Tunisia
From CruisersWiki
An online cruising guide for yachts sailing to Tunisia
| Tunisia
| |
 Map | |
 Flag | |
| Capital | Tunis |
|---|---|
| Language | Arabic (official) & French |
| Currency | Tunisian Dinar (TND) |
| Time zone | WAT (UTC+1) |
| Calling code | +216 |
Tunisia is a country situated on the Mediterranean coast of North Africa. It borders with Algeria, to the west, and Libya to the south and east. Tunisia, is along with, Morocco and Algeria is part of the Maghreb North African group of countries. Forty percent of the country is composed of the Sahara desert, with much of the remainder consisting of particularly fertile soil, with easily accessible coasts. Its total area is 163,610 km2 and it has a population of over 10 million. Although the original inhabitants of Tunisia were the Berbers, they are now a minority. The majority are Arabs and the official language is Arabic although French is widely spoken. It is a Moslem country.
Tunisia has a diverse economy, with agricultural, mining, energy, tourism, and manufacturing. Governmental control of economic affairs while still heavy has gradually lessened over the past decade with increasing privatization, simplification of the tax structure.
The name Tunisia comes from the tuna fish which are abundant along the Tunisian coasts.
In the 10th century BC the coast of Tunisia was settled by Phoenician trades. These early settlers established the city of Carthage which became the dominant naval power in the western Mediterranean. A series of wars, the Punic Wars, with the emerging state of Rome almost ended in a Roman defeat when the Carthaginian general Hannibal, with his elephants, crossed the Alps and surrounded Rome itself. Eventually the Romans won and Carthage was completely subjugated and it became a Roman province. Today there are numerous Roman remains, amphitheaters, villas with magnificent mosaics, etc.
After the Romans came the Vandals (5th century AD) and the Byzantines (6th). The Arabs started waves of invasions beginning at the 7th century. By the 10th century they were established despite strong resistance from the native Berbers. In the 12 century Tunisia was held briefly by the Normans of Siciliy. After the Normans left the Berbers ruled their country from 1230 to 1547 when they were overtaken by the Ottomans. The Ottomans established local governors, the Beys on whom they had loose control. Under the Beys by the 16th century Tunisia became a pirate stronghold and its capital Tunis a major slave market.
In 1880 France invaded Tunisia and established it as a French protectorate thus ending the state of piracy. In 1956 Tunisia gained its independence from France and a Bey was established. In 1957 Habib Bourguiba overthrew the Bey and established the present Tunisian Republic. He was deposed as president in 1987 by Zine El Abidine Ben Ali who was the dictatorial president of Tunisia until 2010 when he was overthrown by a popular uprising. Ben Ali fled the country on 14 January 2010.
For historical details see Tunisian History.
Of all the North African countries, Tunisia has approached yachting in the most systematic way. Realising the considerable revenue that can be generated by cruising yachts, the Tunisian government has encouraged the setting up of a chain of marinas and yacht harbours conveniently spaced along Tunisia's entire coast, from Zarzis in the south-east to Tabarka in the west. Tunisian yachting facilities are the best in North Africa and as good as in many other parts of the Mediterranean. There are marinas at Bizerte, Sidi Bou Said, Hammamet, Port Kantaoui, and Monastir.
Charts
- BA (British Admiralty)
- 176 Cap Bon to Ra's At Tin
- 1162 Sfax to Sousse with approaches
- 1184 Baie de Tunis
- NIMA
- 52172 Sousse and Approaches
- 52186 Tunis and Approaches
Weather
Tunisia consists of two climatic belts, with Mediterranean influences in the north and Saharan in the south. Temperatures are moderate along the coast, with an average annual reading of 18°C (64°F), and hot in the interior south. The summer season in the north, from May through September, is hot and dry; the winter, which extends from October to April, is mild and characterized by frequent rains. Temperatures at Tunis range from an average minimum of 6°C (43°F) and maximum of 14°C (57°F) in January, to an average minimum of 21°C (70°F) and maximum of 33°C (91°F) in August. Precipitation in the northern region reaches a high of 150 cm (59 in) annually, while rainfall in the extreme south averages less than 20 cm (8 in) a year.
Sources of weather forecasting:
- Wind Guru - a surfer's site with worldwide wind forecasts
- Passage weather - worldwide weather maps
- Weather on Line - provides detailed 7 day forecast charts for the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Atlantic
- France
- GRIB files - download software, free. It is easy to use.
- Navtex Broadcasts - lists of all the Navtex broadcast times and frequencies. See also WORLDWIDE LW Navtex Broadcasts
Passages
See Aegean to West Mediterranean Passages.
