Egypt - Facts
- Most yachts visit Egypt only to transit the Suez Canal and very few visit the country itself. For full details on how to transit the Suez Canal, including costs, see this report.
- Egypt has become more difficult to explore by yacht in recent years due to less anchorages, because of either military presence or commercial development, and greatly inflated clearance costs.
- The only area of the country worth cruising is in the Red Sea, the reefs and bays stretching from the Sudanese border to the Gulf of Suez. Day sailing along this coast is the most pleasant way to make progress against the prevailing northerlies. See this 2023 report from SV Tuvalu.
- In past years the Red Sea coast saw a rapid growth in tourist resorts and developments including several new marinas, such as the Abu Tig and Port Ghalib Marinas, which form part of large resorts.
- If you are heading North, it is recommended to check into Egypt at Port Ghalib, not Hurghada (where fees are much higher).
- It is also possible to day sail north and stop overnight at “stop-over” anchorages. See this 2023 report from SV Tuvalu which contains some suggested anchorages.
- If heading South, a stop at Hurghada is worthwhile, however, be very careful about fees.
- Touring / sightseeing Egypt can be done from Port Suez, Hurghada or Port Ghalib.
- In the Mediterranean, Alexandria is the only alternative to Port Said.
- Occasionally yachts manage to obtain a permit to sail up the River Nile, a fascinating but not easy way to see Egypt.
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Suez Canal Yacht Marinas now have an App for booking berths and services and checking availability.
ios – https://apps.apple.com/eg/app/sc-yacht-marinas/id6470261333
android – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.suezcanal.yachtsmarina
Currently only the Yacht Marina at Ismailia can be booked, however the other 2 marinas will be added in the future. It should be noted that the Port Said Yacht Club and Suez Yacht Club are both out of service currently due to development work.
S/V Five Oceans.
We were passed Red sea northbound at 25/01/2024- 04/02/2024 from Djibouti to Sharm el Shekh.
It may be interesting for sailing. Sharm el Shekh is entry-port. Its posiible to stay alongside in Port Sharm el Shekh. You can have electricity (18$ реr day) and water. N27⁰51.267 E34⁰17.228
Port is protected from West, North and East wind. Agent, who assisted us are very professional and politely.
Ahmed. whatsApp +20 100 043 9392 Mobile(24/7) +20 100 037 8887
More info on Telegram: https://t.me/five_oceans_club
My track is here https://www.iridium360.ru/guest/journey/880610aa
I can give more ifo about crossing GOA, Bab el Mandeb and south Red Sea.
Captain Dmitry, WhatsApp +79166739968, Telegram: @Daleco
ALERT [October 4, 2022]: Noonsite has been notified that the Ministry of Maritime Transport has issued new procedures for yacht entry into Egypt and this will increase fees for entry and services. Egypt Formalities will be updated as soon as we have further details.
Hello everybody
I am Captain M Mohsen from the Suez Canal Authority. I’m the person in charge of the yachts related services in the Suez Canal Authority.
I’m writing this post in light of the SCA keenness to enhance our clients transit/ berth experience in the Suez Canal and its affiliated yachts Marinas (specially yackts Marina Ismailia)
In the middle of the canal between suez at the South and Portsaid at the North, (100 km to cairo , 145 km to the pyramids and the new museum, 335 km to Alexandria 450 to Hurghda & Sharm el shekh 600 km to port Galib.
Currently, the Suez Canal is developing all the yachts related services and infrastructure; for instance SCA is developing the infrastructure of its affiliated yachts’ marinas in the three Canal Cities (starting with Ismailia Marina with lot’s of services for examples maintenance , Yachts cleaning, Toilets & showers , business center , club house , barbershop, ATM center , kids playing area , Medical service , garbage service coffee shop & restaurant , Laundry ,water& Electricity) in addition to taking solid steps towards providing new digital documentation services for the transiting/berthing yachts.
Kindly, be informed that the Ismailia Yachts Marina is currently being upgraded in terms of infrastructure, and yachts related services. We have two other marinas in Portsaid city and Suez City, both will be upgraded once we complete upgrading Ismailia Yachts Marina.
Best Regards,
Captain M Mohsen
SCA authority
Suez canal have stopped the transit for small craft bouth Northand South bound from today 09 May until 16 May – information from the head office of the Canal Department, Ismalia.
