Durban - Clearance
See South Africa Formalities for full details on clearing into and out of South Africa. Remember, before setting sail for South Africa you must register with OSASA. Full details in Formalities.
General Process:
Upon arrival, contact the Signal Tower, call sign ‘Durban Harbour Radio’, who keep a listing watch on VHF Channel 9 and SSB 2182 kHz, when you are approximately one mile off the Breakwater. Advise them of your arrival and last port of call and request permission to enter the harbour.
The Durban Marina, in co-operation with the Port Health, SAP Water police and Port Captain, will enforce all COVID regulations and protocols.
- All incoming yachts are to proceed to the quarantine jetty (“A” jetty – a big sign is visible on the jetty indicating Quarantine Jetty) and tie up. GPS co-ordinates: 29° 51′ 46,40″ S 31° 01′ 18,41″ E
- A Health Declaration for each person aboard is no longer a requirement but you must have requested a Pratique giving crew details plus an additional form giving vessel details, both available when you register for arrival online.
- The crew and Skipper will NOT be permitted to leave the yacht until the Port Health and SA Police have cleared the yacht. The Q flag must be flown until clearance procedures have been completed.
- The Marina will notify Port Health and SAP of the arrival of all yachts.
- These procedures will remain in force until advised otherwise.
Once cleared to leave the yacht, please report to the Durban Marina office and complete the necessary formalities. You will need to supply the office with the passports of all crew members as well as the boat registry certificate. Once this documentation has been completed, the Durban Marina will assist with the Customs and Immigration clearing-in procedures.
Departure:
Procedures are the same if departing for a domestic or foreign port:
- Complete a flight plan for Port Clearance;
- Report to the Port Control office, 2nd Floor Room 219, 45 Bay Terrace;
- Skipper and crew report to Customs and Immigration offices with passports and crew list;
- Contact Immigration three hours before departure and they will come to the boat and clear the yacht out.
Domestic
Before departure for coastal cruising, cruising yachts are required to visit the Marina office to complete the applicable forms (online Passage Plan, and Customs documents if required) and pay any marina fees or port taxes due. See Comments for recent cruiser experiences.
International
If departing South Africa for another country, once you’ve been stamped out of the country by Immigration, cruisers may not re-enter South Africa at another port without going through the whole Entry Process once again.
NOTE: Departure from this harbor is weather dependent. If multiple vessels are leaving at the same time it’s more expedient to coordinate clearances.
The Port Authority office is NOT open on weekends and Public Holidays, therefore clearing out should be done on the Friday morning prior to leaving.
All yachts leaving the port must first call “Durban Port Control” on VHF Ch 09 and request permission to exit the Port.
Last updated: August 2022
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Port Navigation
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We stayed at Durban Marina in March 2023 and had a wonderful time, thanks to the warm welcome of Suzaann and marina manager Mark. The yacht club has nice showers and a good restaurant. Marina prices for our 47ft yacht were 400 rand/day. There was electricity and water on the pontoon. To leave (for coastal sailing) we only had to fill in forms at the marina office and pay the marina fees. We did not have to go to the Port Authority and were advised not to call Port Control when leaving the marina/port. We also submitted an online passage plan, as East London had asked us to do so. We left without problems and were not called by Port Control.
We had a very enjoyable stay at Durban Marina from October 2018 – December 2018. Safe, secure, welcoming staff, and good facilities / food at both the Point and RNYC. It was centrally located with Krantzkloof and Umhlanga an Uber ride away and Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park, St Lucia, and Drakensberg easily accessible by rental car (overnight stay or longer recommended).
Yacht lifting services are available at Marina Yachtlift Durban. Maximum weight 40 metric tons. Yachts can be stored also for short medium or long term. Contractors are also available on site for most repair and maintenance work. Enquiries email stc@mweb.co.za phone +27312051814 or +27312029396 ask for Per or Caroline.
Be aware for the services of David Myles at the marina. Although he seems a nice guy initially, he hardly ever delivers his services on time, and never keeps his appointments or promises.
Reported on the Indian Ocean Crossing Facebook Page:
Following a bad storm that caused a lot of damage earlier in October, Durban Marina is slowly recovering. Berths are beginning to open up as they make repairs, but still definitely advisable to go there ONLY if you have a definite current recent reservation/confirmation. Contact Adri Botha information@durbanmarina.co.za tel +27 (0)31 301 2176, also check with her re possible anchoring out availability or holding – limited but usable in emergencies.
Beware of water in fuel when having fuel delivered from the CALTEX station across from the marina. Two vessels in late 2015 found significant water in their fuel after having fuel delivered to them from the station. This appears to be a problem with water in the Jerry Cans used to deliver the fuel. I loaded up at the same time as one of these but (except for on 20 it can)I chose to use my own cans(making several trips) and had no problems. I made this decision because there was also some dirt in the bottom on the one can I had delivered.