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When to go to Socotra!

Socotra Climate Pattern for Tourists Travel

There is no “wrong” time to visit Socotra: different times of the year have different things to see and do. The birds, marine life and dazzling wildlife are always there, waiting for their photos to be taken.

Its geographical location makes the temperature variation minimum through the year. October through April is best — especially March and April, when trees area blossoming and the sea are flat and ideal for snorkeling and diving. Avoid the windy monsoon season from May to September; nevertheless, these winds are strong enough to be a limitation for a surfing excursion.

In each season, diving conditions or the animal behavior will vary from month to month; for example, in December the birds migrate to the central islands because of cold temperatures. As the birds, many other animal behaviors will depend on the month of the year. The Socotra is a pulsating archipelago offering a diverse environment for animal mating and reproduction cycles, migration habits, as well as hatching conditions.

Detwan gio in cima alla duna

Fall Season: (September to November)

Fall Season Weather Forecast:

The fall at Socotra experiences essentially constant cloud cover, with the percentage of time that the sky is overcast or mostly cloudy remaining about 29% throughout the season. The lowest chance of overcast or mostly cloudy conditions is 26% on September 27, with clearmostly clear, or partly cloudy conditions 74% of the time.

Daily high temperatures decrease by 6°F, from 90°F to 84°F, rarely falling below 83°F or exceeding 92°F. The highest daily average high temperature is 90°F on September 5. And the daily low temperatures decrease by 4°F, from 79°F to 75°F, rarely falling below 74°F or exceeding 80°F.

The average sliding 31-day rainfall during the fall at Socotra is gradually increasing, starting the season at 0.0 inches, when it rarely exceeds 0.1 inches or falls below -0.0 inches, and ending the season at 0.4 inches, when it rarely exceeds 0.9 inches or falls below -0.0 inches.

wet day is one with at least 0.04 inches of liquid or liquid-equivalent precipitation. At Socotra, the chance of a wet day over the course of the fall is increasing, starting the season at 1% and ending it at 5%. For reference, the year’s highest daily chance of a wet day is 8% on November 5, and its lowest chance is 1% on September 5. The highest average 31-day accumulation is 0.5 inches on November 8. The lowest average 31-day accumulation is 0.0 inches on September 9.

Over the course of the fall at Socotra, the length of the day is decreasing. From the start to the end of the season, the length of the day decreases by 55 minutes, implying an average daily decrease of 37 seconds, and weekly decrease of 4 minutes, 16 seconds. The shortest day of the fall is November 30, with 11 hours, 27 minutes of daylight and the longest day is September 1, with 12 hours, 22 minutes of daylight. The earliest sunrise of the fall at Socotra is 5:13 AM on September 25 and the latest sunrise is 16 minutes later at 5:29 AM on November 30. The latest sunset is 5:35 PM on September 1 and the earliest sunset is 40 minutes earlier at 4:55 PM on November 19.

The wind direction at Socotra during the fall is predominantly out of the south from September 1 to October 13 and the east from October 13 to November 30. The average hourly wind speed at Socotra is very rapidly decreasing during the fall, decreasing from 24.0 miles per hour to 14.1 miles per hour over the course of the season.

The chance that a given day will be muggy at Socotra is gradually decreasing during the fall, falling from 100% to 96% over the course of the season. The average surface water temperature at Socotra is gradually increasing during the fall, rising by 4°F, from 77°F to 80°F, over the course of the season. The highest average surface water temperature during the fall is 81°F on November 1.

September: The End of the Monsoon

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Weather

  • End of the monsoon
  • Low rainfall
  • Average land temperature: 87°F/30°C
  • Average water temperature: 78°F/26°C
  • The clearest day of the month is September 27
  • The shortest day of the month is September 30, with 12 hours, 2 minutes of daylight and the longest day is September 1, with 12 hours, 22 minutes of daylight.
  • The latest sunrise of the month at Socotra is 5:13 AM on September 8 and the earliest sunrise is 7 seconds earlier at 5:13 AM on September 25. The latest sunset is 5:35 PM on September 1 and the earliest sunset is 20 minutes earlier at 5:15 PM on September 30.
  • The wind direction is from south, in a speed from 24.0 miles per hour to 12.1 miles per hour over the course of the month.