Hi,
I am planning to sail southbound through Suez Canal and dive in Red Sea for 2-3 months, then back to Med through Suez canal. Does anyone know if the costs for southbound “Suez Canal dues – 400$ and Port Clearance – 652$” are still valid? Does anyone know what are the costs north bound?
Any experience on the required licenses and fees for diving at Red Sea?
See https://www.noonsite.com/report/suez-canal-transit-information/
I recommend you contact an agent with your questions – there is no charge to answer questions such as yours. Prince of the Red Sea have always been very helpful.
I’m planning to sail up the Red Sea and the Suez Canal next year. Is it true that the Suez Canal marine charts SC01, SC02 and R11 are compulsory on board ? How can I find them second hand ?
Hello charts are compulsory onboard, you can get in touch with us for full information about crossing on yachting@nascotours.com
Hi !
We would like to go to Egypt with our catamaran in june, I have seen on this website that we need a special letter in English/Arabic for anchorage :
« If you need to anchor in Egyptian waters prior to getting a cruising permit, this -Arabic/English letter of introduction – extracted from the Red Sea Pilot Book may be useful. »
The problem is that when I click on the link it is redirecting me on a facebook page with « you don’t have the permission on this page »
Do you know how can I have this special letter ?
Thank you very much
Bernard
Hi Bernard,
Thanks for bringing this to our attention – we’ll get that fixed. Until we do, I’ll e-mail you the image so you can print it off.
Regards,
Sue
good day mr captain
u are more than welcome to visiting egypt
just for your information no need to get letter for anchorage inside egypt cause u are a catamaran means Private yacht so no need to Looking for that letter cause its just for the navy ship who need that letter i am working as an agent here in egypt for yachts and Sure of my information I posted
For any information you may need in the future, do not hesitate to contact at
abdo_felix@hotmail.com
00201004478025 call / whtpp
At Port Suez, Captain Heebi, Prince of the Red Sea did a great job for us, getting us visas on arrival, helping with Suez transit and following up at every point. Kalkal at Suez Yacht Club also very helpful. Tour to Pyramids was taken by some of the party (just be sure to ask what is included and what is not, as everyone at the Pyramids will ask for money). Port Suez is messy but fun and the locals were very friendly. Canal pilots – we gave them $20 each at Captain Heebi’s advice and this was fine except for one who was abusive in asking for more.
Port Ghalib Quarantine Procedures. As of April 1st 2019 all crew members must be in possession of a Yellow Fever Vaccination certificate if coming from Suakin, Sudan. We were turned away at 9pm into 25 knots plus and told to go to Suez. The agent and the marina had not been informed by quarantine and the information was not on any Egyptian website (nor indeed is there any YF in Northern Sudan and Centre for Communicable Diseases says Sudan is split and the north is regarded as safe). However, forewarned is forearmed.
Message from Captain Heebi (Prince of the Red Sea):
To All Yachts undertaking a Suez Canal Transit:
Attention please:
Don’t be fooled by some shipping agencies that offer low prices in order to get the Yacht’s paper and register it at the Authorities, then surprise the Yacht’s owner with new high prices, claiming of changes in some tariff and canal dues, then the yacht’s owner will be obligated to pay – as the disengagement will be very complicated and a waste of time.
If the yacht’s owner falls into this trap, they are welcome to communicate with us, for not to hire us as their agents, but because we’re able to put those agencies under pressure and solve the problems and to make sure of a trouble-free transiting of the Suez Canal.
We’re doing this because we care about our country’s reputation and the reputation of our profession, especially in the Yacht’s world that we are dealing with since 1963.
Prince of the Red Sea
+ 20 – 62 – 319 13 16
princers@tedata.net.eg
We are just in the process of transiting the Suez Canal and would highly recommend Captain Heebi from The Prince of the Red Sea. He Processed approximately 25 boats this season for the canal. We went with him because we went with his father 30 years ago.
We have had no unexpected costs and a total of US $120 for agents fees. We had an alternator problem when we were about an hour up the canal and had to turn back. Captain Heebi immediately helped us get a mechanic at good rates and fixed the problem. We have nothing but praise for the professional way in which he conducts his business.
