Lebanon: Harbours, bridges and formalities for sailors
7 harbours
Lebanon: 7 harbours, clearing in, papers and fees. Plan your trip with weather, tides and route.
Formalities
outside the EU customs unionCurrency: Lebanese pound, US dollar widely used
Clearing in: According to sailors' reports, clear in at Beirut (Zaitunay Bay) or Jounieh (ATCL), arranging it with the marina or an agent beforehand. General Security (Sûreté Générale), immigration and customs at the marina, fees in US dollars; customs issue a cruising permit for three months; check in and out again at every further harbour. Germans need a visa; according to the German Federal Foreign Office it is issued on arrival at the airport for tourist stays of up to one month; whether this also applies in the harbour, clarify beforehand with the marina or an agent. Anyone with Israeli stamps or traces of a stay in Israel in their passport is turned away. The German Federal Foreign Office warns against travel to the south (south of Jiyeh) and urgently advises against travel to the rest of the country (as of September 2026).
Documents: Passport (an identity card is not enough, valid for six more months) without Israeli stamps, visa, boat papers, insurance, crew list.
Fees: Immigration and customs fees in US dollars, plus checking in and out at every further harbour; berths in Jounieh are expensive.
Fairway: Steep coast with few harbours. The maritime border with Israel is not agreed; UNIFIL and the Israeli Navy patrol off the south: do not sail there.
Nature: Nature reserves on the coast off Tyre and the Palm Islands off Tripoli.
Emergency: 112 (police), Red Cross 140; VHF channel 16.
Sources: Auswärtiges Amt: Lebanon, travel and safety advice, ATCL Jounieh: access to Lebanon, Sûreté Générale (General Security) (as of 2026-10-20)
Harbours by cruising area
Lebanon (Beirut, Jounieh, Batroun, Tripoli)
Frequently asked questions
Lebanon: Do I need to clear in?
According to sailors' reports, clear in at Beirut (Zaitunay Bay) or Jounieh (ATCL), arranging it with the marina or an agent beforehand. General Security (Sûreté Générale), immigration and customs at the marina, fees in US dollars; customs issue a cruising permit for three months; check in and out again at every further harbour. Germans need a visa; according to the German Federal Foreign Office it is issued on arrival at the airport for tourist stays of up to one month; whether this also applies in the harbour, clarify beforehand with the marina or an agent. Anyone with Israeli stamps or traces of a stay in Israel in their passport is turned away. The German Federal Foreign Office warns against travel to the south (south of Jiyeh) and urgently advises against travel to the rest of the country (as of September 2026).
Lebanon: Which documents do I need on board?
Passport (an identity card is not enough, valid for six more months) without Israeli stamps, visa, boat papers, insurance, crew list.
Lebanon: What fees apply?
Immigration and customs fees in US dollars, plus checking in and out at every further harbour; berths in Jounieh are expensive.
Lebanon: What is the emergency number at sea?
112 (police), Red Cross 140; VHF channel 16.
Lebanon: How many harbours does Sailseer cover?
Sailseer covers 7 harbours with harbour info, weather and route planning.