faqs

Where and what is Socotra?

Socotra is one of the planet’s most isolated landforms. Unlike the Galapagos, it’s not a volcanic island. Like Madagascar, Socotra was detached from Africa, as continents shifted many millions of years ago..
The island is located 380 kilometres south of the Arabian Peninsula and 240 kilometres east of Somalia, in the Indian Ocean..
Officially and politically it’s part of Yemen, although it’s quite distinct from Yemen culturally and historically..
Despite its natural riches, Socotra has remained incredibly isolated and undeveloped, even in 2024. Access to the island has been both a blessing and a challenge.

Socotra is one of our planet’s most significant and preserved natural habitats. It’s like an ancient Garden of Eden.:

The island has over 300 endemic plant species, most famously Dracaena cinnabari, the Socotran dragon blood tree.
Almost all the wildlife is rare. Like the thousands of Egyptian vultures that rule the skies. Or the island’s many reptile species, 90% of which are endemic.
Unique biogeographical influences have created an incredibly rich marine ecosystem of over 250 reef-building corals and 730 species of fish. In a place that hasn’t been overfished.
White beaches fringe most of the island while granite and limestone mountains dominate the interior, hiding oases and wadis..
People do live here and the island’s inhabitants have developed their own customs and traditions, distinct from anything on the mainland.
It’s a destination for an active, adventure holiday, with plenty of relaxation in nature and on beaches too.

An Indian Ocean island with pearly white beaches, beautiful marine life and mountainous adventures? Socotra isn’t unique in that.
يIt was rare natural beauty that helped tourism develop on other Indian Ocean islands, islands like Mauritius that now receive millions of annual visitors.

We seek authenticity and the opportunity for our clients to discover places that are truly undiscovered. For example, at the end of 2023, EliteVoyage’s Stepan Borovec was part of a project developing tourism by private jet to Japan’s Izu Islands. In 2024 one of our clients went there.
In 2025 we want to be even bolder in helping our clients experience new and unknown destinations.