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Unveiling the Mysteries of Socotra’s Night Sky: A Photographer’s Journey

May 20, 2023 by Benjamin Barakat Add Comment

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shooting the night skies in Socotra - title

“A Celestial and Botanical Wonder” – As an avid photographer and nature enthusiast, I had the opportunity to visit Socotra Island on my latest photography tour. Socotra is a remote island off the coast of Yemen, where I captured some breathtaking images. Those include the island’s unique flora and fauna, including its famous bottle trees and dragon trees.

In addition to the island’s remarkable plant life, I was also struck by the beauty of the night sky. Far from the light pollution of civilization, the sky over Socotra Island is a canvas of stars and galaxies, providing an awe-inspiring backdrop for my photographs.

If you’re unfamiliar with the island of Socotra, let me briefly introduce its location and how I stumbled upon this hidden paradise.

Nestled in the depths of the Arabian Sea lies an archipelago unlike any other – Socotra. This group of islands belongs to Yemen and is shrouded in a veil of mystery. Located approximately 240 kilometers (150 miles) east of the Horn of Africa and 380 kilometers (240 miles) south of the Arabian Peninsula, Socotra is home to the largest island in the archipelago – Socotra Island.

What makes Socotra so enchanting is its unique and diverse ecosystem. It is home to an array of plant and animal species found nowhere else on Earth. These endemic species have evolved over thousands of years, making Socotra an ecological marvel. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Socotra has become a mecca for adventure-seekers and nature enthusiasts.

But what makes this archipelago so alluring is its natural beauty and the secrets hidden within its rugged terrain. The locals believe Socotra was once a part of the fabled land of Atlantis, lost to the ages. Others believe the island holds ancient relics and mysterious artifacts that date back to a long-forgotten time.

So, if you’re looking for an adventure that will take you to the ends of the Earth and unlock the secrets of an ancient land, Socotra is your destination. Come and explore the untamed wilderness and immerse yourself in a world of wonder and mystery.

shooting the night skies in Socotra - sky and tree
shooting the night skies in Socotra - skies
shooting the night skies in Socotra - boat

As an avid enthusiast of the night sky and astrophotography, I’m constantly on the lookout for the darkest skies, searching for beautiful locations that offer stunning compositions with the starry night far away from civilization and city lights. That’s where the light pollution map comes in handy, providing me with valuable information on the levels of light pollution in different areas worldwide, allowing me to identify and plan trips to the most pristine and photogenic locations.

How I discovered Socotra

The light pollution map is a tool that displays the levels of light pollution in different areas worldwide. It is created using data from various sources and provides valuable information to astronomers, photographers, and others who require dark skies for their work or activities. The map helps people identify areas with minimal light pollution, which helps preserve the beauty of the night sky and minimizes the impact of artificial light on the environment.

While browsing the light pollution map, I stumbled upon a tiny island called Socotra. I was amazed that it had close to zero light pollution, making it one of the darkest skies in the world. Intrigued, I delved deeper and discovered that this island was home to unique flora, such as bottle trees and dragon trees, found nowhere else on Earth. That’s when I knew that Socotra would be the perfect destination for one of my expeditions.

shooting the night skies in Socotra - shore
shooting the night skies in Socotra - night skies

Not only is Socotra an exceptional location for photography, but its beaches are some of the cleanest I’ve ever witnessed. The crystal-clear blue sea, white sand, and dolphins swimming within meters of the shore make it a true paradise. This hidden gem is truly a marvel, with its alien-looking botanical life and pristine natural surroundings. It’s only a matter of time before Socotra will capture the imaginations of adventurers, nature enthusiasts, and photographers alike.

Safety in Socotra

The question arises: why isn’t Socotra on everyone’s bucket list, and why have so few people ever heard of it? When I asked many people about it, they had never even heard of this place called Socotra. And when I mentioned that it’s an island belonging to Yemen, most people’s reactions were biased, as they talked about war and perceived it as a dangerous destination.

Socotra is generally considered a safe destination for travelers, with no history of war or conflict on the island. The Yemeni government has taken measures to ensure the safety of visitors. Also, the island’s remote location and low population density make it less prone to crime and violence. While travelers should always take necessary precautions and research potential risks, Socotra offers a unique and rewarding destination for those seeking adventure and natural beauty.

shooting the night skies in Socotra - bottle tree
shooting the night skies in Socotra - bottle tree

Overall, based on my personal experience on the island and the feedback from those who joined me on my first expedition, I have never met such friendly and welcoming people. The hospitality was outstanding, and I felt safe at all times. The locals were open-minded and accommodating to our photography trip, which consisted of sunset, sunrise, and night photography. This made it even more strenuous for the drivers, especially during Ramadan when they were fasting. Despite all the obstacles, they made all our wishes possible.

The Obstacles of Getting to Socotra

Socotra is not a destination you can simply look up online and book a flight to. In fact, it doesn’t even show up in most online booking systems. There is only one chartered flight per week that flies from Abu Dhabi Airport to Socotra, and you must book through one of the tour agencies that operate on the island to secure a spot. This involves transferring your payment to the agency and putting your flight and visa application on hold. Once the flight schedule is confirmed, the agencies will negotiate with each other to secure tickets for their clients. However, not everyone is guaranteed a spot, so consider yourself lucky if you manage to get one.

