An extraordinary natural world between Arabia and Africa — remote, protected, and strictly limited.
An Expedition to the Indian Ocean’s Last Frontier
Suspended between Arabia and Africa, the island of Socotra rises from the Indian Ocean like a mirage — a world apart, shaped by monsoon winds and time itself. Socotra: Arabia’s Lost Archipelago is a rare expedition through a place often described as the “Galápagos of the Indian Ocean,” where dragon’s blood trees crown misty plateaus and untouched coral reefs circle endless beaches of white sand. This 12-day voyage blends oceanic adventure with scientific curiosity and deep natural wonder. Days are spent diving with manta rays and trekking through surreal landscapes of bottle trees and dunes; evenings are quiet, firelit, and filled with the hum of the trade winds. It is remote, elemental, and unforgettable — a true journey to the edge of the known world.
Day 1 – Hadibo Embarkation (Socotra)
Arrive by charter flight and board your yacht anchored off Hadibo. After introductions and safety briefing, set out for a short coastal cruise along Socotra’s northern shoreline. Evening at anchor near Dihamri Bay with welcome dinner beneath a Milky Way sky.
Day 2 – Dihamri Marine Reserve
Dive or snorkel at Dihamri’s pristine reefs, where parrotfish, butterflyfish, and turtles glide over coral gardens. Join your naturalist for an onboard talk about Socotra’s isolation and the evolution of its unique species. Afternoon at leisure; dinner features locally caught tuna with citrus and sumac.
Day 3 – Arher Dunes & Freshwater Springs
Tender ashore to Arher’s vast white dunes at the meeting point of river and sea. Climb for sweeping views of the headlands, then cool off in the freshwater spring that bubbles directly onto the beach. Sunset cocktails on deck as the cliffs glow crimson.
Day 4 – Ras Erissel & Qalansiyah Bay
Sail around the island’s eastern cape, Ras Erissel, where the Arabian and Indian Oceans converge. Dolphins often escort the yacht through the current line. Continue west to Qalansiyah Bay, anchoring off one of the most beautiful beaches in the Indian Ocean.
Day 5 – Detwah Lagoon
Explore Detwah Lagoon, a UNESCO-protected wetland of luminous shallows. Join a local fisherman for a guided walk through seagrass channels and observe stingrays in knee-deep water. Afternoon beach picnic with fresh coconuts and local seafood.
Day 6 – Shuaab Bay
Cruise west along dramatic limestone cliffs to Shuaab Bay (≈25 nm). Dive among coral slopes frequented by green turtles and moray eels, or kayak through mangrove creeks alive with wading birds. Evening barbecue on the beach with the crew.
Day 7 – Diksam Plateau & Dragon’s Blood Trees
Disembark early for a guided 4x4 transfer inland to Diksam Plateau. Trek among Socotra’s iconic dragon’s blood trees — their crimson sap once prized as a dye and medicine. Visit a highland village and learn about traditional beekeeping before returning to the yacht by evening.
Day 8 – Abd al-Kuri Island
Set a southeasterly course across open water (≈60 nm) to Abd al-Kuri, a wild outer island rarely visited. Anchor in calm blue water beneath volcanic ridges. Dive or snorkel reefs teeming with surgeonfish and rays; the night sky here is among the clearest on Earth.
Day 9 – Outer Reefs & Deepwater Channels
A day devoted to exploration — dive deep channels between the islands with your marine biologist, or explore uncharted lagoons by tender. Photograph sea cliffs rising straight from indigo water. Dinner under the open sky as trade winds whisper across the deck.
Day 10 – Return Passage to Socotra Main Island
An early sail eastward with dolphins along the bow. Lunch on deck mid-passage. Arrive to anchor near Qadama Beach for a final swim among coral bommies in translucent water.
Day 11 – Coastal Anchorages & Farewell Dinner
Slow cruise along Socotra’s northern coast, visiting hidden coves and fishing hamlets. The chef prepares a farewell tasting menu celebrating island ingredients — lobster, honey, and coconut. Lanterns flicker across the deck as the wind drops away.
Day 12 – Disembarkation at Hadibo
Breakfast on deck before transfers ashore for charter flight departure. Farewells with the crew and final views of the island’s mountains fading into morning haze.
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