Abu Tig Marina - Port Of The Month

Created by doina. Last modified on 2007-03-01 18:56:16
Topic: Noonsite
Countries: Egypt

Noonsite Port of the Month for March is Abu Tig Marina, part of the El Gouna resort located north of Hurghada on the Egyptian Coast of the Red Sea.

Set against a scenic backdrop of desert mountains, the El Gouna resort consists of islands interwoven with lagoons and covers an area as large as central London. It is in fact much like a small town with its own infrastrucure and permanent population, its school and hospital (complete with Hyperbaric medical center and decompression chamber) as well as a wealth of facilities for visitors – miles of beaches, an 18 hole golf course and plenty of water-based activities.

Abu Tig Marina is an attractive collection of colourful buildings set around the marina basin, with Mediterranean-style berths. Within the marina complex can be found a number of hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars and shops. The marina currently has 126 berths and is often full so visiting yachts should make a reservation in advance. A new larger basin is under construction and is due to be finished in 2008. This new extension will provide berthing for vessels up to 60m LOA.

A recent visitor commented: “The Abu Tig marina and vacation resort was a long desired waterhole for a tired sailor. A great place for relaxing and eating at a dozen or so very good restaurants. Looking back at seven years out there I have to refer to Puerto Calero on Lanzarote for a fair comparision. Do not miss Abu Tig. Abu Tig does a very good job in a difficult sea where cruising is not a natural thing as is in the Canaries.”

The usual facilities are available, water and electricity to the berths, as well as high-speed internet access, WiFi and cable TV. Fuel and some repair facilities are available at the small Abydos Marina located in the south of the resort, which has haulout facilities for vessels up to 16m. Berthing space is limited at Abydos, which caters for the resort’s many dive boats.

Abu Tig Marina is a good place to leave the yacht and explore the many attractions of Egypt: trips can be made into the desert, while there are regular flights to Cairo and Luxor. Bus tours are also available to visit the Nile, Valley of the Kings and Karnak, or Cairo and its Great Pyramids. The resort has a private airport for charter planes, while Hurghada International Airport is only 25 km away.

At the present time Abu Tig Marina is still not a Port of Entry, so yachts will have to check into a port of entry before coming to the marina. North-bound boats will find it most convenient to stop at Port Ghalib Marina in order to take advantage of the cheaper fee system there. Yachts coming from the north must check in at Suez.

For more information, contact Marina Manager Philip A Jones.

Abu Tig Marina, Orascom Hotels & Development El Gouna, Red Sea, Egypt

Tel: (++2) 065 358 0073, Fax: (++2) 065 358 0040, Mobile: (++2) 012 223 0090

Email: pajones@abutig-marina.com

www.abutig-marina.com

www.elgouna.com

VHF Channel: 73

Marina Entrance: 27°24'.61N - 33°40'.94E (Admiralty Chart # 2375)