Algeria - Profile
Facts
- Algeria has over 700 miles of Mediterranean coastline, behind which lie mountains and fertile plains, with the vast Sahara desert to the south. Along its entire length, the Algerian coast has no indentations and all the ports are man-made as there are no natural harbours.
- With very few exceptions, the ports are crowded and polluted, which is the main reason why cruising yachts very seldom go out of their way to stop in Algeria. The one notable exception is Sidi Fredj, west of the capital Algiers, where a tourist development surrounds the harbour, part of which has been converted into a marina.
- Algeria has suffered many years of bloody conflict between government forces and fundamentalists. Visits by cruising yachts cannot be recommended, if one needs to stop, especially in emergencies, ports such as the marina at Sidi Fredj should be preferred rather than one of the commercial ports. Anyone planning to visit Algeria should contact their own embassy or consulate in Algiers to get an update on the current security situation.
- If planning a passage that passes close to Algeria, best advice is to stand well outside 12nm off the Algerian coast unless visas, and boat permissions, have already been negotiated.
- SY Adina visited Algeria in August 2013 and provided noonsite with an excellent report of their visit - see here. The Algeria noonsite information will be updated as soon as possible with Adina's feedback, however for now their report is the most up to date information we have.
Security
Although things are safer than they were, it is still advisable to check a national advisory website such as The UK FCO website before calling at any Algerian port.
The Algerian authorities devote considerable resources to the safety of foreign visitors. In cities there’s a clear security presence, which can feel intrusive. Authorities will want to know your travel plans when travelling outside major cities and may assign police or gendarmes to protect you.
Last updated February 2018.
Weather
The climate is temperate with hot and dry summers. The winters are mild with some rain along the coast. Prevailing summer winds are easterly, while in winter winds are either from the west or north.
For links to free global weather information, forecast services and extreme weather information see the Noonsite Weather Page.
Main Ports
Algiers * , Annaba * , Bejaia * , Beni-Saf * , Bouharoun * , Cherchell , Collo * , Dellys * , Mostaganem * , Oran * , Sidi Fredj * , Skikda * , Tenes *
* indicates port of entry
Posted on behalf of Jan Harzem
Fly the Algerian courtesy flag
The coast guard will call you on VHF16 as you approach Algerian waters, asking your intentions.
You will be a novelty and will be treated as such, everybody will want to talk to you and take selfies on your yacht. Best to be strict and say a polite no thank you.
You can expect the formalities to take at least an hour or so. You will see the Coast Guard first, usually at the entrance to the port, they will wave you down and ask you to tie up at their wharf. You will have to fill in some paperwork. Best is if you have copies of passports, ship registration documents. insurance and your sailing qualifications at hand. Next, is police and Customs, depending on location. Whoever is the senior of all three, will run the show. They are extremely courteous and helpful, but will do a cursory search of the vessel. You will have to provide a Customs declaration and declare currency etc, The Police will retain your passports, which you will get back upon leaving. Sometimes the Harbourmaster and the quarantine doctor will come and see you, but really only out of curiosity.
If you want to leave the port area and do not have a visa, you need to ask for a permit d'escale, which is usually granted and you will be escorted into town by police in civilian clothes. In our case we were driven into town to change money and then taken for a scenic tour to the town and surrounding country side. Diesel is Dinar 23 per litre equivalent to Euro 0.18 per liter.
It helps if you speak some French, but a lot of the officials will be able to speak English as well.