Eritrea : Profile

Facts

• The two ports of entry, Massawa and Assab are located at either end of the country, so boats sailing in either direction can clear into Eritrea at one of the ports, daysail along the coast and then clear out at the other end.

• It is possible to cruise along the entire Eritrean coast in easy stages by exploring countless anchorages and offshore islands. Because of the lack of navigation aids, daysailing is strongly recommended, especially if staying close inshore.

• Massawa is the largest natural deepwater harbour on the Red Sea.

• An interesting side trip for those stopping in Massawa is to the inland capital of Asmara.

• In the Bay of Massawa lies the Dahlek Archipelago, a group of hundreds of islands and islets, which is a protected Marine Park.

• Repair facilities are limited, although there are small boatyards and workshops that will be able to carry out simple repairs. In Massawa a local man (Mike) visits boats and offers to do laundry, help with provisioning, etc.

Security

Warning:The latest advice is for cruisers to avoid both ports in Eritrea. See report (Feb.2011)

See www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad for the latest travel advice.

Last updated October 2011.

Weather

Temperatures remain high on the coast, in July and August even reaching 104°F (40°C). The northern coast has a rainy season from December to February but little rain falls in the south.

Eritrea.

Main Ports

Assab * , Massawa *

*Indicates a port of entry.

Related Reports

Potential new trend in pirate tactics in an area of the Red Sea off Eritrea  (08 Sep 2011)

Eritrea , Massawa Updates (04 Dec 2009)

Thailand to the Med - 2009 (29 Jul 2009)

Massawa, Eritrea - Important Changes  (15 Apr 2009)

Red Sea, Eritrea - Yachts Pursued  (21 Jan 2009)

Cruising Notes on Eritrea (30 Dec 2008)

SE Asia to Turkey 2008 (04 Dec 2008)

Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Cruising Tips (25 Jul 2008)

A Beautiful Time in the Dahlak Bank, Eritrea (25 Jun 2008)

Southerly Red Sea Passage (01 Jun 2008)

Eastwards Across the Andaman Sea (14 May 2008)

Sailing in Eritrean Waters (29 Apr 2008)

Beautiful cruising along Gulf of Aden and Red Sea in 2007 (22 Apr 2008)

Mediterranean to Singapore: Cruising Report (17 Jan 2008)

Thailand to Turkey 2007 Part One – Thailand to Massawa in Eritrea (19 Nov 2007)

Thailand to Turkey 2007 Part Two – Massawa in Eritrea to Turkey (19 Nov 2007)

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

Egypt, Yemen, Eritrea and Seychelles Update (13 Sep 2005)

Report on Red Sea Passage 2003 (28 Jun 2005)

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

Massawa Well Worth A Visit (31 Dec 2002)

Related News

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

NSC Pirate Attack Group Map Update (07 Oct 2011)

Treat with Extreme Caution - Convoys & Rallies through the Indian Ocean (22 Sep 2011)

Pirate Alley and Eritrea (08 Apr 2011)

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

Warning to Yachts to Avoid Eritrea (27 Feb 2011)

Update on Eritrea Incident reported 8 April (12 Apr 2008)

Yacht Pursued in Eritrea (08 Apr 2008)

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

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

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

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