In a significant development to Egypt’s superyacht tourism plans, foreign-flagged, commercially registered yachts are now permitted to cruise Egyptian waters restriction-free.
The new edict, enforceable from May 2025 onwards, stipulates that the vessel’s maritime agent must supply local authorities with a confirmation, ensuring that no commercial activities will take place in Egyptian territorial waters for the duration of the stay.
The announcement is the product of a collaborative effort between local authorities and Egyptian yacht agent Felix Maritime Agency. The decision is informed by the surge in interest from an international fleet showing an interest in visiting Egypt.
“This is a transformative moment for yachting tourism in Egypt. By easing regulations and unlocking the entire coastline to foreign commercial yachts, we are opening the door to a new era of exploration in the Red Sea and beyond. It’s a significant step towards positioning Egypt as a top yachting destination,” said Bahi Naguib, Red Sea Operations Director of Felix Maritime.
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In February 2025, Egypt held the seventh edition of the Egypt International Boat Show at the Cairo International Convention & Exhibition Centre (CICC). This took place only seven months after the 2024 show, which was held in July after a 13-year hiatus.
The 2024 event emanated from Marassi Marina Yacht Club, located on Egypt’s North Coast. The show displayed models of luxury yachts and motorboats, along with water sports equipment and accessories. Exhibitors included UAE-based builder Gulf Craft’s Majesty and Nomad lines, and Azimut. A newsworthy development to come out of the show saw an agreement signed between Real Club de Regatas de Alicante (RCRA), Marassi Marina Yacht Club, and Felix Maritime Agency.