Nahariya Marina
Nahariyya · Nahariya Yacht Club
33°00.3'N 35°05.2'E
Depth
2–4m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
60m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
60m
60m alarm radius. Good holding on sand/mud in small marina. Depths limited to 3–4m — check entrance depths before approach. Northernmost Israeli marina: Lebanese border 6nm north. Do not transit north without Israeli Navy explicit authorisation.
About This Anchorage
Nahariya is the northernmost city in Israel and home to the country's northernmost Mediterranean marina — a small but well-maintained facility at the mouth of the Ga'aton River. The town has a distinctly European character — it was founded in 1934 by German-Jewish immigrants fleeing Nazi Germany, and the tree-lined central boulevard (Ha-Ga'aton) reflects their Rhineland town planning sensibilities. The marina is limited in size and depth but provides a base for visiting the extraordinary Rosh Hanikra grottoes (6nm north) by day before returning. Rosh Hanikra itself cannot be approached by sea as the grotto entrance faces the cliff base at the Lebanese border — within 1nm of which Israeli Navy prohibits all recreational vessels. The beach at Nahariya is excellent. The town offers good provisioning, restaurants, and a relaxed resort atmosphere. Security screening is required on arrival if this is your first Israeli port — but Nahariya is not recommended as a port of entry. Clear through Haifa first.
Protected From
N · NE · E · SE · S
Exposed To
W · NW · SW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Marina berth fee — approximately €25–40/night. Israeli cruising permit required.
- Maximum stay
- 14 days
- Permit required
- Yes
- Permit details
- Not a port of entry — clear through Haifa or Herzliya first. Israeli cruising permit required. VHF 16 for marina contact. Confirm entrance depths before approach.
Restrictions: CRITICAL: Lebanese border 6nm north — do NOT transit north of Nahariya without Israeli Navy explicit authorisation. Do not approach Rosh Hanikra cliff base or Lebanese border within 1nm. Limited marina depth — call ahead to confirm space and entrance depths.
Hazards
- !CRITICAL: Lebanese border 6nm north — do NOT transit north without Israeli Navy explicit authorisation
- !Do not approach Rosh Hanikra or Lebanese border within 1nm by sea
- !Limited marina depth (3–4m) — draught-sensitive vessels confirm depths before approach
- !River mouth entrance — sand bar possible; call ahead to confirm current depths
- !Western exposure — NW winter swell can penetrate marina; December–February difficult
Skipper's Tips
- →The Rosh Hanikra grottoes (6nm north) are best visited by the cable car from the cliff top — do not attempt to approach by sea
- →Nahariya is a pleasant beach resort town — the Ga'aton Boulevard with its horse-drawn carriages has great charm
- →Clear through Haifa (18nm south) before arriving at Nahariya — not a port of entry
- →Call VHF 16 or the marina directly to confirm entrance depths and visitor berth availability before approach
- →The beach immediately adjacent to the marina is one of the finest on the Israeli coast — sandy, clean, well-maintained
Facilities
Good restaurants and cafes in Nahariya town centre (5 min walk). Supermarket nearby. Fuel not available at marina — use Haifa (18nm south).
Nearest provisions: Nahariya town centre (0.5nm)
Best Months & Season
Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct
April–June and September–October best. The northernmost usable marina before the Lebanese border. Winter storms from the NW make this exposed — use Haifa as the winter base. The Ga'aton River can flood in heavy winter rain — check conditions.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 60m
In northern Israel's ancient harbours and open bays, conditions can change with the Levant sea breeze. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously so you can rest with confidence.
Download Free for iOS