Egypt has officially opened its territorial waters to foreign-flagged, commercially registered yachts for leisure cruising, in a landmark move set to position the country as a competitive destination in the global yacht charter industry.
Announced this week, the policy shift removes long standing regulatory barriers that previously restricted access to Egypt’s coasts for foreign commercial yachts. The reform now enables international charters to operate freely along both the Mediterranean and Red Sea coasts, from Alexandria to Marsa Alam, tapping into some of the world’s most historically rich and biodiverse waters.
“This is a big win,” said Bahi Naguib, Operations Director at Felix Maritime Agency, a key player in pushing for the change. “Opening Egypt’s waters to foreign-flagged commercial yachts is a long-overdue move that puts us on the map as a serious charter destination.”
The decision comes as Egypt looks to diversify its tourism portfolio and attract high-net-worth travelers seeking new, culturally immersive cruising routes. From the pristine coral reefs of the Red Sea to historic Mediterranean ports, the country offers unique maritime attractions alongside growing marina infrastructure in areas like Ain Sokhna, Hurghada, and Sharm El-Sheikh.
Industry insiders suggest the timing is strategic. With increasing congestion in traditional Mediterranean charter hubs like Greece, France, and Italy, yacht brokers are looking for untapped, regulation-friendly markets—an opportunity Egypt now appears poised to seize.
However, experts caution that unlocking Egypt’s full maritime potential will require sustained investment in port services, customs handling, and reef conservation. “There’s still a lot to sort out,” Naguib noted. “We need standardized procedures for crew and passenger processing, expanded mooring facilities, and environmental safeguards to protect fragile ecosystems from anchor damage.”
It is to be noted that Egypt is preparing a second wave of maritime reforms, including incentives for private marina development and new training programs for local yacht service crews.
As Egypt drops anchor in the global charter market, maritime tourism stakeholders see the move as a first—but vital—step in repositioning the country not just as a heritage site, but as a luxury marine leisure destination with serious growth potential.
