Port Said - Clearance
For full details on clearing into and out of the country, including standard fees, see Egypt Formalities.
If the yacht is transiting the canal and only staying in Port Said as long as it takes to make arrangements for the transit, immigration formalities are simple and no visas will be issued. Cruisers report that clearance and transit arrangements can take up to 3 days here.
Those who wish to stay longer and visit other parts of Egypt need to go through the normal entry procedure. However, it should be noted that cruisers report the process to get a visa here is lengthy and expensive. This is also not a good port to leave your boat unattended as the swell is very bad. See recent feedback via the speech bubble icon.
Yachts arriving from the Mediterranean clear into Egypt here as the first port of entry. However, you can choose to clear in at Suez or any Red Sea port. Ask your agent where would be the easiest and cheapest.
Port Clearance Fees
Port Fees (particular to each port in Egypt) have a tendency to fluctuate dramatically. The fees in Port Said increased from $265 in January 2024 to US$900-$1000. However, near the end of February 2024 this incredibly high fee was removed completely for yachts and has remained at zero throughout 2024. It is still wise to check with your agent prior to coming here as changes to fees can happen with little warning. It does, however – for the time being – make a southbound transit much more reasonable.
Remember that port clearance fees are separate to the Suez Canal transit charge or Agent fees. See link to canal document below which outlines all fees.
Overtime fees are charged, so avoid arriving on a National holiday, or on a Friday/Saturday, or out of hours.
Transiting the Suez Canal:
Full details of the procedures for transiting the Suez Canal, including the Canal Regulations and Fees charged, can be found here.
Last updated: October 2024
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Related to following destinations: Egypt, Mediterranean Coast (Egypt), Port Said
Port Navigation
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Checked in at Port Said on 29th June late afternoon. We got guided into the Yacht Club which is the dirtiest place to berth I ever saw in my entire life. I got longside berthed at the N wall. Dont stay at the S wall. The swell created by passing boats is smashing your boat against the wall.
I had a Crew of 6 and we decided to get a Visa (which was a fatal mistake). Also due to the fact that we arrived on national holiday, all processes was delayed and as the cost for some authorities are doubled on Friday-Saturday, we decided to wait and go into the Channel on Sunday morning.
We had to wait on the boat until we got picked up for the Visa which happend on Friday morning around 10.AM
Then we cam back around lunch time and had to wait on the boat all day for inspections by health office and Coast Guard, which happend at 09.00PM at night. Friday gone.
Saturday morning used for some Grocerie shopping, then back to the boat at 12.00AM waiting to get measured to get the Channel cost. Measurement was done at 4PM, then we had to wait for the agent to come with the final bill at 8PM evening. Saturday gone.
Then the biggest surprise. The overall cost which has been initially quoted at around 750,- USD increased to a total amount of 1450,- USD to be paid in Cash. No cards accepted. The channel rate increased from 450,- USD to 630,- USD with the explanation, that now the authority charge based on displacement instead of measured volume (wondering why we got measured and the measurement guy even provided the volume calculation formula to me). Port cost doubled as all major cost provided in the agents quotation suddenly changed into daily cost.
So in summary: be very careful in choosing your agent and get a written and signed quotation including all related cost. At arrival, get this signed quote re-confirmed with the agent.
Be prepared that all day long you will be approached by people from everywhere asking for ‘backshish’ drinks, T-shirts, cigarretts and whatever else they can use.
Thanks for this feebdack Frank, it doesn’t look like much has changed since we got negative feedback about this port over a year ago. Probably best avoided.
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 southbound. Port Said is the only way to go to the Suez Canal, southbound.
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.