Wildlife

  • The Monsoon (windy season) come to an end by 18 September.
  • The palm date are ready to be harvested.
  • Land birds, such as Egyptian vultures and warblers, begin to nest.

October: The complete life adventure, both in land and sea

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Weather

  • Beginning of the wet season
  • Moderate to low rainfall
  • Average land temperature: 89°F/32°C
  • Average water temperature: 79°F/26°C
  • The clearest day of the month is October 1
  • The shortest day of the month is October 31, with 11 hours, 41 minutes of daylight and the longest day is October 1, with 12 hours, 1 minute of daylight.
  • The earliest sunrise of the month at Socotra is 5:13 AM on October 1 and the latest sunrise is 4 minutes later at 5:17 AM on October 31. The latest sunset is 5:14 PM on October 1 and the earliest sunset is 16 minutes earlier at 4:58 PM on October 31.
  • The wind direction is predominantly out of the south from October 1 to October 13 and the east from October 13 to October 31., in a speed from 79°F to 81°F, over the course of the month.

Wildlife

  • The sea is calm and flat
  • Perfect time for fishing GTs.
  • The desert Rose (Bottle tree) starts blossoming
  • Suitable for birdwatcher activities.
  • Egyptian Vulture chicks are big enough to fly
  • Boobies are busy fishing, uncommon sightings

November: Nature finds the ways of love

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Weather

  • Moderate to high rainfall (For reference, the year’s highest daily chance of a wet day is 8% on November 5)
  • Average land temperature: 85°F/29°C
  • Average water temperature: 81°F/27°C
  • The clearest day of the month is November 11
  • The shortest day of the month is November 30, with 11 hours, 27 minutes of daylight and the longest day is November 1, with 11 hours, 41 minutes of daylight.
  • The earliest sunrise of the month at Socotra is 5:17 AM on November 1 and the latest sunrise is 12 minutes later at 5:29 AM on November 30. The latest sunset is 4:58 PM on November 1 and the earliest sunset is 3 minutes earlier at 4:55 PM on November 19.
  • The wind direction is predominantly from the east, with a peak proportion of 71% on November 10., in a speed from 9.8 miles per hour to 14.1 miles per hour over the course of the month.

Wildlife

  • Dolphins groups immigration crossing the island.
  • Sea birds, such as gulls and herons, begin to nest
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Winter Season: (December to February)

Winter Season Weather Forecast:

 The wet season is characterized by occasional rains and cloudier skies. Over the course of the winter at Socotra, the length of the day is gradually increasing. From the start to the end of the season, the length of the day increases by 26 minutes, implying an average daily increase of 18 seconds, and weekly increase of 2 minutes, 3 seconds.

At Socotra, the chance of a wet day over the course of the winter is essentially constant, remaining around 4% throughout. A wet day is one with at least 0.04 inches of liquid or liquid-equivalent precipitation. The highest chance of overcast or mostly cloudy conditions is 39% on December 30. The clearest day of the winter is December 1, with clearmostly clear, or partly cloudy conditions 68% of the time.

Daily high temperatures are around 83°F, rarely falling below 80°F or exceeding 86°F. The lowest daily average high temperature is 82°F on January 15. Daily low temperatures are around 74°F, rarely falling below 71°F or exceeding 77°F. The lowest daily average low temperature is 73°F on January 31. For reference, on May 23, the hottest day of the year, temperatures at Socotra typically range from 81°F to 93°F, while on January 28, the coldest day of the year, they range from 73°F to 82°F.

