Jaffa Old Port
Yafo · Joppa · Yaffa · Port of Jaffa
32°03.2'N 34°44.9'E
Depth
2–5m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
70m
Holding
Fair
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
70m
70m alarm radius. Fair holding on sand and rock — test thoroughly after setting. Limited swinging room in small harbour. Day stop only recommended — use Tel Aviv Marina (3nm north) or Herzliya (9nm north) for overnight.
About This Anchorage
Jaffa (Yafo in Hebrew, Yafa in Arabic) is one of the oldest continuously inhabited ports in the world — archaeological evidence of port activity dates to 1800 BC, making it 3,800 years old. The harbour was the landing port for Crusaders, Egyptian pharaohs, and according to the Book of Jonah, where the prophet boarded his fateful ship before meeting the whale. Today, Jaffa is a predominantly Arab-Jewish mixed neighbourhood integrated into greater Tel Aviv, with a famous flea market, outstanding seafood restaurants on the harbour front, galleries, and the extraordinary Old City hill above the port with its clock tower (1906) and St. Peter's Church. The working fishing harbour is small and atmospheric. The anchorage in the inner harbour is for day stops only in settled summer weather — it is open to the south and west and unsuitable in any swell. The adjacent Jaffa Port beach provides some shelter but is exposed.
Protected From
N · NE · E · SE
Exposed To
S · SW · W · NW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- No formal fee — day anchorage only; check with harbour master on arrival
- Maximum stay
- 1 days
- Permit required
- Yes
- Permit details
- Israeli cruising permit required (from Herzliya or Haifa clearance). Coordinate with Jaffa Port harbour master.
Restrictions: Day stop only — harbour too small and exposed for overnight in any conditions. Active fishing harbour — do not obstruct commercial boat movements. Rock and reef areas — anchor carefully. Security screening required if first Israeli port (must use Herzliya instead).
Hazards
- !3,800-year-old port with rock and reef throughout — use Israeli chart BA 2634 carefully
- !Open to S, SW, W — any swell or southerly wind makes anchorage untenable immediately
- !Very limited swinging room in inner harbour — active fishing vessels need priority
- !NOT a port of entry — must be already cleared through Herzliya; do not use as first landfall
- !Submerged ancient harbour stonework and rocks throughout — anchor in charted clear sand patches only
Skipper's Tips
- →Day stop only — anchor in the morning, explore Jaffa, and return to Tel Aviv Marina or Herzliya for the night
- →The Jaffa seafood restaurants (particularly by the harbour) serve exceptional fresh fish — book ahead for dinner
- →The Old City hill above the port has outstanding views over Tel Aviv — the archaeology museum in the old citadel is excellent
- →The Jaffa flea market (Shuk HaPishpeshim) on Olei Zion Street is one of the best antique markets in the Middle East — Thursday/Friday best
- →Sunset from the Jaffa hill is one of the finest urban views in the Mediterranean — time your day stop accordingly
Facilities
Excellent seafood restaurants directly on the harbour front. The famous Jaffa flea market (Shuk HaPishpeshim) is 10 minutes walk. Outstanding street food throughout Old Jaffa.
Nearest provisions: Tel Aviv (Carmel Market) (3nm)
Best Months & Season
May, Jun, Sep, Oct
May–June and September–October only. The anchorage is open to prevailing westerlies and any southerly swell. Summer afternoon sea breeze (westerly) can make the anchorage uncomfortable — arrive and depart in the morning. Winter entirely unsuitable.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 70m
In Israel's open roadsteads and exposed anchorages, anchor drag in the Mediterranean night sea breeze can put you on ancient stonework before you wake. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously.
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