Hoq Cave

Hoq is a cave running around three kilometres into the limestone of Socotra's northeastern coast, with large chambers, columns and a lake in the deeper sections, and its walls carry inscriptions and drawings left by sailors who sheltered there: texts in Indian Brahmi scripts along with South Arabian, Ethiopic, Greek and Palmyrene, most from the first centuries of the common era, evidence of the Indian Ocean trade the island sat on.

What you actually see

• The inscriptions - texts in Brahmi, South Arabian, Greek and other scripts.
• The chambers - the large spaces with columns and formations inside.
• The underground lake - the water in the deeper part of the system.
• The trade evidence - the record of the sailors the Indian Ocean routes brought.

When to go

October to April is the cool season and the practical window. The summer monsoon from June closes the island's transport. The cave is a constant temperature inside.

Honest expectations

The climb up to the entrance is steep and hot and takes around an hour. A guide is required and lighting is by head torch. The inscriptions are fragile and must not be touched.

Nearby

Arher is south, and Hadibu is west.