A common portrayal given in practically all references made to the Mediterranean is that this Sea represents power. Power of man, power of the gods. It was here that mighty empires were born and conquered; various cultures met, differed and slowly grew to respect and live together. In mythology it is said that the azure waters of the Middle Sea were the highways of the gods, controlled by Poseidon and sailed by Jason and his Argonauts. Enterprising traders sailed across these waters from all surrounding lands and beyond to trade their merchandise in distant domains.
An important protagonist in this evolution of civilisation was Tunisia, the motherland of the mystic city of Carthage, over three thousand years old – a symbol of pride for its people and treasured as part of the heritage of the human race. In this land of contrasts one finds Kairouan, the most important Muslim City of North Africa since the ninth century, the Roman town of El Jem with the archaeological remains of the famous coliseum built by the Emperor Gratian around 230 AD, and Moknine renowned for its jewellery and pottery. The Cap Bon peninsula acclaimed for its vines and fertile low plateaux, just 140km from Sicily, was a convenient beachhead for adventurers, who craved for war or for trade, to cross from Europe onto Africa, or vice-versa, through Tunisia.
But that was yesterday.
Today Tunisia still features prominently in trade and world affairs yet it is more pleasantly renowned as a highly popular tourist destination representing through its various regions, covering 162,155 sq. km of terrain, contrasts of settings and traditions. Yet, it is the hospitable and courteous virtues of its people that have managed to safeguard and eventually portray a natural and intimate blend of ‘what was of yesterday and what there is today’.
A prime characteristic of Tunisia is its vibrant coastline, over 1,250-Km of it, featuring boundless white sandy beaches, blessed with turquoise waters and azure skies. In this enticing environment operates a thriving yachting activity offering a capacity of some 2,000 berths in the various marinas along the coast, endowed with the essential services, commodities, and a serene atmosphere to cater efficiently for both the short-sojourn and the long-stay visitors. The yachting service industry is made-up of a varied representation of seasoned local companies and of reputable international names.
Any pleasure craft arriving by sea from a foreign point may berth only in a harbour where there is a customs and police station. These ports are Tabarka, Bizerte, Sidi Bou Saïd, La Goulette, Kelibia, El Kantaoui, Sousse, Monastir, Mahdia, Gabes, Haumt-Souk and Zarzis. The following is some basic and useful information for a yachtsman approaching any of the mentioned defined marinas.
The yachting scene is complemented with a number of yacht clubs that are behind an interesting programme of activities, some also held in collaboration with yacht clubs from other countries. This gives such events an international touch and undoubtedly a higher level of competition.
Last year the Tunisian nautical scene was enhanced with the introduction of two pinnacle events – the Salon Nautique International de Tunisie and the Grand Prix of Tunisia part of the UIM Powerboat P1 World Championship. Both these manifestations are held against the backdrop of the avant-garde Yasmine Hammamet Marina. The Boat Show, the foremost of its standing in Tunisia, was organised by Tunisie Nautique Organisation with the enthusiastic support of various competent entities, both Tunisian and other, amongst which are the Tunisian National Tourism Office, the national carrier Tunisair and the Yasmine Hammamet Marina. This new endeavour had a satisfying outcome as it attracted a good number of international exhibitors mainly from Italy, France, Spain, Greece, Turkey and even Malta.
This year the second Salon Nautique International de Tunisie is being held between the 20th and 26th August.
International flights in and out of Tunisia are adequately catered for from five airports spread along the country, with three air terminals in particular – Tabarka International Airport, Tunis-Carthage International Airport, and the Monastir-Skanes International Airport – appropriately located to service the ‘yachting’ oriented regions. In fact, as outlined on the facing page, while the shortest drive from one of these airports to a marina is 10 minutes, the longest drive would take around 50 minutes. A good number of major international airlines, including Tuninter, Tunisair, British Airways, Lufthansa, Alitalia, Air Malta, Swiss Airlines, Air France, Aeroflot, Saudi Airlines, Egypt Air and Iberia operate scheduled service to Tunisia.
Tunisia presents visiting yachtsmen not only with modern and essential facilities, but also with a reliable and proficient service-industry as well as with a number of seasoned yacht clubs. All this coupled with a cheerful and health environment, an excellent cuisine, a mystic history and irresistible landscape, a jovial and courteous people – in a nutshell, a real tantalising break-away destination of overwhelming contrasts just 220 nautical miles ‘across the bay’.
l Wilfred SULTANA is editor and publisher of Yachting In Malta and the author of various articles on Malta’s potential as a yachting haven featured in international publications, such as The Super Yacht Ports & Marinas Guide, The Mediterranean Yachts Planners Guide, Mediterranean Yachting, Boat International, Mediterranean Yachting & Cruising and The International Yacht Planners Guide.