Sidi Bou Said
Sidi Bou Saïd · Club Nautique de Tunisie
36°52.2'N 10°20.8'E
Depth
3–7m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
75m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
75m
75m on clean sand in 3–7m. Set firmly — sand is compact but bay is exposed to N/NE. In northerly conditions above F3, reset alarm to 50m or seek the Club Nautique quay.
About This Anchorage
Sidi Bou Said is one of the most beautiful villages in North Africa and a UNESCO-protected architectural zone. Perched on a clifftop 70m above the sea, the village is a perfectly preserved ensemble of blue-shuttered whitewashed houses, bougainvillea-draped terraces, wrought-iron details, and cobbled alleyways. The Artist's Café (Café des Nattes) has been a gathering place for painters, writers, and intellectuals since the 19th century — Gustave Flaubert, Paul Klee, August Macke, and Simone de Beauvoir all visited. The Club Nautique de Tunisie below the cliffs is Tunisia's most prestigious sailing club. The anchorage in the bay is one of the most scenic in North Africa — the blue and white village reflected in the calm Gulf of Tunis water. Carthage ruins are 4km south by road or 2km by sea.
Protected From
W · SW · NW
Exposed To
N · NE · E
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring; Club Nautique de Tunisie berth approx 20–30 TND/night
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Sidi Bou Said is a UNESCO-protected architectural zone — no disturbance to the village structure; no noisy anchoring equipment at night. Respect other anchored vessels' swinging room.
Hazards
- !Bay fully open to N and NE — uncomfortable or untenable in northerly conditions above F3; leave immediately if NE strengthens
- !Tourist boat traffic in summer — ferries and excursion boats use the bay; maintain anchor watch
- !Rocky outcrops on headland approaches — use chart carefully; approach from SE bearing
- !Sirocco (Chili): bay exposed from SE; in Sirocco conditions proceed to La Goulette or Bizerte
- !Clifftop village — dinghy landing through surf possible in N swell; use Club Nautique pontoon when available
Skipper's Tips
- →The climb up the cliff path from the Club Nautique to the village takes 15 minutes — the view back over the bay to your boat is spectacular
- →Café des Nattes is one of the great café experiences in North Africa — mint tea and brik pastry at sunrise
- →Visit early morning before day-trippers arrive from Tunis — the village is magical before 9am
- →Carthage ruins are 4km by road — hire a bicycle from near the TGM station for a half-day archaeological circuit
- →The Club Nautique de Tunisie may offer temporary berthing if called ahead — worth a VHF call on approach
Facilities
Many restaurants and cafés in the village (10-minute walk up cliff). Famous Café des Nattes — tea and brik. Fuel: La Goulette (8nm).
Nearest provisions: Sidi Bou Said village (limited) / La Goulette (0.2nm)
Best Months & Season
Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct
April–October. Most beautiful in May–June and September. July–August very crowded with Tunisian summer visitors; Sirocco risk. Bay too rough November–March in NE season.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 75m
On the Tunisia North Coast, a Sirocco can arrive at night. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously and alerts you the moment your anchor drags.
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