Anchoring and clearance in Durban

Where yachts anchor in Durban Bay, the marinas and yacht clubs beside the commercial port, and how clearance works.

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Anchoring

Where yachts anchor and tie up

Noonsite describes the Port of Durban as the largest commercial port in Africa, with specific areas set aside for pleasure craft.

AnchorageNoonsite says it is possible to anchor in the Silburn Channel, where the holding is reasonably good, and that various catamarans anchor there. It says fore and aft anchors are required and care should be taken not to obstruct the channel. (Noonsite, updated March 2025.)

MarinasNoonsite lists three marinas. Durban Marina lies opposite the Esplanade, with the Point Yacht Club and the Royal Natal Yacht Club on its shore side. Wilson's Wharf marina is used by local motorboats. The smaller Bluff Yacht Club facility lies 5 nm from the harbour entrance in the Silt Canal near Bayhead. (Noonsite, updated March 2025.)

Large yachtsDurban Marina asks owners of vessels over 20 m length and 8 m beam to contact the office at moorings@durbanmarina.co.za before booking.

SiltingNoonsite says silting is confined to the area around the Bluff Yacht Club, which is accessible at high tide and has berths for deeper draught vessels. It says silt at Durban Marina affects only the shallower section where the motor boats berth.

PilotageDurban Marina says Durban is a compulsory pilotage port, but pleasure craft are exempt under certain conditions.

Port operatorNoonsite says the Transnet National Ports Authority operates the Port of Durban and that Durban Port Control, on VHF channel 9, controls all shipping and yacht movements in and out of the port.

Noonsite, Durban docking and general info pages. Durban Marina visiting yachts page (undated).

Clearance

Clearing in and out of Durban

Noonsite (updated May 2025) describes these steps. Its page says to register with OSASA, the Ocean Sailing Association of Southern Africa, before sailing to South Africa.

Call the port

About one mile off the Breakwater, call the Signal Tower, call sign Durban Port Control or Durban VTS, on VHF channel 9. Give the arrival and last port of call and ask for permission to enter the harbour.

Quarantine jetty

Incoming yachts go to the quarantine jetty, marked A jetty at Durban Marina, or to a berth the marina office gives. Fly the Q flag until clearance is complete.

Pratique

Noonsite says a health declaration for each person is no longer required. A pratique request with crew details and a vessel details form is made when registering for arrival online.

Officials

Noonsite says officials now come to the vessel at the dock. Durban Marina's own page tells the skipper and crew to report to the Customs and Immigration offices with the boat's papers, passports and crew list.

Leaving for a domestic port

Settle the marina account and complete an online flight plan for port clearance. Call Port Control 60 minutes before departure to confirm receipt of the flight plan. On departure, call Durban Port Control on VHF channel 9 and ask permission to leave the port.

Leaving for a foreign port

Contact Immigration three hours before departure and they come to the boat. After a yacht is stamped out, it may not enter South Africa at another port without the whole entry process again. Check the rules for your passport.

Noonsite, Durban clearance page, last updated May 2025. Durban Marina visiting yachts page (undated).

Ashore

Yacht clubs beside the marina

Temporary membership

Noonsite says the Point Yacht Club and the Royal Natal Yacht Club have internet, bars and restaurants that visiting yachtsmen are welcome to use when berthed at Durban Marina. It says both offer temporary free memberships that include showers and other facilities.

Point Yacht Club

The club says it was established on 14 May 1892. Its website lists a Bay Site Clubhouse at the Yacht Mole and the physical address 3 Maritime Place, Victoria Embankment, Durban.

Royal Natal Yacht Club

The club says it is on the banks of Durban harbour and the Yacht Mole, and was established in 1858.

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