Sfax
Safaqis · Sfax port
34°44.4'N 10°45.6'E
Depth
3–7m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
80m
Holding
Excellent
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
80m
80m in the yacht anchorage — mud giving excellent holding. CRITICAL: Gulf of Gabes springs drop 1.0–1.5m at Sfax. Anchor in minimum 4m at HIGH WATER. Commercial port activity nearby — maintain clear swing circle.
About This Anchorage
Sfax is Tunisia's second city and one of the country's most important commercial ports — a major exporter of olive oil, dates, and phosphate. Despite its industrial character, Sfax has one of the finest and least-touristed medinas in Tunisia: a 9th-century walled city with an authentic Arab urban fabric largely unchanged from medieval times. The city is the gateway to the Kerkennah Islands — a flat, sandy island archipelago of extraordinary tranquillity 22nm offshore in the Gulf of Gabes. Sfax's position in the central Gulf of Gabes means tidal planning is essential — springs of 1.0–1.5m require careful depth management. The local cuisine, particularly the Sfaxian fish dishes and olive oil traditions, is regarded as among the finest in Tunisia.
Protected From
N · NW · W · SW · S
Exposed To
E · NE
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Port authority registration required; harbour fees negotiated with port captain
- Permit required
- Yes
- Permit details
- Port of entry. Contact harbour master on VHF 16. All documents required. Cruising permit required if not already cleared elsewhere in Tunisia.
Restrictions: Commercial port traffic has right of way at all times. No approach to restricted phosphate loading quays. Tidal range critical — check before anchoring.
Hazards
- !TIDAL RANGE 1.0–1.5m at springs — anchor in minimum 4m at HIGH WATER; extensive sandbanks in approaches
- !Commercial port traffic — phosphate and cargo vessels have right of way; maintain VHF watch
- !Kerkennah approach: depths 0.5–1.5m throughout — requires shallow-draft vessel and constant echo sounder watch
- !Ghost fishing nets throughout Gulf of Gabes — fouled propeller risk; approach via marked channels
- !Sirocco (Chili): dusty, hot, reduces visibility July–August; enclosed port provides shelter but departure blocked
Skipper's Tips
- →Sfax medina is Tunisia's best undiscovered medina — authentic, working, very few tourists; hire a local guide
- →The morning fish market at the port (5–8am) is outstanding — fresh tuna, swordfish, octopus, snapper
- →Kerkennah Islands (22nm) require a shallow-draft vessel (under 1.2m) or local fishing boat — extraordinary tranquil world
- →Sfax olive oil is among the finest in the Mediterranean — buy direct from the port warehouses in season
- →The Sfax music tradition (maluf — Andalusian Arabic music) can be heard at local cultural centres in the medina
Facilities
Many excellent restaurants in Sfax medina — highly rated locally for fish and couscous dishes. Supermarkets and markets near port.
Nearest provisions: Sfax port market (0.3nm)
Best Months & Season
Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct
April–October. Year-round working port — berths available with notice. Best in spring and autumn for comfortable conditions and minimal Sirocco risk.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 80m
In the Gulf of Gabes, tides can drop 1.5m overnight and Sirocco can arrive without warning. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously so you sleep safely.
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