Dor Beach — Ancient Harbour
Tel Dor · Dor Bay · Dora · Khirbet el-Burj
32°36.6'N 34°54.9'E
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
100m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
100m
100m alarm radius for open bay. Good holding on sand when properly set. Day stop only — exposed to S/W/SW. In any swell or wind above F3 from south or west, weigh anchor and proceed to Haifa (22nm north) or Caesarea (12nm south). Archaeological reserve area — do not anchor near visible ancient structures.
About This Anchorage
Dor Beach is the site of one of the most important ancient ports in the eastern Mediterranean — the Canaanite and Phoenician city of Dor, continuously inhabited from approximately 2000 BC. The tel (archaeological mound) rises directly above the bay, and ongoing excavations (primarily by the University of Haifa) have revealed Canaanite warehouses, Phoenician dyeing vats (murex purple dye — the most valuable commodity in the ancient world), Egyptian administrative buildings, and an extraordinary submerged harbour complex extending into the bay. The underwater archaeology includes Phoenician and Bronze Age harbour installations visible in 2–5m of water — among the oldest underwater port structures in the world. The modern beach is a nature reserve and one of the most beautiful along the Israeli coast, with crystal-clear water over the ancient remains. The anchorage is sheltered from north and east but open to the prevailing westerlies — a settled summer day stop only. Israeli cruising permit required.
Protected From
N · NE · E · SE
Exposed To
S · SW · W · NW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- No anchoring fee. Israel Nature and Parks Authority archaeological reserve rules apply.
- Maximum stay
- 1 days
- Permit required
- Yes
- Permit details
- Israeli cruising permit required (from prior clearance). Dor is NOT a port of entry. Archaeological reserve: no anchoring on or near visible ancient harbour structures. Underwater diving in archaeological zone requires IAA permit.
Restrictions: Day stop only — open bay, no overnight facilities. ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESERVE: Do not anchor on ancient harbour stonework (Bronze Age / Phoenician structures in 2–5m). Beach nature reserve rules apply. No fires. No removal of archaeological material.
Hazards
- !Open bay — exposed to S, SW, W; leave immediately in any southerly or westerly conditions
- !Archaeological reserve — illegal to anchor on ancient harbour structures under Israeli Antiquities Law
- !No facilities — provision at Haifa (22nm north) or Caesarea (12nm south) before arriving
- !Underwater ancient stonework throughout bay — use echo sounder carefully; avoid anchoring in shallow archaeological zone
- !Summer afternoon sea breeze can reach F4–5 from NW — depart before 14:00
Skipper's Tips
- →The bay is exceptionally beautiful — clear water, sandy bottom, ancient archaeology visible from the surface
- →Snorkelling over the Phoenician harbour ruins in 2–5m is extraordinary — ancient stonework, column bases, harbour walls
- →The Tel Dor archaeological site above the beach has an information centre explaining 4,000 years of history
- →Anchor in 4–6m on sand, well north of the Tell promontory, to avoid the archaeological zone
- →Depart by 13:00 before the afternoon sea breeze builds — the westerly can kick up a short steep chop quickly
Facilities
No facilities at anchorage. Small beach kiosk (summer only). Provision at Caesarea (12nm south) or Haifa (22nm north).
Nearest provisions: Caesarea archaeological park cafe (12nm south) (12nm)
Best Months & Season
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
June–September only, in settled anticyclonic conditions. The afternoon sea breeze builds from NW typically by 13:00–14:00 in summer. Arrive early, depart early. One of the most historically significant anchorages on the Israeli coast — the 4,000-year-old Canaanite harbour is extraordinary.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
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