Here is a proposed route for a 1500 nm south bound Red Sea passage via the Suez canal to Djibouti and the Indian ocean. Note the Red sea is normally RED hot a bit more South, only from October to March the temperatures are moderate. Our Suez canal transit will thus be in September. It must be pre-arranged with an agent which can be the Prince of the Red Sea. This will cost around 800 euro excluding fuel, marina costs and a cruising permit ( valid for the duration of the visum of the captain) for Egypt and the gulf of Aqaba where required. Also ask for a port clearance to Hurghada marina if it is visited.Visa are not required when just travelling the Suez canal but as this is a good time to visit the Cairo museum and the pyramids obtaining them in Port Said is possible but note that port clearance in Port Said costs $200…
The start of the journey is a passage on the Mediterranian sea to Port Said, for example from these ports:
- 500 nm from Monastir, Tunesia
- 340 nm from Kemer or Antalya, Turkey
- 320 nm from Karpazgate marina or Famagusta anchorage, Cyprus
- 150 nm from Herzliya or Ashkelon, Israel
When arriving at the waiting area position 31° 15’39″N, 32° 20’28″E. call Port Said port control on VHF 12. Give them your agents name and ask for permission to go to the Port Fouad yacht club. Port control will send an orange pilot boat so be prepared with fenders and pay a $10 “tip”….
The 120 nm journey through the Canal can only be done on engine with a pilot on board and it will take 2 days with a stop in Ismalia. Drop the pilot in Ismalia for the night. Another pilot will come in the morning for the second stretch to Port Tawfiq near Suez at the South end.
From there the Red sea is only for the ones who like oil platforms. But soon, after some 160 nm, it becomes interesting for more people….
The Thistlegorm lies now in 35 meter deep water, see https://www.dive-the-world.com/diving-sites-egypt-thistlegorm.php
The current can be strong and you are diving in unsheltered open water
As it lies west from Sharm El Sheik there are several nice places to visit like the Saint Catharine monastry and several anchorages near Ras Muhammed. And approximately 100 nm into the North-Eastern sea-arm of the Red sea are the ports of Aqaba in Jordan and Eilat in Israel. This part of the Red sea is described here: https://travel.padi.com/nl/d/midden-oosten-rode-zee/
Avoid clearing out at Hurghada which is known for its very high fees, some had to pay $1000…. Even exiting the port for a daysail is expensive! Instead clear out of Egypt in Port Ghalib marina which charges “only” $80 for port clearance, contact sherif.fawzy@portghalib.com
If not cleared into Egypt at all, e.g. coming straight from the Suez canal you can still anchor at Gifton Island North East of Hurghada.
After visiting Luxor and the valley of the Kings clear out of Egypt at Port Galib marina a bit to the North which will cost “only” $80….
Next country!
- https://travel.padi.com/nl/d/saudi-arabia
- https://www.scubatravel.co.uk/redsea/divesaudi.html
- https://www.tdisdi.com/top-dives-diving-coast-saudi-arabia
- https://thearabweekly.com/red-sea-diving-experience-saudi-arabia
Abu Galawa and the Seven Sisters are near Yanbu, 200 miles back North from Jeddah….
Clearing out of Saudi Arabia can only be done in Jeddah port.
Then onward to Sudan where the prevailing wind will change from North to South. It is allowed to anchor on the journey South as long as you do not go ashore. A cruising permit is needed for a passage inside the reefs.
Stop at Sanganeb Reef & lighthouse near Port Sudan.
At Mesharifa, in the Dungonab Bay Mukkawar Island protected area, there are a multitude of manta rays. https://travel.padi.com/nl/d/sudan/
When checked in diving is possible with clubs from Port Sudan:
- The wreck of the Umbria at Wingate Reef, just outside of Port Sudan
- The Blue Bell wreck at Sha’ab Suedi.
- The shark-populated southern plateau at the Sanganeb Atoll Marine National Park
- Abingdon and Angarosh reefs with the schooling Hammerheads
Further south lies Eritrea
Eritrea
To check in Massawa Eritrea no agent is required. Eritrea is a dusty and war torn country with expensive provisioning.
Warning: do not anchor anywhere, must clear in first in Massawa!
- Dive Dahlak Archipelago must go with locally licenced boats, Dhlak Kabir.
- Durgham & Durgella Islands coral Dolphins, Mantas and sea turtles
- Dissie & Madote Islands coral groupers, snappers, lionfish, sea turtles, Dolphins
- Norah, a shallow lagoon dive, Madote and Dur Ghella: corals moray eels and turtles as well.
- Dessei Islands Sehil, Camel, and Northwest: groupers, reef sharks, barracudas, dolphins
- Snorkel Port Smyth Flamyngos
- Anchor Mersa Dudo
- Bab El mandeb Gate of Sorrows
- The Farasan Islands are Saudi Arabian territory and lie East of Massawa https://travel.padi.com/nl/d/eritrea/
Djibouti
A cruising permit is available in Djibouti port. The Port fee for the anchorage in the port is $3-5 per day. A 30 days visum is $20 per person. The Seven Brothers Islands are 60 nm North from Djibouti. There are also anchorages in Lake Ghoubet Northwest of Djibouti. Djibouti https://travel.padi.com/nl/d/djibouti/
It is wise when leaving Djibouti to register with UKMTO. Yachts are not required to register with UKMTO (Royal Navy’s United Kingdom Marine Trade Operations, which provides maritime security information) or MSCHOA (European Union Naval Force’s Maritime Security Centre Horn of Africa), although many do, nor are they required to use AIS.
Djibouti - Reunion is around 3000 miles. A stop can be made on the way at Socrotra., read this report of cruisers who stopped there, if you read it you would like to go there: http://socotra.info/cruising_on_socotra.html#.XhX5MtlCdhE
More to read:
- https://www.yachtingmonthly.com/news/red-sea-cruisers-return-despite-piracy-threat-66399#gREehMsbsEJ5szrM.99
- https://www.noonsite.com/news/indian-ocean-and-red-sea-passage-helping-cruisers-exchange-information/
- the secret facebook group of Wade Alarie for those who sail this route, a very helpfull exchange of information