Bulgaria

From CruisersWiki

Bulgaria (Bulgarian: България, IPA: bɤ̞ɫˈɡarijɐ), officially the Republic of Bulgaria, is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It is bordered by Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south and the Black Sea to the east. With a territory of 110,994 km² (42,855 mi²), Bulgaria is Europe's 14th-largest country.

On January 1 2007 Bulgaria joined the European Union.

The Bulgarian coast on the Black Sea is over 125 nM and has more than 20 ports and small harbors.

Charts

British Admiralty

2230 Constanta to Kefken Adasi

2231 Cape Kaliakra to Odessa

2399 Burgaski zaliv

Turkish

10A Bati Kara Deniz (West Black Sea)

17 Kara Deniz; Romanya to Bulgaristan

18 Kara Deniz; Turkey-Bulgaristan

Note: C Map electronic charts lack depth details for some areas in Bulgaria. For example, the Navionics electronic charts for the Danube and Nessebar are much more detailed than the C Map charts.

Weather

The climate is similar to the Northern Mediterranean, with very hot summers, but colder winters. The prevailing winds of summer are north east, although there is a daily alternation of land and sea breezes.

Weather links

• Turkish State Meteorological Service Forecast for Black Sea
• 3 Day Forecast Map for Western BlackSea

3 Maps to choose from - Wind Direction and Speed, Wave Direction and Height, Wave Period.

This map is produced by the Turkish State Meteorological Service which also produces maps for the whole Black Sea and Mediterranean. Map of Regions

• Navtex Broadcasts

Passages

List popular passages/routes, timing, etc.

Communication

Add here VHF channel for coastguard, harbor masters. etc.

Also see Cruiser's Nets

Navigation

The harbors are easy to find, but several small fishing harbors may have fishing nets, so do approach with caution.

Entrance

An agent is not required. Yachts are no longer required to check in/out of each port once clearance has been completed.

Arrival

Clearance must be completed with Customs, Health, Immigration and Port Authority. Officials will usually visit the yacht on arrival and the crew must remain on board until formalities are completed. The formalities are not complicated, but passports and ship's papers may be retained until departure.

A certificate (Form A) will be issued at the first Port of Entry, valid for 6 months, and each section signed by the relevent officials. First Health officials, next the Border Police, then Customs and, finally, the Maritime Administration Office. If there are no changes to skipper or crew, then Form B will not be needed.

Departure

On departure from Bulgaria, Complete Form C and then follow the departure procedure at the Maritime Administration office and the Customs office. After which the form can then be authorised by the Border Police.

Customs and Immigration

Customs

Firearms must be declared and will be detained. Animals may be confined on board.

A customs declaration must be completed on arrival, where video cameras, personal computers and other valuables should be detailed.

Transit logs are now not required for Bulgaria (as at June 2011).

Yachts are free to travel in Bulgaria except for any restricted areas shown on charts.

Immigration

All visitors must have a passport valid for 3 months before expected departure.

Bulgaria is a member of the European Union but not part of the Schengen Agreement Area.

Visas are not required by nationals of the following countries for visit of up to 90 days within a period of 6 months :- The EU, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, Nicaragua, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, San Marino, Singapore, Switzerland, USA, Uruguay and Venezuela.

Fees and Charges

There are no extra fees other then visa (if required) and harbor dues.

Restrictions

• Pets must have a Pet Passport, a current Health Certificate and Rabies Vaccination Certificate (valid at least 30 days prior to and not more than 6 months) and be be microchipped. Additional information from [www.bulgariatravel.org Bulgarian Website] or Email
• The export of articles of cultural, historical or artistic value is prohibited
• When sailing across the Bulgarian zone of the Danube, stops are forbidden at islands in the river or outside ports or other bases

Health and Security

Health

Submit any health warnings/information. Remove any of these sections do not apply to this particular country.

Security

Details?

Berthing

Ports, Marinas, Islands, & Anchorages
Balchik Balchik /wiki/Balchik |  – port of entry ||  – marina | BeleneBelene/wiki/Belene |  – island ||  – needs data | Burgas or BurgazBurgas or Burgaz/wiki/Burgas |  – port of entry ||  – harbour ||  – marina ||  – anchorage | Byala Byala /wiki/Byala |  – harbour ||  – anchorage ||  – needs data | Golden Sands (Zlatni Piassatzi)Golden Sands (Zlatni Piassatzi)/wiki/Golden_Sands |  – port of entry ||  – marina | Kavarna Kavarna /wiki/Kavarna |  – harbour ||  – needs data | Kiten Kiten /wiki/Kiten |  – anchorage ||  – needs data | Kozloduy Kozloduy /wiki/Kozloduy |  – island ||  – needs data |	Neftochim1Neftochim1/wiki/Neftochim |  – harbour ||  – anchorage ||  – needs data | Nesebar Nesebar /wiki/Nesebar |  – harbour ||  – marina ||  – anchorage | Pomorie Pomorie /wiki/Pomorie |  – harbour ||  – anchorage ||  – needs data | Primorsko Primorsko /wiki/Primorsko |  – harbour ||  – anchorage ||  – needs data | Sozopol Sozopol /wiki/Sozopol |  – harbour ||  – marina ||  – anchorage | St. Anastasia St. Anastasia /wiki/St._Anastasia |  – island ||  – needs data | St. Cyricus St. Cyricus /wiki/St._Cyricus |  – island ||  – needs data |	St. Ivan St. Ivan /wiki/St._Ivan |  – island ||  – needs data | St. Peter St. Peter /wiki/St._Peter |  – island ||  – needs data | St. Thomas St. Thomas /wiki/St._Thomas |  – island ||  – needs data | Dinevi Marina, Sveti VlasDinevi Marina, Sveti Vlas/wiki/Sveti_Vlas |  – marina | Tsarevo (Michurin)Tsarevo (Michurin)/wiki/Tsarevo |  – port of entry ||  – harbour ||  – anchorage | Vardim Vardim /wiki/Vardim |  – island ||  – needs data | Varna Varna /wiki/Varna |  – port of entry ||  – harbour ||  – marina | Varna Lake (Asparuhvo) Varna Lake (Asparuhvo) /wiki/Varna_Lake_(Asparuhvo) |  – marina |

Notes:

¹Very little information can be found

Transportation

• International flights, except to Moscow, only from Sofia
• Domestic flights between major cities
• Good train service, but avoid local trains and use express trains (may need advance ticket)
• Good bus service
• Car rentals

Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forums

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

Links

• Bulgaria at the Wikipedia
• Bulgaria at the Wikivoyage
• Islands of Bulgaria
• Bulgarian Black Sea_Coast
• Transport in Bulgaria - see Sea Ports section.
• Danube See in particular "Modern navigation" section
• Rhine-Main-Danube Canal
• Danube Black Sea Canal
• History of Bulgaria
• Culture of Bulgaria
• Geography of Bulgaria
• Demographics of Bulgaria
• Religion of Bulgaria

References

• Nicky Allardice, Cruising Bulgaria and Romania, Imray Laurie Noris & Wilson, Cambridgeshire (Ist Edition 2006), ISBN 9780852889107

See also Black Sea.

Comments

We welcome users' contributions to the Wiki. Please click on Comments to view other users' comments, add your own personal experiences or recommend any changes to this page following your visit.

See also Black Sea.

Verified by

Date of member's last visit to Bulgaria and this page's details validated:

• Compiled from research (pilot books, internet, etc.) --Istioploos Travels with S/Y Thetis

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Contributors to this page
Names: Lighthouse, Rr7, Istioploos