Hullteam
Pro area

Entering by boat: Saudi Arabia (Red Sea)

What to do to enter Saudi Arabia (Red Sea) by sea: the procedures, the papers to present and the ports where you can clear in.

Check with the authorities before you leave (last checked on 28 October 2026).

Before you arrive

  • Notify the authorities 72 hours before arrival.
  • Online procedure: Plateforme EBHAR de l'Autorité saoudienne de la mer Rouge (préenregistrement, visas, permis de croisière) — eservices.redsea.gov.sa/Ebhar_Portal/

The steps

  1. Choose an agent and pre-register on EBHAR at least 3 weeks ahead (visas included).
  2. 72 h notice to the port of entry (via the agent); call Port Control on VHF 16.
  3. Only the captain goes ashore for formalities; crew stay in the port area.
  4. Receive the cruising permit and port clearance before leaving the port of entry.

Papers to have on board

  • Passports for the whole crew
  • Visas, if your nationality requires them
  • Crew list
  • Boat papers (registration certificate)
  • Insurance certificate
  • Outward clearance from the previous country
  • Going through an agent

Good to know

  • Agent mandatory to enter, cruise and leave; 72 h notice to the port of entry, EBHAR pre-registration at least 3 weeks ahead.
  • No-go area between the Gulf of Aqaba and north of Yanbu (NEOM, Amaala, Red Sea projects), except Duba.
  • Each domestic move needs 72 h permission via the agent and Coast Guard; Saudi courtesy flag mandatory (fine).
  • Security (JMIC, August 2026): 'substantial' threat in the southern Red Sea after a suspected Houthi attack on a Saudi-flagged tanker; report to UKMTO.
  • High costs reported (agent, visas, marina) in 2023.

Ports of entry

The ports where you can clear in, and the services available there.

Prepare your arrival with Hullteam

In the app, free: the map of every port of entry and its offices with their contacts, the crew list and the entry forms filled in for you, ready to print or send to an agent.

Create my free account

Sources

This information is gathered from public sources and sailors’ experience. It does not replace the country’s authorities, whose word is final: check before you leave.