Tunisia

[Buena Vista]

We are about to leave the western Med bound for the eastern Med and considered a stop in Tunisia so we can get out of the EU and avoid possible VAT issues if we get stuck along the way.

The question is where? Has anybody some experience in these parts? I have identified a few convenient ports Sidi Bou Said, Hammamet and Monastir. They all seem to have safe ports although I am not sure Monastir has clearance facilities.

The bottom line is that although we are only going there to complete our clearnce from the EU we would also like to do the tourist bit for a few days, get a bit of local culture, see a bit of history etc.

Any advice?

Cheers
Brownie

[multihullsailor6]

Check www.noonsite.com for all Tunisian ports which can offer you clearance facilities.

[atoll]

great camel rides in the desert in tunisia

[stevensuf]

the quad biking in the desert is fun too, if a bit dusty!

[Buena Vista]

Multihullsailor - yes I have checked Noonsite but thanks anyway

Atol & Stevensuf - your comments are fundamentally correct but of no bloody use at all

Cheers
Brownie

[Jacques2]

Hi BuenaVista,
My experience of yachting in Tunisia is 8 years old. At that period I did my entry in Tabarka (visited Bizerte, Sidi Bouzaid...) and my clearance out in Kelibia. At that period, Monastir was a very well equipped marina with all you can need
As you know the political situation has changed and looks a little bit unstable. But as I know many french people are still wintering onboard in Monastir for example.
If I have an advice it will be to contact your Government (Foreign Affairs) to have an idea of whether it is risky or not and where. My intuition is there will be no problem on the East coast south of Kelibia, but maybe the north coast (which is the most interesting) could be more problematic . You need other opinions.
Here a link which gives you the Port of Entry in Tunisia :

Tunisia - a Cruising Guide on the World Cruising and Sailing Wiki

[Buena Vista]

Thanks Jaques for getting the thread back on topic. Yes I am aware of the situation in Tunisia, the Australian Government has a good site www.smartraveller.com.au which quotes Tunisia as "exercise a high degree of caution" but that is also the status of Turkey, Thailand and Trinidad & Tobago and I wouldn't consider them dangerous except in some parts. The main problem areas are near the borders with Algeria and Libya which they rate as "reconsider your need to travel". We will only stay 2 or 3 days and won't venture far off the beaten track.

Monastir doesn't seem to be listed as a port of entry, on Noonsite anyway, but I have heard that clearance can be obtained there.

Brownie

[Jacques2]

Here is a link with a french sail forum where you have very recent informations from people who are living onboard in Monastir. It is in french, but I suppose you can use Googoo.. translator to get the information you need. With tis site you can obtain information on all the Tunidian marinas (but in french...)...

Bateaux autour du monde - Sail The World - L'Univers de la grande croisière en voilier - STW)

[Jacques2]

... and the link with the marina (in English)... It looks like it is a Port of Entry.
Marina Cap Monastir - Tunisie