We were asked by a Nasco representative in Port Galib to give them a go as they were trying to begin a business but were apprehensive about the new guys on the block having enough experience. We were right to go with Prince of the Red Sea as we have heard of terrible overcharging problems with Nasco.
Important:
My advice to all Yachts wishing to visit Egypt – make sure that the Word (Pleasure Yacht/ Craft) is written in the Yacht Registration Certificate – I assume this will be one of the future requirements documents for Port Authorities.
Ashraf (Prince of the Red Sea)
Reported by Agent – Prince of the Red Sea:
Port Said has increased the price for the port clearance from 40$ to 652$ for any sailing yacht transiting south bound. Port Said is the only way to go to the Suez Canal, south bound.
I have one boat now arrive at Port Fouad Marina wishing to transit south, but the port authorities are asking for the new rules 88 2018.
Which is the new fees of 652 $ for port clearance.
The yacht was forced to leave the marina in 30 knots of wind at night because he had no money to pay the 652$. The yacht finally went back to the Mediterranean and changed their plans.
The 652 $ is only for the port clearance. For example, yesterday that boat if he allowed for the transit he has to pay:
Suez Canal dues – 400$
Port Clearance – 652$
Total 1052$ for yacht 13 meter, without the agent fees.
Very bad.
For your info. we have no problems in Suez at all for yachts going northbound, still with the normal fees.
So in Port Said now, the cost for all foreign flag yachts from 1 meter to 18 meter – clearance fees 652$.
If over 18 meter – 850$.
Capt Heebi.
We planned on doing the Suez Canal passage “ship in transit” to avoid Egyptian larceny. However, in Port Suez, we were inveigled to visit the pyramids by Mr Abdo, the agent for Felix Shipping.
For several hundred dollars he had no trouble getting us 30-day visas the next day. This is his little racket for passing yachts. Other yachts have paid much more for this service. Make sure you have authentic looking original Ships Registration Certificate, or you will be delayed.
Facilities are rough and expensive at Port Said and Ismailia. Do not expect a Tonnage Certificate or a calculation for the charges, as they are not forthcoming. Our visit to the pyramids was a hurried affair where you are pressed for further tips. The Museum of Antiquities in Cairo was impressive, but the pyramids were disappointing. Cheaper fuel and better, more amenable facilities can be found in Aqaba, Jordan.
Visiting Petra was more interesting than the pyramids, without any stress or pressures. Visiting Egypt from Jordan without taking your vessel is also more secure, cheaper and stress-free.
Firstly, El Alamein is not a port of entry, so you would need to clear in at Alexandria first (using an Agent). When clearing in, you would need to ask for permission to visit El Alamein (sailing permit). On arrival there, you will be stopped by the Egyptian Navy who will check your documents.
From asking a few contacts in Egypt about this marina, it appears it is more of a villa leisure complex than a marina for transient boats. Answers like: “Yacht visitors may use the marina facilities and may not. I am not sure what they mean by that, I can’t get clear answers”. Quite probably, the larger and flashier your yacht, the higher the chance of getting in.
If by chance, you do manage to obtain a berth, you would need to return to Alexandria afterwards to clear out of Egypt, or to get clearance for the next Egyptian port you wish to visit.
What about sailing from Greece to Porto Marina-El Alamein? It looks fairy touristic…. the only issue is the depth of the port? Any experience?
Posted on behalf of Fritze, SY Alytes:
Contrary to the information on noonsite (and on the entire net) – it IS still possible to enter Egypt with a visa on arrival.
The restraints employed in May 2015 were quickly removed after a storm of complaints. According to the Egyptian embassy in the UK, the visa on arrival policy is valid “until further notice”.
We can confirm that through the first-hand experience. It is tied to the availability of a stable, internet-based e-visa system. There is currently no date given for when such a system will be “live” and usable. Consequently, there is no need to apply and wait for visas in Djibouti.
Alternatively, you can also cross the Suez Canal as a boat in transit without checking into Egypt at all. This would save you some money (visa, clearance and the like). You can’t leave the ports, though.
Egypt decided Tuesday that foreigners wishing to enter the country need to obtain a visa before departure, and will not be issued at the airport upon arrival, state-run Ahram online website reported Tuesday.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2015-03/18/c_134075361.htm
Best regards David [S/Y “Surabaya Girl” – Portsmouth UK]