Djibouti to Suez 2026

Juliet Cryer

Djibouti to Suez Start milage 31860-32776 916nm not correct 10/04 - Djibouti - Bab Al-Mandab 6.00start Motor sea slight 15.00 Main sail/jib motor Wind broad reach 15+ knots 20.00 motor off 23.30 Wind increases Gibe to avoid ships plus 2nd reef 6 hrs night shift Travelled most in a day approx 140Nm 11/4 - Hanish Islands Full sail Sea 1-2 metres 14.45 Wind dies motor 23.00 wind increases 1 reef 6 hrs night shift 12/4 - Zubair Islands - Jab At Tayr Motor Wind and current against Slow progress 3-4kts Janner 2 approached by armed skiff - UKMTO aware 6 hrs night shift 13/4 Motor Wind and current against 6 hrs night shift 5.00 Asked to change course by warship convoy. 14/4 Still motor Sea slight 6hrs Night shift 15/4 Still motor Sea slight 6hrs Night shift 16/4 Still motor Attempt sailing but fail Katmai fuel exchange for crepes - Katmai short of fuel! 6hrs Night shift 17/4 Still motor Passage getting tedious! Sails just before midnight! 6 hours night shift 18/4 6.00 - Sea calm Motor sail 2nd reef 12.00 - Sea 2 metres ve karışık 20kts - difficult to control yacht due to lack of forward power. Better with sail and hydravane A difficult 24 hours! 6 hours night shift 19/4 - At sea day 10 Arrive Masa Alam Helmed to anchor Re fuel and fresh provision I am exhausted Motor Sea 1m 6 hours nightshift 20/4 Motor wind against us! Sea state increased from 1m to 2.5m Midday Sort shelter at El Qoseir Helmed to anchor within 6 metres! ⚓ 😊 18.00 left as wind better but big mistake? Increased to 25kts gusts to 34kts Engine and Autopilot could not handle 8 hours night shift 21/4 25kts gusts to 34kts Waves building to 3m but easier to steer using autopilot Midday arrive Şafağa Islands to shelter ⚓ Wind turbine has lost blades 😂 22/4 6.00 Wind gusting 26kts in anchorage Egyptian Navy tell us to leave Too rough for them to board in anchorage! Leave in 30kts motor Engine fails offshore due to fuel filter and dirty fuel. Put mainsail jib and Genoa up Wind and waves difficult. 4hrs sailing with gusts of 37kts whilst Rick repairs engine Arrive Soma Bay. 3 hours night 23/4 ⚓ Soma Bay Further work on engine Water pump fails 24/4 ⚓ Soma Bay Water pump fixed Still no fuel 25/4 Fuel arrives Midday leave Soma Bay Sea calm Motor with jib Then motor Doing regular fuel filter checks Navigate through reefs at night towards Suez. Lots of fishing boats also. 6 hours night 26/4 - Day 17 at sea Motor sea calm Checkin with Janner II at El Tur as has battery problems Wind increased 20kts Continued to anchorage north of Abu Durba Ras Jihan to wait Janner II joins 12.00 Anchor 23.00 Weather 9kts leave anchor Buddy now with Janner 5 hours night 27/4 1 metre swell Aiming to anchor Abu Zenima Weather window continues so do not anchor 15.00 anchor at Ras Matarma 28/4 - Day 19 at sea 32776 Toilet repair 8.00 wind against again 15kts 🙄 Wind drops as we approach Suez Navigating between ships 16.00 Arrive Suez 😍 18.00 Measured by pilot boat