Bizerte
Benzert · Hippo Zarytus
37°16.4'N 09°52.4'E
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
80m
Holding
Excellent
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
80m
80m in the sheltered lake — holding in deep mud is excellent. The lake is fully enclosed so swinging room is ample. In summer, boat traffic from fishing vessels requires a clear swing circle of at least 80m.
About This Anchorage
Bizerte is Tunisia's northernmost city and one of the country's five official ports of entry. Its defining feature is the extraordinary Lac de Bizerte — a large inland saltwater lake connected to the Mediterranean through a navigable canal. The lake offers one of the finest all-weather anchorages in North Africa: completely enclosed, deep mud bottom, and shelter from every wind direction including the fearsome Sirocco. The old town (medina) dates to the 9th century and surrounds a historic kasbah and fort. Bizerte is the closest Tunisian port to Sicily (145nm NNE) and Sardinia (170nm NW), making it the preferred staging point for northbound passages. The Ichkeul National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site, 12km south) is a globally significant migratory bird wetland — one of the last freshwater lake ecosystems in North Africa.
Protected From
N · NE · E · S · SE · SW · W · NW
Exposed To
None (fully sheltered)
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring in Lac de Bizerte; harbour authority registration required on entry
- Permit required
- Yes
- Permit details
- Port of entry — obtain cruising permit from harbour master on arrival. Present vessel registration, all passports, crew list, insurance certificate. Q flag required on approach.
Restrictions: No anchoring in the main canal channel or near military installations. Ferry and commercial traffic has right of way at all times. Monitor VHF 16 on canal approach.
Hazards
- !Port of entry — mandatory Q flag and clearance before going ashore; authorities board on arrival
- !Canal approach: commercial and ferry traffic; strong current possible; monitor VHF 16
- !Sirocco (Chili) can develop rapidly Jul–Aug from S/SE — fully enclosed lake provides protection but monitor forecasts for departure
- !Military installations near lake southern shore — no approach; restricted zones marked on charts
- !Fishing nets in outer bay and approaches — ghost gear risk; approach via marked channels only
Skipper's Tips
- →Bizerte lake is Tunisia's best all-weather anchorage — ideal base for waiting out Sirocco; completely enclosed
- →Closest Tunisian port to Sicily (145nm) and Sardinia (170nm) — excellent northbound staging post
- →The old port kasbah and medina are walkable from the quay — rich Arab/Ottoman/French colonial architecture
- →Clear in and out of Tunisia here if heading north — saves backtracking to La Goulette
- →Ichkeul National Park (12km by taxi) is worth a half-day — flamingos, herons, ibis year-round
Facilities
Many restaurants and cafés in the old town and along the waterfront. Local fish market excellent — fresh seafood daily.
Nearest provisions: Bizerte town market (0.5nm)
Best Months & Season
Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct
April–October. Best in May–June and September–October avoiding peak Sirocco season (July–August). The lake anchorage is viable year-round in calm conditions — genuinely one of the safest anchorages in North Africa.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 80m
On the Tunisia North Coast, a Sirocco can arrive at night. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously and alerts you the moment your anchor drags.
Download Free for iOS