Eritrea

Eritrea's Red Sea coast and islands are sensitive waters. Foreign yachts must not treat general commercial shipping information as yacht permission. A 2025 Ministry of Transport and Communications maritime transport notice requires vessels in Eritrean territorial waters to provide updated AIS data and follow reporting procedures, stressing that outdated or false vessel information must not be used. The UK Foreign Office warns that unauthorised entry into Eritrean waters or island landings may result in vessel seizure and crew detention. Obtain written permission and current requirements directly from Eritrean maritime authorities and Massawa Port Control before sailing.

Noonsite yacht information updated March 16, 2026 identifies Massawa as the only entry port currently accepting visiting yachts. Assab is listed as a southern entry port but reportedly does not currently accept yachts except in emergencies. This is not an official Eritrean government yacht entry-port list, and restrictions may change at short notice. Do not enter Assab, the Dahlak Islands or other ports, islands or anchorages without explicit Massawa Port Control consent.

The 2025 maritime transport notice requires updated AIS information and reporting compliance in territorial waters but does not publicly specify private-yacht advance notice hours, forms or crew documents. Noonsite describes entering/leaving Massawa by the north or south channel without stopping en route and calling Massawa Port Control on VHF 16 about 1 nautical mile from the port. This is third-party nautical information. Confirm continued applicability with the port and obtain entry permission and crew visas before departure.

The Eritrean Embassy in the United States states that non-Eritreans normally need entry visas and passports generally valid for at least six months after entry; requirements may change. Noonsite reports that yacht crew have previously obtained 30-day visas or 48-hour shore passes on arrival. The UK Foreign Office, however, advises mariners to obtain permission and visas before entering Eritrean waters and warns of seizure or detention for unauthorised entry. Given the discrepancy, do not rely on visas on arrival. Before departure, all crew should confirm visas, passports, crew lists, shore passes and stay conditions with an Eritrean diplomatic mission and Massawa authorities.

The 2025 maritime transport notice requires current AIS data, compliance with reporting procedures, valid certificates and survey records for relevant vessels, and MARPOL pollution-prevention compliance. Public information did not establish private pleasure-yacht temporary-import periods, registration/ownership document lists, customs forms or coastal cruising permit procedures. Before arrival, confirm declarations, temporary-import papers, vessel certificates, navigation limits and outward clearance with customs and port authorities, retaining written advice.

The Eritrean Embassy in the United States requires yellow fever vaccination certificates for travellers from its listed risk countries. Lists and applicability may change according to departure and transit. No complete official private-yacht guide to ship health declarations, onboard food, animals, plants, pet quarantine or waste disposal was found. Before carrying pets, fresh food, plants or animal products, obtain written yacht- and route-specific requirements from Eritrean health, customs and agricultural quarantine authorities.

Eritrean restrictions on weapons, ammunition, military or satellite communications equipment cannot be treated as ordinary traveller-goods rules. The US State Department warns of strict electronics import controls, requiring declaration of laptops, mobile phones and cameras, and reports that binoculars, telephoto cameras and drones may be regarded as illegal. It advises checking current rules with an Eritrean embassy. This is not a formal Eritrean customs list. Before departure, declare onboard firearms, ammunition, drones, satellite terminals, professional photography gear and controlled medicines individually to customs and a diplomatic mission and obtain written permission. Do not conceal them or assume admissibility.

The maritime authority's public contact page lists [email protected] for official ship-registration and maritime-compliance enquiries, with Monday–Friday 09:00–17:00 local office hours. These are not Massawa Port Control or customs counter hours. Noonsite advises yachts to call Massawa Port Control on VHF 16 when approaching. Official public information does not fully confirm office locations, duty hours, agents or current berthing procedures. Obtain written official guidance before departure and follow port control instructions at sea.

No current Eritrean government tariff for private-yacht entry, mooring, cruising permits or departure was found. Noonsite's March 2026 information reports no yacht clearance charge unless crew purchase visas. This is third-party reporting, not an official quote. Before calling, obtain written fee items and receipt requirements from Massawa Port Authority, customs and immigration, and confirm departure notice, port clearance, next-port details and AIS reporting. Do not estimate charges from old information.