Arher Dunes

About this place

The Arher Dunes are high white sand dunes on the north-east coast of Socotra island, piled against the side of a dark rocky mountain by the sea. They are one of the island's strangest sights, with white sand rising up the mountain like snow. The wind carries sand from the beach and drives it up the mountainside, building very steep dunes. A small freshwater stream runs down from the nearby mountains through green grass to the sea, so fresh water meets salt water at the shore. You climb the dunes on foot over soft sand, a tiring climb but worth it for the view from the top over the turquoise sea, the long beach and the mountains. Then you run or slide back down. You can swim at the beach, and the freshwater stream is a good place to rinse off the salt afterwards. Hadibo is about 49 km away in a straight line, and Homhil Plateau about 17 km. Climb early in the morning or late in the afternoon, as the sand gets hot at midday. Check the state of flights to the island before booking. The UK Foreign Office currently advises against all travel to the whole of Yemen and tells anyone there to leave, so check official guidance before making any plans.