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Socotra for sailors
Socotra for sailors

Socotra is absolutely calm and safe place. There are no pirates on Socotra. "Socotra Tamam" working as marine agent since 2014 when Socotra was reopened to sailors. Every year we receive about 30 yachts, most of which come to Socotra for refueling. We arrange all the necessary documents on Socotra, help you to fill the boat with water and fuel, buy food, do your laundry etc.

Sailing on Socotra Sea Port Development
Socotra from above, lagoon Detwah
Socotra from above, lagoon Detwah

Photo by Dmitry Pievtsov, a Ukrainian pilot who regularly works at Socotra

quadcopter photos detwah sea helicopter
Cyclone Mekunu passed next to Socotra - consequences
Cyclone Mekunu passed next to Socotra - consequences

On May 24-25, another powerful tropical cyclone passed through Socotra. About 19 people died, many houses and roads were destroyed. The Emirates began a company to help the island of Socotra.

events sea weather
Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation (UAE) inaugurates Hawlaf Port on Socotra (Yemen)
Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation (UAE) inaugurates Hawlaf Port on Socotra (Yemen)

The Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation (UAE) has inaugurated the Hawlaf Port in Socotra Governorate, Yemen. An official source from the Foundation stressed that, as per the directives of the wise leadership, it has launched many important development projects in Socotra, most notably Hawlaf Airport and Hawlaf Port, while adding that the enlargement of the port was completed in just over one year, which is a significant achievement. The port project included the enlargement of its berth by 110 metres, as well as the installing perimeter fences, lighting, pavements, and a mobile crane with a 100-tonne capacity.

development sea UAE on Socotra
How to get Socotra: 4 days on a cement boat
How to get Socotra: 4 days on a cement boat

"And then came the boat, it wasn’t exactly pristine, in fact it was downright shoddy. A run-down wooden Yemeni fishing boat semi-converted to carry 8,000 bags of cement to Socotra, Yemen. It barely looked sea-worthy. I would be lying if I wasn’t concerned that it could even make the 50 hour journey but at this stage I was so happy that all the paperwork had been processed I jumped on in a hurry."

Sea Events
Tritamam - outrigger sailing canoe with junk rig sail
Tritamam - outrigger sailing canoe with junk rig sail

I built this boat with my own hands from the old fiberglass canoe and scrap materials. Great for fishing and sailing along the shore. This is the only sailboat on Socotra.

Sea sailing on Socotra
Last boat on Socotra
Last boat on Socotra

60-foot catamaran with a Russian-Ukrainian crew came to Socotra. They were the first who visited Socotra in the season the south-east monsoon, which still strong now.

Sailing on Socotra Events Sea Tourism
More Sailors on Socotra
More Sailors on Socotra

Two more sailing boats have visited Socotra on their way to the Red Sea. German catamaran and Irish yacht spent on Socotra for about a week. It was a pleasure to meet interesting people, some of them live aboard for more than 10 years.

Sailing on Socotra Events Sea Tourism
Cruisers on Socotra
Cruisers on Socotra

Sailors is lucky people. Now they are the only ones who can come to Socotra and see our beautiful island. The rest are waiting until direct flight from Dubai starts.

Sailing on Socotra Events Sea Tourism
The second cyclone Megh passed directly over Socotra island
The second cyclone Megh passed directly over Socotra island

Socotra was hit again by the storm. A lot of destroyed houses all over the island. There are several dead. Half of our restaurant was destroyed. The ship carrying humanitarian aid ran aground during a storm.

weather sea events wind
Cyclone Chapala. Storms over Socotra - before and after
Cyclone Chapala. Storms over Socotra - before and after

Strong cyclone passed near Socotra. We had heavy rain, strong wind and big waves. Several photos taken before and after the storm.

weather sea events wind
Junk rig sail on Socotra island
Junk rig sail on Socotra island

We made a small sailing trimaran with junk rig sail for coastal trips around Socotra.

Sea sailing on Socotra
Sailing cruisers on Socotra
Sailing cruisers on Socotra

During February-March 2015 several sailing boats made a stop on Socotra.

Sailing on Socotra Sea Port Development
To the islands Samha, Darsa and abd-el-Kuri
To the islands Samha, Darsa and abd-el-Kuri

We visited the other islands of the archipelago of Socotra. These very beautiful places are not spoiled by civilization. White sand, beautiful reefs full of fish and nice people who live in uneasy conditions.

sea abd el Kuri Samha Darsa
Diving on Socotra archipelago
Diving on Socotra archipelago

A series of underwater photos taken during our diving expedition to the islands Darca, Samha and Abd el Kuri, a part of the archipelago of Socotra.

Diving sea abd el Kuri Samha Darsa
Sambuka - arabian boat Dhow used in the archipelago of Socotra
Sambuka - arabian boat Dhow used in the archipelago of Socotra

Sambuka - fiberglass analogue of classical Arabic fishing boat Dhow. Usually it is 'floating refrigerators' that buy fish from local fishermen on Socotra.

Sea Darsa Samha Abd el Kuri
Report of sailing yacht Delta
Report of sailing yacht Delta

Sailing boat "Delta" which is traveling around the world was the first boat coming to Socotra in recent years.

Sailing on Socotra Sea Port Development
Samha Island
Samha Island

These are people living on Samha Island.

Samha Attractions sea
Kuwait Fund will finance construction of Socotra’s new port
Kuwait Fund will finance construction of Socotra’s new port

The government of the Republic of Yemen and the Kuwait Fund of Arabic economic development have signed an agreement on provision of Yemen with a loan in support of the Socotra’s new port construction project for value of 11,8 million Kuwaiti dinar (about 41 million USA dollars).

Sea Port Development
Soviet military base has never been established in Socotra.