The shortest day of the winter is December 20, with 11 hours, 23 minutes of daylight and the longest day is February 28, with 11 hours, 52 minutes of daylight. The earliest sunrise of the winter at Socotra is 5:30 AM on December 1 and the latest sunrise is 21 minutes later at 5:50 AM on January 24. The earliest sunset is 4:56 PM on December 1 and the latest sunset is 37 minutes later at 5:33 PM on February 28. December 20, the shortest day of the year, it rises at 5:40 AM and sets 11 hours, 23 minutes later, at 5:03 PM.

The chance that a given day will be muggy at Socotra is rapidly decreasing during the winter, falling from 96% to 80% over the course of the season. The highest chance of a muggy day during the winter is 96% on December 6. The lowest chance of a muggy day during the winter is 75% on February 10.

The average hourly wind speed at Socotra is rapidly decreasing during the winter, decreasing from 14.1 miles per hour to 10.2 miles per hour over the course of the season. The highest daily average wind speed during the winter is 14.9 miles per hour on December 18. The hourly average wind direction at Socotra throughout the winter is predominantly from the east, with a peak proportion of 84% on February 23.

The average surface water temperature at Socotra is essentially constant during the winter, remaining within 1°F of 79°F throughout. The lowest average surface water temperature during the winter is 78°F on January 30.

The average accumulated growing degree days at Socotra are very rapidly decreasing during the winter, decreasing by 9,027°F, from 10,620°F to 1,593°F, over the course of the season. The average daily incident shortwave solar energy at Socotra is increasing during the winter, rising by 1.3 kWh, from 5.6 kWh to 7.0 kWh, over the course of the season. The lowest average daily incident shortwave solar energy during the winter is 5.5 kWh on December 18.

December: The adventure of earth life

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Weather

  • High rainfall and waters begin to cool despite the wet season.
  • Average land temperature: 82°F/28°C
  • Average water temperature: 79°F/26°C
  • The clearest day of the month is December 1
  • The shortest day of the month is December 20, with 11 hours, 23 minutes of daylight and the longest day is December 1, with 11 hours, 26 minutes of daylight.
  • The earliest sunrise of the month at Socotra is 5:30 AM on December 1 and the latest sunrise is 15 minutes later at 5:45 AM on December 31. The earliest sunset is 4:56 PM on December 1 and the latest sunset is 13 minutes later at 5:09 PM on December 31.
  • The wind direction is predominantly from the east. The highest daily average wind speed during December is 14.9 miles per hour on December 18.

Wildlife

  • Valleys and Canyons are flooded with water
  • The highers of the Socotra Island is covers with lush vegetation and scenarios are at its best.
  • Frankincense treas are blossoming.

January: The charm of the valleys

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Weather

  • Wet season in full swing: one of the coolest months in Socotra.
  • Average land temperature: 80°F/26°C
  • Average water temperature: 78°F/25°C
  • The clearest day of the month is January 24,
  • The shortest day of the month is January 1, with 11 hours, 24 minutes of daylight and the longest day is January 31, with 11 hours, 35 minutes of daylight.
  • The earliest sunrise of the month at Socotra is 5:45 AM on January 1 and the latest sunrise is 5 minutes later at 5:50 AM on January 24. The earliest sunset is 5:09 PM on January 1 and the latest sunset is 16 minutes later at 5:25 PM on January 31.
  • The wind direction is predominantly from the east. In a speed from 14.8 miles per hour to 12.7 miles per hour over the course of the month.

Wildlife

  • Most migratory shorebirds have gone by the end of the month
  • Sometimes waivers chicks are visible in nests.

February: The Frankincense’s time

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Weather

  • Low rainfall
  • Average land temperature: 82°F/27°C
  • Average water temperature: 78°F/25°C
  • The clearest day of the month is February 28,
  • The shortest day of the month is February 1, with 11 hours, 36 minutes of daylight and the longest day is February 28, with 11 hours, 53 minutes of daylight.
  • The latest sunrise of the month at Socotra is 5:50 AM on February 1 and the earliest sunrise is 9 minutes earlier at 5:40 AM on February 28. The earliest sunset is 5:25 PM on February 1 and the latest sunset is 7 minutes later at 5:33 PM on February 28.
  • The wind direction is predominantly from the east. At speed from 12.6 miles per hour to 10.2 miles per hour over the course of the month.

