Diving
Red Sea and Socotra are Yemeni diving hotspots. There are five main diving locations in Socotra: Dihamri Marine Protected Area with more than 80 kinds of corals and 150 fish species, Rosh Marine Protected Area with a reef drop off about 1 km from the coast, Adho with deep dives, and the eastern tip of the island called Ras Irsil and western Shouab coast both with shipwrecks.
In general the under water world around Socotra is amazing and just invite you to explore depths by diving or snorkeling. Here the sceneries are characterized by endemic species from the coral reef; rocks and also sends can lodge surprising colorful fishes, crustaceans, shellfishes, mollusks and algae. Socotra island is home to more than 680 species of fish and about 230 species of hard corals (five are endemic) and 30 species of soft corals. In addition to 300 species of crustacean (nine are endemic), 490 species of mollusks, and 230 species of algae. Crystal clear waters and the likelihood of viewing species like barracudas, monkfish, dolphins, rays and even mantas are the main reasons why lovers of this sport consider the island of Socotra more and more for their diving holidays.
Snorkeling is possible everywhere apart from draught places.
The dives are mainly on sand flats, at about 60 feet, covered with coral heads. Being relatively undived the coral condition is superb with an incredible amount of fish life – nurse and white tipped sharks, skates, rays, eels, turtles and schools and schools of fish. Also in the Shoub site you will visit some wrecks often just covered in blankets of fish. Drift dives no buoys. Visibility is still fine at around 50 feet.
Socotra is devoted to eco-tourism and scuba-diving is just an emerging activity, that not so many people know. Basic equipment for all diving location can be hired on the island. A limited amount of spare equipment is available for renting (diving computer, wetsuit, BCD, gloves & booties, tank, fins, snorkel, mask, weights, regulator, fill up tank…). Some customer used their own 5 mm wetsuits.
The Socotra diving and snorkeling spots:
Dihamri: there are 5 diving sites. The underwater relief is very interesting with a mountain. This is the place with deepest dives up to 50 meters. Dives during Night are possible there.
Adho: there are 2 diving sites with dives up to 30 meters.
Rosh: Marine Protected Area with a reef drop off about 1 km from the coast, there is one big diing site with dives between 10 and 15 meters. Night dives are possible there.
Ras Irsil: there are 7 diving sites with numerous shipwrecks. The ships sank due to an underwater mountain. The shipwrecks are up to 50 years old and it is possible to enter them. Ras Irsil has been pronounced a Protected Area.
Shouab: there is a single diving site with a shipwreck. It is a steel ship, the biggest shipwreck in Socotra waters.
Erissel: There are 7 diving spots with numerous shipwrecks. The ships sank due to an underwater mountain. The shipwrecks are up to 50 years old and it is possible to enter them. Erissel has been recognized as a protected area.
There is a diving center in Dihamri eco-campsite. The center is managed by a professional diving instructor who got his training from the UNDP Socotra Conservation and Development Programme during the period 2003-2009. At Dihamri Diving Center you can hire equipment for all diving locations on Socotra. People without PADI course can go for an adventure dive up to 10 meters.
The best recommend time for diving is March – April when the sea waves are very calm and the water is crystal clear with wonderful visibility.
