Explore: Djibouti
General Info
COVID-19: See Biosecurity for Yachting Protocols.
Description:
This large commercial port is a crossroads for sea base commerce. After a long period of unrest due to piracy activity around the Horn of Africa, the port is now opening up to visiting yachts.
This is a useful port to stop for fuel and re-provisioning before heading north, however, paperwork is lengthy and an ideas of a quick stopover should be cast aside. Allow at least a week for clearing in and out.
Entrance Notes and Cautions:
If arriving here at night, anchor 6NM outside the port at the islands and proceed into the port at daylight. There are a number of unlit moorings that are difficult to see at night on the approaches to the port.
Cruisers report alot of flies here in the port. It is advisable to remain at anchor and either dinghy to shore, or, use your agent to assist with a water taxi service.
Position:
11°35’57” N, 043°07’56” E (anchorage)
Clearance
See Noonsite/Djibouti/Formalities page for the full details.
Related Businesses
Gulf Agency Services
Address: 2- Rue de Bruxelles, PO BOX 1754, Republique de Djibouti, Djibouti,
Commercial agent but can deal with yachts if required.... Read More
Mohamed Ali
Address: Djibouti, Djibouti,
... Read More
Red Sea Up-Down Yachting Service
Address: Djibouti, Port de Peche, Djibouti,
Ahssan speaks good English and operates on WhatsApp.... Read More
Docking
The Djibouti Navy operates on VHF Channel 16.
Port Control operates on VHF Channel 12 and are efficient.
Anchoring Options
There is a large anchorage within the port, with good protection and holding in mud at approx. 11° 36.03N, 43° 7.86E (8 meters mud and sand). This eastern side of the bay is a good distance away from all the container ship activity and close to the marina area for tying up the dinghy when going ashore.
Alternatively, you may be directed to anchor between the old “Yacht Club” building and the Port de Peche. The Yacht Club of Djibouti is now closed and the building is used by the Guard Nationale.
There is an anchorage next to the fish market near to the Djibouti SAR center.
There is a charge to anchor here, not just for the port area, payable on clearing out (see Fees).
Cruisers report that the anchorage water is clean enough to swim in and use the watermaker.
See this report for good anchorages outside Djibouti port.
- Djibouti port anchorage courtesy of SY Alytes (2016)
Getting Ashore
It is normally possible to find a place to tie up your dinghy in Port du Peche, which is the fishermans marina on the east side of the harbour. You may need to pay $5 for a few hours ashore.
The fishing harbor is conveniently close to the shopping mall.
Last updated: December 2021
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