See South Africa Formalities for full details on clearing into and out of South Africa. Remember, before setting sail for South Africa you must register with OSASA. Full details in Formalities.

General Process:

Upon arrival, contact the Signal Tower, call sign ‘Durban Harbour Radio’, who keep a listing watch on VHF Channel 9 and SSB 2182 kHz, when you are approximately one mile off the Breakwater.  Advise them of your arrival and last port of call and request permission to enter the harbour.

The Durban Marina, in co-operation with the Port Health, SAP Water police and Port Captain, will enforce all COVID regulations and protocols.

1. All incoming yachts are to proceed to the quarantine jetty (“A” jetty – a big sign is visible on the jetty indicating Quarantine Jetty) and tie up.  GPS co-ordinates: 29° 51′ 46,40″ S 31° 01′ 18,41″ E
2. A Health Declaration for each person aboard is no longer a requirement but you must have requested a Pratique giving crew details plus an additional form giving vessel details, both available when you register for arrival online.
3. The crew and Skipper will NOT be permitted to leave the yacht until the Port Health and SA Police have cleared the yacht. The Q flag must be flown until clearance procedures have been completed.
4. The Marina will notify Port Health and SAP of the arrival of all yachts.
5. These procedures will remain in force until advised otherwise.

Once cleared to leave the yacht, please report to the Durban Marina office and complete the necessary formalities. You will need to supply the office with the passports of all crew members as well as the boat registry certificate. Once this documentation has been completed, the Durban Marina will assist with the Customs and Immigration clearing-in procedures.

Departure:

Procedures are the same if departing for a domestic or foreign port:

1. Complete a flight plan for Port Clearance;
2. Report to the Port Control office, 2nd Floor Room 219, 45 Bay Terrace;
3. Skipper and crew report to Customs and Immigration offices with passports and crew list;
4. Contact Immigration three hours before departure and they will come to the boat and clear the yacht out.

Domestic

Before departure for coastal cruising, cruising yachts are required to visit the Marina office to complete the applicable forms (online Passage Plan, and Customs documents if required) and pay any marina fees or port taxes due.  See Comments for recent cruiser experiences.

International

If departing South Africa for another country, once you’ve been stamped out of the country by Immigration, cruisers may not re-enter South Africa at another port without going through the whole Entry Process once again.

NOTE: Departure from this harbor is weather dependent. If multiple vessels are leaving at the same time it’s more expedient to coordinate clearances.

The Port Authority office is NOT open on weekends and Public Holidays, therefore clearing out should be done on the Friday morning prior to leaving.

All yachts leaving the port must first call “Durban Port Control” on VHF Ch 09 and request permission to exit the Port.

Last updated:  August 2022

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