Wildlife

  • Starling birds begin mating on the central islands
  • Most  shore birds nest. Good time to see them
  •  Egyptian vulture very active, the breeding season kicks off.
  • Males of Herons often fight on land and in the water to defend their harems.
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Spring Season: (March to May)

Spring Season Weather Forecast:

The spring at Socotra experiences daily high temperatures very rapidly increase by 9°F, from 84°F to 93°F, rarely falling below 82°F or exceeding 95°F. The highest daily average high temperature is 93°F on May 26. Daily low temperatures increase by 7°F, from 74°F to 81°F, rarely falling below 72°F or exceeding 83°F. On May 23, the hottest day of the year, temperatures at Socotra typically range from 81°F to 93°F. While on May 17, the cloudiest day of the year, the chance of overcast or mostly cloudy conditions is 60%., the chance of a wet day over the course of the spring is essentially constant, remaining around 3% throughout. The clearest day of the spring is March 30, with clearmostly clear, or partly cloudy conditions 70% of the time. A wet day is one with at least 0.04 inches of liquid or liquid-equivalent precipitation.

Socotra is located near a large body of water, the chance that a given day will be muggy at Socotra is rapidly increasing during the spring, rising from 81% to 100% over the course of the season. For reference, on May 31, the muggiest day of the year, there are muggy conditions 100% of the time, while on February 9, the least muggy day of the year, there are muggy conditions 75% of the time.

While on April 20, the calmest day of the year, the daily average wind speed is 6.7 miles per hour, the average hourly wind speed at Socotra is very rapidly increasing during the spring, increasing from 10.0 miles per hour to 18.2 miles per hour over the course of the season, The wind direction at Socotra during the spring is predominantly out of the east from March 1 to April 18 and the south from April 18 to May 31.

The average surface water temperature at Socotra is increasing during the spring, rising by 6°F, from 79°F to 85°F, over the course of the season. The highest average surface water temperature during the spring is 86°F on May 15.

Over the course of the spring at Socotra, the length of the day is increasing. From the start to the end of the season, the length of the day increases by 56 minutes, implying an average daily increase of 37 seconds, and weekly increase of 4 minutes, 17 seconds. The shortest day of the spring is March 1, with 11 hours, 53 minutes of daylight and the longest day is May 31, with 12 hours, 49 minutes of daylight. The latest sunrise of the spring at Socotra is 5:40 AM on March 1 and the earliest sunrise is 43 minutes earlier at 4:57 AM on May 31. The earliest sunset is 5:33 PM on March 1 and the latest sunset is 13 minutes later at 5:46 PM on May 31.

March: The little birds born and the dolphins arrive

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Weather

  • Warm Season, low rainfall
  • Average land temperature: 87°F/31°C
  • Average water temperature: 81°F/27°C
  • The clearest day of the month is March 30,
  • The shortest day of the month is March 1, with 11 hours, 53 minutes of daylight and the longest day is March 31, with 12 hours, 14 minutes of daylight.
  • The latest sunrise of the month at Socotra is 5:40 AM on March 1 and the earliest sunrise is 19 minutes earlier at 5:21 AM on March 31. The earliest sunset is 5:33 PM on March 1 and the latest sunset is 2 minutes, 23 seconds later at 5:35 PM on March 31.
  • The wind direction is predominantly from the east. At speed from 10.0 miles per hour to 7.7 miles per hour over the course of the month.

