The Caves of Socotra

During your exploration of Socotra, you can also discover many caves due to the abundance of limestone.

The majority of the cave systems are composed of smaller overhangs and tunnels but some of the caves will surprise you with their size.One of these systems is the largest cave Hoq (Al-Hoq), which is 3 kilometres long.

It is located in the precipice in the northeastern part of Socotra. The great granite wall towers over the shores of the island.

The ascent takes approximately 2 hours and is quite an adventure itself. On the way, you can observe various kinds of succulents and other plants, which will remind you of the long lost days. The reward for the 2-hour ascent is a stunning view of the azure sea.

There are no lights, footpaths or handrails inside the cave. It is dark and cold inside because the cave is still untouched by human hand. So it is necessary to bring your own light.  The exploration of Hog is another amazing experience and the cave is definitely worth a visit.

The limestone formations in the cave are breathtaking and recent archaeological findings suggest that the cave played a crucial role in the history of the island. The main tunnel is very long and quite high in the beginning. The prominent formation is a stalagmite that towers over a lake at (what is believed to be) the end of the cave.

 

Another cave, Dagub, is located on the southern shore, behind the Hayf and Zahaq dunes. This cave can be easily reached by car. At the entrance, you will find the most valuable liquid of the southern part of the island – pure water. Due to the presence of water, the cave is the habitat of many different animals, especially bats and swifts.