income source. The inhabitants of Socotra are friendly, welcoming and hospitable, and it is in the country’s best interests for visitors to come, which is at odds with the Level 4 travel advisory from the U.S. Department of State.
Once landed on the island, Socotra is known for its otherworldly beauty. It’s not surprising as to why: the island remained geographically isolated for millions of years, allowing its plants and animals to evolve into striking species found nowhere else. It also has retained religious, historic and spiritual significance. Since ancient times, Socotra has produced healing resins, including dragon's blood resin, gums, aloe, amber, musk, pearls, frankincense and myrrh and, as legend goes, may have even been a stop along the route of the ancient Kingdom of Sheba.
Along with its role in the Arabian Sea’s shipping industry, Socotra has functioned as a land of deep folklore, especially with its eerily beautiful dragon's blood tree, which looks like an upside-down open umbrella and “bleeds” a dark red resin when cut, which, allegedly, was used by gladiators before combat. Early Greek Christians even thought that Socotra could be the location of the Garden of Eden.
Notable places to visit in Socotra are Hoq Cave, which is a massive cave system that extends two miles with stalactites and stalagmites; the Homhil Protected Area, a nature reserve with forests of endemic dragon's blood and “bottle” trees, a limestone canyon and a cliffside natural infinity pool overlooking the Arabian Sea; and Wadi Kalisan, a series of deep freshwater pools and waterfalls with emerald-green water and the island’s largest natural freshwater swimming pool.
Travel to Socotra Island can only be booked through a licensed tour operator, and a specific Yemeni visa is required for tourists. There are also a limited number of airlines that offer tickets, and visitors must be part of a guided group.
Though the island is worth visiting for its natural beauty alone, travel to Socotra raises some ecotourism, environmental and geopolitical concerns due to its fragile ecosystem and Yemen’s complicated politics. The main city of Socotra, Hadibu, is very modest and lacks a proper waste management system. There is no recycling on the island, and garbage has infiltrated many of the once-pristine spots around the island. Limited funding for the Socotra Fund Office and the Environment Protection Authority contributes to the accumulation of garbage around the island, along with a lack of awareness among locals and disregard by tourists, threatening the delicate ecosystems on Socotra.
Despite this, the island still welcomes travelers; in fact, relies on them. It has its own language, its own geographic presence and its own place in history. Travel to Socotra offers an entirely unique travel experience, although the island might be at risk due to a lack of waste management and the danger of travel logistics through Yemen. However, if done safely, it seems worth visiting the most “alien place on Earth.”
Arianna Kaplan
Arianna is in her final year at Scripps College, part of the Claremont College consortium in the Los Angeles area. She writes in a variety of genres but most enjoys creative nonfiction and place-rooted narrative. Writing at Catalyst, along with The Student Life Newspaper offers a perfect outlet for her zest for life, and she's beyond excited to be here. In the future, she plans on pursuing a career in journalism.