Wildlife

  • Socotra cormorants court and nest on cliffs
  • Socotra Buntting bird eggs begin hatching
  • Good time to see migratory birds migrate down from the highlands to the lowlands to begin mating season.
  • Dolphins migrate through the Socotra

April: Arrival of emigrated birds

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Rüppell’s Weaver (Ploceus galbula). Golden Weaver looking for meeting

Weather

  • Hot season in full swing: one of the hottest months in Socotra, although water worm drastically, low rainfall
  • Average land temperature: 92°F/33°C
  • Average water temperature: 85°F/29°C
  • The clearest day of the month is April 1,
  • The shortest day of the month is April 1, with 12 hours, 15 minutes of daylight and the longest day is April 30, with 12 hours, 34 minutes of daylight.
  • The latest sunrise of the month at Socotra is 5:20 AM on April 1 and the earliest sunrise is 16 minutes earlier at 5:04 AM on April 30. The earliest sunset is 5:35 PM on April 1 and the latest sunset is 2 minutes, 56 seconds later at 5:38 PM on April 30.
  • The wind direction is predominantly out of the east from April 1 to April 18 and the south from April 18 to April 30. April 20, the calmest day of the year, the daily average wind speed is 6.7 miles per hour.

Wildlife

  • Weaver bird mating season in full swing
  • Brown boobies courtship dances
  • Flamingos begin mating rituals
  • Sea turtle eggs begin to hatch
  • Dragon’s Blood tree blossoming fruit
  • Bunting hatching season ends
  • Perfect time for fishing GTs.

May: It’s the time of the Flamingos

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Weather

  • Transition from warm to dry season.
  • Waters begin to warm up again.
  • Moderate rainfall
  • Average land temperature: 93°F/34°C (May 23, the hottest day of the year)
  • Average water temperature: 86°F/30°C
  • The clearest day of the month is May 1,
  • The shortest day of the month is May 1, with 12 hours, 35 minutes of daylight and the longest day is May 31, with 12 hours, 49 minutes of daylight.
  • The latest sunrise of the month at Socotra is 5:04 AM on May 1 and the earliest sunrise is 7 minutes earlier at 4:57 AM on May 31. The earliest sunset is 5:38 PM on May 1 and the latest sunset is 8 minutes later at 5:46 PM on May 31.
  • The wind direction is predominantly from the south. The wind speed at Socotra is very rapidly increasing during May, increasing from 7.4 miles per hour to 18.2 miles per hour over the course of the month.

Wildlife

  • Green sea turtles hatch on Qadama Bay
  • Wavers begin laying eggs
  • Vultures begin the nesting season.
  • Booby mating season continues
  • sea birds begin laying eggs
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Summer: June to August (Monsoon)

Summer Season Weather Forecast:

The summer at Socotra experiences very rapidly decreasing cloud cover, with the percentage of time that the sky is overcast or mostly cloudy decreasing from 57% to 32%. The clearest day of the summer is August 31, with clearmostly clear, or partly cloudy conditions 68% of the time. For reference, on May 17, the cloudiest day of the year, the chance of overcast or mostly cloudy conditions is 60%, while on September 27, the clearest day of the year, the chance of clear, mostly clear, or partly cloudy skies is 74%.

The average hourly wind speed at Socotra is very rapidly increasing during the summer, increasing from 18.7 miles per hour to 24.3 miles per hour over the course of the season. For reference, on July 17, the windiest day of the year, the daily average wind speed is 29.1 miles per hour, while on April 20, the calmest day of the year, the daily average wind speed is 6.7 miles per hour. The highest daily average wind speed during the summer is 29.1 miles per hour on July 17.

The average surface water temperature at Socotra is rapidly decreasing during the summer, falling by 8°F, from 84°F to 76°F, over the course of the season. The lowest average surface water temperature during the summer is 76°F on August 17. The chance that a given day will be muggy at Socotra is essentially constant during the summer, remaining around 100% throughout.

Daily high temperatures are around 91°F, rarely falling below 88°F or exceeding 95°F. Daily low temperatures are around 80°F, rarely falling below 78°F or exceeding 83°F. The highest daily average low temperature is 81°F on June 7. The chance of a wet day over the course of the summer is gradually decreasing, starting the season at 4% and ending it at 1%. The average sliding 31-day rainfall during the summer at Socotra is essentially constant, remaining about 0.1 inches throughout, and rarely exceeding 0.8 inches or falling below -0.0 inches.

