Richards Bay - Clearance

Richards Bay Clearance

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.

International Arrivals

Call Port Control on VHF Channel 12 to request permission to enter the harbour – please note, Port Control will not respond to calls made on VHF Channel 16.

Upon entering the harbour, international yachts must proceed to the Small Craft Harbour at Tuzi Gazi and tie up on the concrete wall in front of the Dros restaurant. Do not attempt to anchor in Tuzi Gazi as the bottom is foul with old chains etc.

At the Small Craft Harbour you will be visited by Health, Customs and Immigration.

There are no facilities at this dock, either ablutions, water or electricity.

Skipper and crew must stay aboard until cleared by the authorities.

Ensure you are flying the Yellow Q flag and do not leave your boat until you have been cleared by Port Health.

Checking In:

1. Port Captain

Port Control (VHF Ch. 12) will ask the name and nationality of your vessel and the number of persons on board. Once they receive this information, you have been officially checked in with the Port Captain.

2. Immigration and Customs

An OSASA representative will meet you to assist with checking in.

After clearance has been completed, contact Zululand Yacht Club at admin@zyc.co.za for berthing arrangements.

Domestic Arrivals

Permission to enter must be requested from Port Control on VHF Ch. 12. As no Customs or Immigration is required you may proceed directly to the Zululand Yacht Club and tie up. You will need to confirm with the Marina office that a mooring is available unless you have made arrangements before arrival.

International Departures

See information on the Zululand Yacht Club website.

All foreign sailors and vessels must be cleared by Customs and Immigration before leaving Richards Bay for any foreign port. Bring vessel documents and passports. This does not apply to boats leaving Richards Bay to go coastal sailing.

Checking out takes longer and you need a car or taxi to visit the various offices which are spread out.

If departing South Africa from Richards Bay, all recreational boats need to first go to the Zululand Yacht Club to get the “flight plan form” for departures. This has 5 stamp boxes that need to be stamped by the following authorities in the order below:

1. Zululand Yacht Club - once your account has been fully paid
2. Zululand Yacht Club TNPA
3. Immigration (they will give you a small form for Customs)
4. Customs
5. Border Control (on the 2nd floor)
6. Zululand Yacht Club to clear for TNPA

Once all stamps have been obtained, the Zululand Yacht Club will e-mail the flight plan with your departure date and time to Port Control. Port control then authorize the boat to leave if they are happy everything is completed.

Once approved and your final clearance is given, you have 36 hours to leave once you have checked out. If you do not check out in this time you have to check back in and then check out again.

Here is a Google pin showing the locations of the immigration and port heath buildings: https://goo.gl/maps/PpV8o9uCp9m1cAtq5

Note that the marina office closes at 12:00 on a Saturday and the final flight plan (stamped by all authorities) must be submitted by 11:30 at the latest.

Domestic Departures

Leaving Richards Bay for coastal sailing is simple, but does require outward clearance in the form of an Electronic Passage Plan (EPP) completed on board. See South Africa Clearance for further details (in the Domestic Cruising section).

Last updated:  October 2025