Sailing in Syria, Lebanon, Israel

[IronyLondon]

Does anyone have any experience, advice, information, contacts on sailing along the coast of Syria, Lebanon and Israel? We would like to explore this area when we sail back to the Red Sea from Turkey for the winter. Hope to set off around October.

 

[rwoofer]

I'm a regular land visitor to Lebanon, so the marinas/ports that I know are:

Byblos - a very old small port with a little fishing fleet. I have seen Fairline Squadrons in there. The entrance does look a little tricky with the rock reefs, so I wouldn't try it in any winds.
Jounieh - lots of marinas, probably the best is the ATCL (automobile touring club)
Between Jounieh & Beirut - a huge marina that takes megayachts. Also has a 100 metre swimming pool which I had never seen before.
Beirut - has a good size marina at St Georges
Sidon - an old fishing port

I am also fairly sure that the must be some kind of port at Tripoli, but I can't remember it.

Generally the weather is quite benign with very little winds, which is why most locals have motorboats.

 

[miki_b]

Hi Irony, the coast of Israel is quite boring but there is a lot to see in the country itself. The political and security situation is also stabilized. (but check again before you go...) There are a few marinas you can stay in. From the north: port of entry will be Haifa with the enclosed Kishon marina (industrial area, not really nice) Acre marina in a few miles to the north (972 4 9919287) Herzliya Marina is in the center near Tel Aviv (www.herzliya-marina.co.il) TelAviv marina will probably not have space (www.telaviv-marina.co.il) Ashdod marina lots of space, town is OK (972 8 8557246) a lastly Ashkelon marina, a good jumping point to Egypt, quite a few liveaboards (www.ashkelon-marina.co.il) mail me if you want more info. gilimiki@bezeqint.net