Caesarea — Roman Harbour Anchorage
Sebastos · Portus Augusti · Caesarea Maritima · Qesarya
32°30.0'N 34°53.9'E
Depth
4–9m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
100m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
100m
100m alarm radius for open roadstead. Sand bottom gives good holding but this is an exposed anchorage — set alarm conservatively. In any conditions above F3 from N/W/NW, weigh anchor immediately and transit to Herzliya (22nm south) or Haifa (30nm north). Day stop only recommended.
About This Anchorage
Caesarea's ancient harbour — the Sebastos (Portus Augusti) — is one of the most remarkable archaeological and maritime sites in the world. Built by Herod the Great between 22 and 10 BC entirely in open sea, it was the largest and most technically advanced harbour of antiquity: a 40-acre complex designed for 300 ships, constructed using hydraulic concrete (opus caementicium with volcanic pozzolana) — the Romans' revolutionary building material that sets underwater. The harbour was larger than Piraeus in its day. Today the ancient breakwaters and piers lie just below the surface — visible by snorkel, dive, or glass-bottomed boat. The archaeological park above the waterline has a Roman amphitheatre (still used for concerts), hippodrome remains, Crusader city walls, and Byzantine mosaics. The modern anchorage is an open roadstead north of the ruins, suitable only in settled summer weather. This is emphatically a day stop destination — the anchorage is exposed and has no facilities. Herzliya (22nm south) and Haifa (30nm north) are the overnight bases.
Protected From
E · SE · S
Exposed To
N · NW · W · SW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- No anchoring fee. Israel Antiquities Authority rules apply — do not anchor over or near visible ruins.
- Maximum stay
- 1 days
- Permit required
- Yes
- Permit details
- Israeli cruising permit required (from prior clearance at Herzliya or Haifa). Caesarea is not a port of entry. Antiquities site rules enforced by Israel Nature and Parks Authority.
Restrictions: Day stop only — open roadstead, no overnight facilities. ARCHAEOLOGICAL ZONE: Do not anchor over visible ruins or ancient breakwater structures — illegal under Israeli Antiquities Law. Anchor in charted sand north of ruins only. Scuba diving near ruins requires IAA permit.
Hazards
- !Open roadstead — exposed to N, NW, W; leave immediately in any conditions above F3 from these directions
- !Ancient Roman harbour structures just below surface — do NOT anchor over visible ruins or archaeological zone
- !No facilities — provision at Herzliya (22nm south) or Haifa (30nm north) before arriving
- !Submerged breakwater arms extend further than chart shows — approach from north carefully
- !Day stop only — no overnight in any but the most settled summer anticyclonic conditions
Skipper's Tips
- →Arrive by 09:00 to enjoy the site before afternoon sea breeze builds and anchorage becomes uncomfortable
- →The glass-bottomed boat tours from the Caesarea harbour reveal the underwater Roman structures clearly — excellent way to see the archaeology without a dive permit
- →The Roman amphitheatre (Caesarea Port) hosts world-class concerts in summer — tickets book out months ahead
- →Snorkelling near the outer breakwater reveals Roman columns, pier stones, and harbour architecture in 4–8m — extraordinary
- →The Crusader city walls directly adjacent to the theatre are remarkably complete — a full day of exploration is easy
Facilities
Restaurants and cafes in the Caesarea National Park complex (15 min dinghy + walk). No water, fuel, or marine facilities at anchorage — provision at Herzliya or Haifa.
Nearest provisions: Herzliya Marina (22nm south) (22nm)
Best Months & Season
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
June–September only, in settled anticyclonic conditions. This is a day anchorage with no overnight facilities. The Levant sea breeze builds from mid-morning — depart by 14:00 at latest to avoid afternoon chop on the northward passage to Haifa. The summer Mediterranean high provides reliable settled conditions June–August.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 100m
In Israel's open roadsteads and exposed anchorages, anchor drag in the Mediterranean night sea breeze can put you on ancient stonework before you wake. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously.
Download Free for iOS