Georgia: Harbours, bridges and formalities for sailors
1 harbour
Georgia: 1 harbour, clearing in, papers and fees. Plan your trip with weather, tides and route.
Formalities
outside the EU customs unionCurrency: Lari (GEL)
Clearing in: Clear in at Batumi or Poti with border police and customs, with a customs declaration for currency and valuables; declare weapons. Clear out before every departure, even when returning to the same harbour, and then clear in again via VHF channel 16. Germans may stay up to 360 days without a visa; since 1 January 2026, proof of travel health insurance with at least 30,000 lari cover for the whole stay is required on entry. Abkhazia is closed: entering port there violates the Georgian law on the occupied territories (fine or prison of up to five years); the German Federal Foreign Office urgently advises against it.
Documents: Passport, valid until departure (the identity card is not always recognised when entering by sea; the German Federal Foreign Office recommends the passport), proof of health insurance in English or Georgian, boat papers, insurance, crew list.
Fees: Harbour fees in Batumi and Poti; berths at the Batumi Yacht Club.
Fairway: Few harbours; off Poti, Batumi and Supsa use the recommended approaches and avoid the restricted areas on the chart (fines). Westerly gales in winter.
Nature: Kolkheti National Park near Poti with protected wetlands.
Emergency: 112; VHF channel 16 and DSC.
Sources: Auswärtiges Amt: Georgia, travel and safety advice, World Cruising and Sailing Wiki: Georgia (as of 2026-10-20)
Harbours by cruising area
Georgia (Batumi, Poti)
Frequently asked questions
Georgia: Do I need to clear in?
Clear in at Batumi or Poti with border police and customs, with a customs declaration for currency and valuables; declare weapons. Clear out before every departure, even when returning to the same harbour, and then clear in again via VHF channel 16. Germans may stay up to 360 days without a visa; since 1 January 2026, proof of travel health insurance with at least 30,000 lari cover for the whole stay is required on entry. Abkhazia is closed: entering port there violates the Georgian law on the occupied territories (fine or prison of up to five years); the German Federal Foreign Office urgently advises against it.
Georgia: Which documents do I need on board?
Passport, valid until departure (the identity card is not always recognised when entering by sea; the German Federal Foreign Office recommends the passport), proof of health insurance in English or Georgian, boat papers, insurance, crew list.
Georgia: What fees apply?
Harbour fees in Batumi and Poti; berths at the Batumi Yacht Club.
Georgia: What is the emergency number at sea?
112; VHF channel 16 and DSC.
Georgia: How many harbours does Sailseer cover?
Sailseer covers 1 harbour with harbour info, weather and route planning.