Sfax / Mahdia
Gulf of Gabès (N)
Navigability index · East Coast
Indicative only: the same bulletin reads differently in a fishing boat, a cruising yacht or on a kite. It does not replace the official bulletin or your own judgement on site.
Small boat: waves, gusts and short chop all count.
Sailboat or motor cruiser: a gale sets the limit.
You need wind, but steady. Check it isn't blowing offshore: it would carry you out to sea.
Flat sea
Between each wave
117°
6 km/h - gusts 6 kt
113°
Temperate water
Mostly swell: long, regular waves from offshore, more comfortable than their height suggests.
48h evolution
| Day | Max waves | Max wind | Navigability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri 13 NovToday | 0.4 mSSE | 5 ktE · gusts 13 kt9 km/h | 🟢 Excellent |
| Sat 14 Nov | 0.4 mE | 6 ktNNE · gusts 14 kt11 km/h | 🟢 Excellent |
| Sun 15 Nov | 0.3 mE | 4 ktNNE · gusts 10 kt7 km/h | 🟢 Excellent |
| Mon 16 Nov | 0.2 mESE | 5 ktWSW · gusts 12 kt8 km/h | 🟢 Excellent |
| Tue 17 Nov | 0.5 mS | 5 ktSSE · gusts 13 kt10 km/h | 🟢 Excellent |
| Wed 18 Nov | 0.5 mSW | 7 ktSW · gusts 15 kt13 km/h | 🟡 Fair |
| Thu 19 Nov | 0.3 mSSW | 9 ktWSW · gusts 17 kt16 km/h | 🟡 Fair |
Index computed over daytime, 6 am to 6 pm: a night-time gust no longer downgrades the whole day. Waves and wind shown: 24-hour maxima.
Sea calm over East Coast (Sfax / Mahdia). Waves of 0.3 m, period 5 s, direction ESE. ESE wind at 3 kt (6 km/h), gusts to 6 kt. Excellent conditions for sailing. Water temperature: 22.5 °C.
Specific conditions by locality on this coast
Other coastal zones
Tunisia's east coast, from Cap Bon to Sfax, runs along the northern Gulf of Gabès. It is the country's longest coast, home to the major seaside resorts (Hammamet, Sousse, Monastir) and leading fishing ports (Mahdia, Sfax). This zone is relatively sheltered from westerly winds but exposed to the north-easterly (grigale) and south-easterly (sirocco) winds.
Frequently asked questions
Generally no. The East Coast is one of the calmest in the Mediterranean. Waves rarely exceed 1.5 m except during strong north-easterly wind episodes. The beach season runs from May to October.
The shallow waters of the Gulf of Gabès and runoff from wadis after rain sometimes colour the sea. This is a natural and temporary phenomenon.