Aden - Clearance
This is an official Port of Entry.
See the Noonsite/Yemen/Formalities page for full details of clearance.
Be sure to make contact with Aden Port Control before entering this port on VHF Channel 13 or 16 well in advance of the buoyed channel to get approval for entry.
It is recommended to anchor on the port side of the entry channel where all the commercial ships are anchored. Avoid going anywhere near the starboard side as there is a military base here.
Beware of the big mooring buoys in the approach channel and also rocks and submerged cables in the yacht anchorage area.
Formalities are carried out ashore. The dinghy can be left at the ferry dock, where a customs officer will meet the captain and accompany him to the office. Immigration will be visited next, where passports are held until departure and every crew member has issued a shore pass.
A passport photo is required for the shore pass which allows a seven day stay for no charge. This can be extended, again with no charge.
The last stop is at the Harbour Master’s office.
In order to visit the capital, Sanaa, a three month visa is required. This costs US$35 per person and you will need written permission from the Harbour Master, which he will grant on condition that someone is looking after your yacht while you are away.
There are no check in or departure fees, but the Port Control office must be visited before leaving.
Last updated: January 2015.
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Comments about this port posted by cruisers on main Yemen page:
January 2015
Posted on behalf of SY Tamarisk:
We visited Aden in January 2014. The port is very hostile and we believe unsafe for cruisers due to out of control military people based there. Agent Omar (listed on noonsite) is dead and the daughter who picks up the phone is mostly clueless. See our blog http://www.tamariskrtw.com/ for more details.
April 2014
I have visited Aden in March 2014. Very friendly authorities, they ask you to anchor off near tourist port. Good holding at 7m, but be careful – there are some gas pipes on the bottom – look onshore and on tanker buoys at portside to find it. Go ashore on rib for customs and take shore pas for 3 days – all for free. They will ask some bakshish – I presented caps, it was enough.
You can fill diesel at fuel pier, ask locals to help you. We used the taxi driver, pay him 25 USD per day and he assists us to fix all problems. You can legally buy any firearms in Aden: AK-47 cost about 300USD, but you need to take permission to carry it to port – it needs 2-3 days to take it. Good and cheap provisioning in the city, friendly officials – nice port of call.