Qalansiyah Beach

Socotra Island, Yemen

Coordinates: 12.691567, 53.484212

Nearby Places

• Detwah Lagoon 2.71 Km NE (41°)
• Shoab Beach 15.29 Km SW (216°)
• Socotra Airport 46.44 Km E (98°)

Qalansiyah is the encapsulation of every cliche of paradise that you could possibly imagine. Sand dunes of the finest white powder climb like snowy hills up from the beach, which is also sprinkled with white sand so lush it is as if you are having your feet massaged. To top it off, mostly you will have the beach entirely to yourself.

The beach is a long sand bar of fine white sand and a bunch of adorable crabs. This sandbar reaches over a lagoon where you can watch seawater spill into at high tide. There are loads of curious creatures in this mini-ecosystem. The Seawater is crystal clear in shades of blue and turquoise. There is a rock overlook that should be climbed for the most sweeping view over it all.

The snorkelling at Qalansiyah is among the best in the world. You’ll see turtles, manta rays, eagle rays, giant groupers, white tip reef sharks, a blue shark, tons of fish but best of all 100’s of dolphins. It’s like they’re talking to you directly when you snorkel with them.

The water temperature is so comfortable to swim and float in. There is no coral or seaweed here, so it’s also easy to walk right in with bare feet. An added bonus of this special place is that mostly you’ll find little to no people there.

If you’re on the island, make sure to spend at least one night around Qalansiyah. It’s a beautiful town with a fantastic laguna just next to it. The water is crystal clear, and you can ask one of the fishermen to take you to a remote beach nearby.

Don’t confuse it with Detwah lagoon where the camping site is, you have to go around the hill towards the west, and then you will come to the beginning of the beach.

The is a small rocky hill on the left of the campsite which has stunning panoramic views of the beach and Detwa lagoon. Also, it has toilet and shower facilities just watch out for crabs, vultures and goats at night.

Know This

There is no shade on the sandbar so load up on water and sunscreen before you head out as it’s a bit of a walk to reaccess vehicles and gear.

Be careful if you decide to take a swim there. This paradise is full with sea creatures including stingrays, pufferfish, eagle rays as well as more innocent species like crabs, sea stars, cuttlefish, sea cucumbers and others, and some of them should better be avoided stepping on.