Socotra - Docking
Docking:
The harbor is protected from winds and waves from the north-east, which predominate during the winter season. During the southwest monsoon (from early June to early September) the port area does suffer from strong gusty winds from all directions.
The UAE have upgraded the port and yachts can now moor up to the pier.
Anchorages:
North Coast:
Position: 12° 40″50′ N 54°04″ 42′ E. – Approximately 6nm East of Hadibo.
To get to the anchorage, you will need to pass numerous cargo and fishing boats at anchor. Good holding in 5-7m with a sand bottom just west of the pier. This will keep you out of the way of small trade ships coming alongside the pier.
During the southwest monsoon the north shore of Socotra experiences strong offshore winds from the mountains. The port area gets very strong and gusty winds from all directions making anchoring here not tenable.
Dinghy Docks: Dinghies can land on a small beach near the western base of the pier.
South Coast – Delisha:
Position: 12°41′20″N, 54°08′20″E
During the southwest monsoon (from early June to early September) this is the only acceptable place for anchoring. This anchorage is located in front of a camp site and is very protected.
Last updated: June 2023
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Port Navigation
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Socotra report March 2024 from Renaissance III:
Sailing from Maldives 1200 nm to Socotra took 7 days and we contacted Yasser at I am Socotra ship agency, WhatsApp +967777655566. Check in was simple and hassle free, anchorage was 400m west of the port jetty in 5 meters with a good holding sand bottom position N12 40.780 E54 4.649. Cost of visa 150USD each POB going ashore. We also took a 2 day camping trip to the Dragon Blood Tree forest and the lagoon. Worth every cent. Getting fuel was possible but expensive, food was cheaper as there are small grocery stores and a fresh market 20 mins from the Port. This is not Yemen, the locals were friendly and the island is super safe. Worth a stop and a tour. Yasser arraigned a local guy to watch the boat and run the genset daily for our fridges and batteries.
Report from Denis Romanov of Socotra Tamam Agency – December 2018:
Last year, some yachtsmen who stopped at Socotra faced certain difficulties. Some of them were not allowed to go ashore. This was due to the presence on the island of soldiers from the Emirates and the tightening of the security regime.
This year, with the advent of the new governor and the withdrawal of the military from the Emirates from the island, the situation has changed for the better. All papers are issued to yachtsmen and tourist visas are issued for those who want to see the island.
However, some confusion remains with different authorities. The bad news is that clearance in Socotra has become more expensive. Now we have to pay extra money to two authorities – the coast guard and the security service.
Additional payment is about $115. Thus, the total amount of clearance on Socotra (including agency fees) is $345 now. A tourist visa costs $100 per person, which allows you to travel around Socotra without any problems accompanied by a local guide.
The boat Formidable 3, which made a short stop at Socotra in early December for fueling, watering and buying food, was the first to be faced with new requisitions from the security service and the coast guard.
We hope that the new government of Socotra soon sorted out with unauthorized extortion by security forces in the future the cost of registration of yachts will be as before.
It is possible that in this case it was the payment for urgency (yacht wanted to stay on Socotra only one day), and in the future we can avoid these costs, but the sailors, who plan to stay on Socotra, should be ready for such unplanned spending.
In any case, we will try to minimize your expenses on Socotra.
Hi
Interested in visiting Socotra for a few days in August, on the way from Seychelles to Maldives, what is the current security situation at the moment, thank you