Another obstacle is that only 800 tourist visas are issued annually for Socotra, and the agencies must negotiate with the government to obtain them. If you manage to secure a flight ticket, your chances of getting a visa are higher but not guaranteed. Additionally, if you have an Iranian or Israeli passport, you will not be granted entry into the Republic of Yemen or Socotra, unfortunately. Even having stamps from these countries in your passport can be an issue, so check with the agency you plan to use before booking.

shooting the night skies in Socotra - night skies
shooting the night skies in Socotra - night skies

Finally, if you plan on traveling to the United States after visiting Socotra, having a Yemeni stamp on your passport could cause complications with obtaining a tourist visa. However, my passport was not stamped during my visit, and I was issued a paper visa instead. Nonetheless, I cannot guarantee that this will always be the case.

Accomodation in Socotra

When visiting Socotra, a few hotels are available on the island, but they are typically rated only one star. However, there are better options than hotels for exploring the island’s highlights as it requires 2-5 hours of driving to reach them. Also, tourists are not allowed to drive on the island, so hiring a tour provider to transport you is necessary. Unfortunately, there’s no public transport available on the island. The best way to explore and enjoy Socotra is by camping at each of the highlighted destinations, which is the norm for visitors. All tour agencies on the island provide camping gear, and the linen, pillows, and mattresses are usually very clean.

Food in Socotra

In Socotra, the local cuisine mainly revolves around fish and rice, a staple for most locals. However, during my visit, I was lucky enough to try some of their goat dishes, which were delicious and tender. If you’re a vegetarian, don’t worry, as plenty of vegetarian options are available too. The tour agencies offered various meals and snacks during the camping trip, and the food was always fresh and tasty. Plus, the locals are always happy to share their culinary traditions with tourists. We also went on a cave tour with a local fisherman named Abdul, who lives there. We tried raw fish that was freshly caught from the ocean, and I have to say, it was delicious, even though I don’t usually eat raw fish.

shooting the night skies in Socotra - night skies
shooting the night skies in Socotra - bottle tree

Socotra: Where Photography Meets Paradise

I don’t even know where to begin with Socotra; the island is a photographer’s paradise! I was amazed by the sheer number of plant species I had never seen before in my travels. The bioluminescence was also a highlight, which I was unaware of before visiting the island. And let’s not forget about the vultures! We had many close encounters with them, and I even had one perched on my shoulder while enjoying lunch. Wildlife photography here is a breeze!

The mountains and landscapes are already breathtaking without the bottle and dragon trees. The island is full of life with different layers, shapes, textures, and colors. The weather on this small island can change rapidly, but this adds to the beauty of Socotra. We were lucky to witness insane clouds and beautiful colors during every sunset and sunrise, and when night fell, the skies cleared up, giving us an unobstructed view of the Milky Way.

shooting the night skies in Socotra - night skies
shooting the night skies in Socotra - night skies

If you’re planning a visit, I recommend avoiding the months from June to September. The heat is intense heat and cyclone season is on. The best time to visit is during February and March when the Dragon and Bottle trees are in full bloom. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed!

Where stars are born: The dark and wondrous sky of Socotra.

I have had the privilege of traveling to some of the darkest skies around the world, including Wadi Rum in Jordan, the White Desert in Egypt, Lut Desert in Iran, La Palma in the Canary Islands, the Atacama Desert in Chile, and the Altiplano in Bolivia. However, none of these locations could prepare me for the incomparable darkness of the Socotra night sky. It truly is a remarkable sight that will leave you feeling like you’ve been transported to another planet. The unique landscape only adds to the surreal experience. In fact, I measured the light pollution with my SQM reader. 21.88 was the highest reading I got. Socotra is an absolute must-visit destination if you’re a stargazer or Astrophotographer.

shooting the night skies in Socotra - night skies
shooting the night skies in Socotra - night skies

Ultimately

Socotra is a place that genuinely left me awestruck, and even my fellow travelers on the tour were amazed beyond their expectations. I was so impressed that I decided to make it one of my signature destinations, with plans to lead tours there a few times each year. As a photography teacher who loves to take other photographers to unique and beautiful locations across the globe, Socotra should be on everyone’s bucket list.

shooting the night skies in Socotra - night skies

This hidden gem is hard to imagine; it has so much natural beauty on a tiny island. Imagine swimming with hundreds of dolphins just meters away from the beach. Or imagine being escorted by them to the magnificent Firham forest, where thousands of Dragon trees still stand tall as endangered plant life. Every moment on Socotra is a unique experience that will take your breath away. And that’s not all! Witness the stunning bioluminescence as you swim around, or simply marvel at the otherworldly pink flowers of the Bottle Trees.

Socotra truly has everything to offer, whether you’re a photographer or not. Don’t miss out on this awe-inspiring destination! For more details, please visit my website. Alternatively, don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions, and I would be happy to answer them.

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Filed Under: Inspiration Tagged With: Astrophotography, light pollution, Socotra, Yamen

Benjamin Barakat: from diyphotography.net

About Benjamin Barakat

Benjamin Barakat is an astrophotographer who hosts seminars, workshops & photography expeditions internationally worldwide. He is based out of Switzerland, where he is also a researcher at the highest observatory in Europe, the Sphinx Observatory on top of Jungfraujoch, 3571 meters above sea level. His work has been featured by National Geographic, CNN, BBC, Forbes, Guardian, Vice, and many more.

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