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Djibouti - Facts

Jul 18, 2024
  • Advance Notification: An Agent is mandatory unless your yacht is less than 30ft. Be sure to contact your Agent in advance. See Clearance for details.
  • Djibouti is located in the Red Sea, opposite Yemen, and is a small country of just 23,000 sq km.
  • The population is made up of Somalis (60%) and Afars (35%) and in the second half of the 19th century became a French colony (called French Somaliland) which gained independence in 1977. Djibouti port is the main supply route for land-locked Ethiopia.
  • Djibouti is a convenient port of call for both east or westbound yachts. Those bound for the Mediterranean arrive in Djibouti during the NE monsoon, mainly between January and March.
  • Exploring the Gulf of Tadjourah and Ghoubet Al Khareb should not be missed, however, obtaining permission is rather complicated, greatly eased by using the right agent.
  • Diving here is excellent as industrial fishing is banned and the coral reefs are healthy. It also helps that the water temperature is close to 30 degrees. Between November and January the coast is frequented by the 40m long whale-shark.
  • Djibouti sits on the Afar Triple Junction where the African, Somali and Arabian tectonic plates meet. As a result, the scenery is spectacular with volcanic rock, lava flows, hot springs, salt lakes, petrified forests, and an almost extra-terrestrial landscape.
  • The French maintain a naval base in the port which means that provisioning is good, better than Aden, although as the majority of goods are imported they tend to be more expensive.
  • Repair facilities for yachts are very limited, although you may be able to find a few workshops capable of carrying out simple repairs.

Green blue water surrounded by yellow sand and arid rock with white crusts of salt around its edges
Lac Assal is a saline lake located 155 m below sea level and the world’s largest salt reserve. It is connected to the sea by a subterranean channel.

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Djibouti was last updated 1 year ago
Related to following destinations: Djibouti

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