Islands
Communication
Also see World Cruiser's Nets.
Any navigation notes here. If this section does not apply remove it.
Entrance
Arrival
Before landfall in Tunisia, the authorities like to be contacted on VHF channel 16 and be advised of your arrival. First landfall in Tunisia must be at an official port of entry and no-one must go ashore (or leave the vessel) until all the formalities have been completed. The various officials will visit the yacht - full crew list and copy of the vessel's insurance documents must be presented (these documents will be requested at all subsequent ports of call in Tunisia). Once Customs and Immigration have been seen, the harbour dues must be paid to the Harbour Master. A "Cruising Permit" will be issued.
The authorites must be notified immediately of any crew changes.
Departure
Before leaving any port, ensure that any outstanding harbour fees are paid and check out with the port police, notifying them of your next port of call.
When departing Tunisia, the "Cruising Permit" must be handed back to Customs and clearance done with Immigration.
Customs and Immigration
Customs
On arrival, Customs require a list of all dutiable goods (alcoholic beverages in particular) and will want to see the vessel's insurance documents.
Firearms and ammunitions MUST be declared to Customs on arrival.
PETS: Must have health certificates and certificates of vaccinations. Documents
There is no charge for the "Cruising Permit" that is issued on arrival. The validity of the "Cruising Permit" is normally 3 months, renewable for up to one year.
Immigration
No visas are required for many nationals including those of most European countries, Canada, the United States and Japan. Australian and South African nationals can obtain a visa on arrival whilst New Zealand citizens require a visa obtained in advance.
Note: Israeli nationals and those with Israeli stamps in their passports will not be allowed into Tunisia.
Note from cruiser August 2010: I can confirm that I experienced NO problems with regards to an Israeli stamp in my passport on my arrival in Aug. 2010.
On arrival, passports are stamped by the police, valid for 3 months and renewable for a further 3 months
Fees and Charges
Restrictions
Health and Security
Health
Submit any health warnings/information. Remove any of these sections do not apply to this particular country.
Security
Youths have been known to steal. Lock your boat and be vigilant especially while using public transport.
Berthing
Key to icons: 
= Featured Cruising Guides, 
= Port of entry, 
= Marina, 
= Anchorage, 
= Island, 
= Entry prohibited, 
= Needs data.
Transportation
The Tunis-Carthage airport has regular flights to France and other EU countries.
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
- Tunisia at the Wikipedia
- Tunisia at the Wikivoyage
- Tunisian History - Wikipedia
- Sahara desert - Wikipedia
-
Tunisia - South - Istioploos' Website
- Tunisia - North - Istioploos' Website
References
- Graham Hutt and RCC Pilotage Foundation, North Africa, including Morocco, Algeria, Libya, Tunisia, Gibraltar, Pantelleria and the Pelagie Islands and Malta, Imray, Laurie, Norie & Wilson, Cambridgeshire, Updated 2010 , ISBN 9781846232817
- Rod Heikell, Mediterranean Cruising Handbook, Imray Laurie Norie & Wilson; 6th Revised edition edition (April 21, 2012), ISBN 978-1846231704
- Rod Heikel and Lu Michell, Mediterranean Almanac, Imray Laurie and Wilson, Cambridgeshire, ISBN 9781846230837
- Barnaby Rogerson, Tunisia, Cardogan, ISBN 1860110592
- Daniel Jacobs and Peter Morris, The Rough Guide to Tunisia, Rough Guides, ISBN 1858288223
- Kenneth Perkins, A History of Modern Tunisia, Cambridge University Press, ISBN 0521009723
- Elisabeth Roberts Craft, A Spy for Hannibal: A Novel of Carthage, Bartleby Press, ISBN 091015533X
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.
- Tunisia is a fascinating country to visit, especially its interior and the desert. There is a lot of history and natural beauty. English is not widely spoken but French is. Most people are polite but tend to stay aloof of strangers. There are many harbors and several natural anchorages. --Istioploos
- Visited Tunisia in March 2012 after the 2010 - 2011 Tunisian Revolution and December 2011 elections. Had a warm welcome without problems with no signs of the revolution and a pleasant visit. --User:Rr7
| This is a usable page of the cruising guide. However, please contribute if you can to help it grow further. Click on Comments to add your personal notes on this page or to discuss its contents. Alternatively, if you feel confident to edit the page, click on the edit tab at the top and enter your changes directly. |
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Names: Lighthouse, Istioploos, S/Y mala moja |