Over the course of the summer at Socotra, the length of the day is gradually decreasing. From the start to the end of the season, the length of the day decreases by 27 minutes, implying an average daily decrease of 18 seconds, and weekly decrease of 2 minutes, 4 seconds. The shortest day of the summer is August 31, with 12 hours, 22 minutes of daylight and the longest day is June 21, with 12 hours, 52 minutes of daylight. The earliest sunrise of the summer at Socotra is 4:57 AM on June 2 and the latest sunrise is 16 minutes later at 5:13 AM on August 31. The latest sunset is 5:54 PM on July 9 and the earliest sunset is 19 minutes earlier at 5:35 PM on August 31. Daylight saving time is not observed at Socotra during 2022. For reference, on June 21, the longest day of the year, the Sun rises at 5:00 AM and sets 12 hours, 52 minutes later, at 5:52 PM, while on December 21, the shortest day of the year, it rises at 5:40 AM and sets 11 hours, 23 minutes later, at 5:03 PM.

June: Monsoon (Windy Season)

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Weather

  • Start of the monsoon and dry season
  • Low rainfall
  • Average land temperature: 91°F/33°C
  • Average water temperature: 80°F/26°C
  • The clearest day of the month is June 30,
  • The shortest day of the month is June 1, with 12 hours, 49 minutes of daylight and the longest day is June 21, with 12 hours, 52 minutes of daylight.
  • The earliest sunrise of the month at Socotra is 4:57 AM on June 2 and the latest sunrise is 5 minutes later at 5:02 AM on June 30. The earliest sunset is 5:46 PM on June 1 and the latest sunset is 7 minutes later at 5:53 PM on June 30.
  • The wind direction is predominantly from the south. At average wind speed is 26.1 miles per hour,

Wildlife

  • Good time to see whale sharks off
  • Migrating birds leave the Socotra Islands
  • Short-eared owls begin nesting season
  • Cormorant nest and lay eggs
  • A good month to do wind surfing

July: The green sea turtles’ month

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Weather

  • Windy season, one of the driest months in the Socotra. Low rainfall
  • Average land temperature: 90°F/32°C
  • Average water temperature: 80°F/26°C
  • The clearest day of the month is July 2
  • The shortest day of the month is July 31, with 12 hours, 41 minutes of daylight and the longest day is July 1, with 12 hours, 51 minutes of daylight.
  • The earliest sunrise of the month at Socotra is 5:02 AM on July 1 and the latest sunrise is 8 minutes later at 5:10 AM on July 31. The latest sunset is 5:54 PM on July 9 and the earliest sunset is 3 minutes earlier at 5:51 PM on July 31.
  • The wind direction is predominantly from the south. On July 17, the windiest day of the year, the daily average wind speed is 29.1 miles per hour,

Wildlife

  • Meet the turtles arriving to shore before lay ages 
  • Perfect time for board surfing
  • Water temperatures tend to get cooler because of the current crossing the North of the Socotra. Air and sea temperature difference creates a layer of mist in the Archipelago sky.
  • Trekking from south of the island to hart of the Higher mountings is magnificent.

August: Time of the whales

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Weather

  • Dry season. Low rainfall
  • Average land temperature: 89°F/31°C
  • Average water temperature: 76°F/24°C
  • The clearest day of the month is August 22
  • The shortest day of the month is August 31, with 12 hours, 22 minutes of daylight and the longest day is August 1, with 12 hours, 41 minutes of daylight.
  • The earliest sunrise of the month at Socotra is 5:10 AM on August 1 and the latest sunrise is 3 minutes later at 5:13 AM on August 31. The latest sunset is 5:50 PM on August 1 and the earliest sunset is 15 minutes earlier at 5:35 PM on August 31.
  • The wind direction is predominantly from the south. The daily average wind speed is 28.7 miles per hour,

Wildlife

  • Brown booby eggs continue to hatch on 
  • Migratory shorebirds common to see
  • start moving to central Islands
  • A good month to do kit surfing
  • Vultures migrate back to the highlands
  • Meet the turtles lay ages 
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