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Ocean Calling

Ocean Atlas · Indian Ocean

Indian Ocean

Somalia

A very long Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden coast, with turtle beaches and reefs that are almost unstudied.

A beach in Mogadishu
Mogadishu beach · Photo: Keith Ellison, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
On pause, travel not recommended

On pause, travel not recommended. A government travel advisory says not to travel here, so we do not offer trips. Sources: Somalia travel advice, UK FCDO; Travel advice, Swiss FDFA.

Why: The UK advises against all travel to Somalia, except three regions where it advises against all but essential travel. We follow government travel advice, we will look again when it changes. Story only, we do not go. We are still learning.

We share this country as a story and do not offer trips. This is not a judgement of the people or the ocean here. It only means that today we could not find a visit that meets our animal-welfare and safety standards. Places change, so we look again every year.

⚠️ Official travel advice is a separate question, and it differs by passport. EU citizens or US citizens may be advised against travelling there, so please check your own government’s website before you plan.

TurtlesCoral reefs

Why Somalia

Somalia has the longest coast on mainland Africa, and general sources describe turtles, dolphins and seabird colonies. Ras Hafun to Alula is named as a top place for marine protection. Very little is verified because so few surveys have been possible. The UK advises against all travel to most of the country, so this is story only and Ocean Calling does not go.

Conservation-led. Ocean Calling guests never chase, touch or bait animals.

FijiTanzaniaDem. Rep. CongoSomaliaKenyaSudanChadFranceZimbabweNamibiaMaliBeninNigerNigeriaCameroonTogoGhanaBurkina FasoCentral African Rep.CongoGabonEq. GuineaZambiaMalawiMozambiqueAngolaBurundiMadagascarAlgeriaUnited Arab EmiratesQatarOmanMyanmarIndiaBangladeshPakistanIranSri LankaChinaEritreaYemenSaudi ArabiaMoroccoEgyptLibyaEthiopiaDjiboutiSomalilandUgandaRwandaS. SudanRas Hafun to Alula coast, SomaliaBajuni Islands, Somalia

When to go

Timing changes a lot from place to place. See each place below.

Official travel advice or our ethics check means we do not send guests here.

Our ethics check

Can we travel here ethically?

On pause, travel not recommended

We follow government travel advice. We will look again when it changes.

Evidence is still thin here. We are checking again with official sources.

This is not a judgement of the people or the ocean here. It only means that today we could not find a visit that meets our animal-welfare and safety standards. Places change, so we look again every year. Checked 30 Sep 2026.

⚠️ Official travel advice is a separate question, and it differs by passport. EU citizens or US citizens may be advised against travelling there, so please check your own government’s website before you plan.

Sources for this check
The story

Where in Somalia

We share these places as stories and research notes. We do not offer or sell trips here.

Ras Hafun to Alula coast

On pause, travel not recommended

A productive stretch of coast with reefs and turtle nesting beaches, named as a marine conservation priority.

Bajuni Islands

On pause, travel not recommended

A chain of small islands in the south with seabird colonies.

Animals

Animals recorded in Somalia

Tap an animal to learn how it lives, where it travels and how to meet it respectfully.

Green turtle resting on the reef, shell and head pattern in sharp detailGreen turtleChelonia mydasSeen in 103 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernLoggerhead turtle at the surface feeding on Portuguese man o' warLoggerhead turtleCaretta carettaSeen in 89 countries in the AtlasVulnerableHawksbill turtle swimming, pointed beak in profileHawksbill turtleEretmochelys imbricataSeen in 88 countries in the AtlasCritically EndangeredOlive ridley turtles nesting on Playa Ostional, Costa RicaOlive ridley turtleLepidochelys olivaceaSeen in 40 countries in the AtlasVulnerableLeatherback hatchling crossing the sand toward the seaLeatherback turtleDermochelys coriaceaSeen in 76 countries in the AtlasVulnerableHuge spotted whale shark gliding through open blue waterWhale sharkRhincodon typusSeen in 54 countries in the AtlasEndangeredDugong grazing on seagrass over a sandy seabedDugongDugong dugonSeen in 32 countries in the AtlasVulnerableSperm whale mother raising her fluke beside her calf off DominicaSperm whalePhyseter macrocephalusSeen in 114 countries in the AtlasVulnerablePod of common dolphins surfacing in calm blue seaCommon dolphinDelphinus delphisSeen in 53 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernSilky shark swimming near the surface in blue waterSilky sharkCarcharhinus falciformisSeen in 48 countries in the AtlasVulnerableWhite-eyed gull perched on a corrugated roof against a blue sky, with a dark hood and red billWhite-eyed gullIchthyaetus leucophthalmusSeen in 10 countries in the AtlasLeast Concern
Curious?

Why this is a story, not a trip

Read our ethics check above. If you would like to talk about it, Rocío is happy to explain.

Ask RocíoBack to the Ocean Atlas

Also in Indian Ocean
Chagos (British Indian Ocean Territory)Christmas IslandCocos (Keeling) IslandsComorosIndiaMadagascarMaldivesMauritiusMayotteRéunionSeychellesSri Lanka

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For partners

Based in Somalia?

We are always happy to hear from exceptional local operators, accommodation, conservation organisations and destination experts in Somalia. If your work fits responsible, small-group ocean travel, we would love to learn more.

Partner with Ocean Calling
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