Djibouti : Profile

Facts

• Djibouti is a convenient port of call for both east or westbound yachts. Most are bound for the Mediterranean and arrive in Djibouti during the NE monsoon, mainly between January and March.

• The French maintain a naval base in the port which means that provisioning is good, better than Aden, although more expensive.

• Repair facilities for yachts are rather limited, although there are a few workshops capable of carrying out simple repairs.

Weather

It can be very hot, especially from June to August, when temperatures can reach 112°F (45°C). The khamsin wind blows from the desert bringing dust. October to April is a little cooler and the winds are mostly easterly.

Djibouti Weather Forecast

Main Ports

Djibouti *

*Indicates a port of entry.

Related Reports

Indian Ocean and Red Sea Transit 2011 (12 Jan 2012)

Southerly Red Sea Passage (01 Jun 2008)

Eastwards Across the Andaman Sea (14 May 2008)

Mediterranean to Singapore: Cruising Report (17 Jan 2008)

Sailing From Asia To The Med Can Be Trouble-Free (23 Mar 2007)

Piracy: useful contacts (21 Mar 2007)

Yacht Abandoned Off Eritrean Coast As Skipper Goes Missing (06 Mar 2007)

Recent Cruising Accounts Of Red Sea Passages (05 Dec 2006)

Concern Over Recent Piracy Attacks off Somalia (14 May 2006)

Report on Red Sea Passage 2003 (28 Jun 2005)

Bab El Mandeb Straits To Eritrea: Cruising Report 2005 (25 Feb 2005)

2005 report on Djibouti (10 Feb 2005)

January 2004: Djibouti Visit A Disappointment (09 Feb 2004)

Massawa Well Worth A Visit (31 Dec 2002)

Related News

Piracy attacks in East and West Africa dominate IMB’s world report  (25 Jan 2012)

Thailand to Turkey Convoy through the Gulf of Aden Cancelled (23 Nov 2011)

NSC Pirate Attack Group Map Update (07 Oct 2011)

Latest News of Danish Crew Seized by Pirates (08 Mar 2011)

Notice to Yachts Transiting the Gulf of Aden (18 Sep 2008)

French Special Forces Swoop on Somali pirates (16 Apr 2008)

Crew of French Yacht Freed Somali Hijackers Detained (12 Apr 2008)

Pirates Attack French Yacht and Take Crew Hostage (05 Apr 2008)

Dangers Increase Off Somali Coast (28 Mar 2008)

Convoys Through Gulf Of Aden & Red Sea (28 Feb 2008)

Unpleasant Encounters In The Indian Ocean (12 Feb 2007)

Free weather service for yachts transiting the Red Sea (12 Apr 2003)

Updated advice for boats sailing through piracy areas (08 Apr 2002)