Marinas in Georgia — Black Sea
Georgia’s eastern Black Sea coast combines green foothills, pebble and sandy beaches, and seaside towns with lively summers.
Georgia
In Ajara, forested mountains rise close to the sea, with pebble beaches and resorts along the shore. Farther north, in Guria and around Poti, the coast becomes low and sandy. Sailing here follows the mainland, with open-water passages between coastal stops.
June to September is the usual period for a summer trip. July and August are hot and humid, with warm water and the liveliest resorts. Heavy rain can fall even in summer, particularly in Batumi and along the neighbouring coast of Ajara.
Natural sheltered bays are scarce, and much of the coast is exposed to waves from the open sea. A beach stop in calm weather may not be suitable for an overnight stay; sheltered berths here are more often found behind harbour structures.
Time ashore can combine city life in Batumi with the natural scenery of the coast. Batumi offers old neighbourhoods, a long seafront boulevard and Ajarian food. Near the city, the botanical garden occupies green slopes above the sea. Near Poti, Kolkheti National Park includes Lake Paliastomi, wetlands and forests that can be explored on a local boat trip.
Sailing character
- Open coast
- Small tidal range
Passages along an exposed mainland coast predominate. Astronomical tides are small, but wind, waves and local currents still matter.
What to explore ashore
- Coastal nature
Watch out
- Local wind acceleration — Ureki and PotiPoti area: strong winds can funnel out of the Rioni valley.
Sailing areas
Batumi and Ajara are particularly wet; the low coast near Poti differs from the mountainous south. Strong winds can funnel out of the Rioni valley near Poti.
- Batumi and Kobuleti: Open coast
- Ureki and Poti: Open coast
Practical information
Currency
Georgian lari · GEL
Official languages
Georgian, Abkhazian (in Abkhazia)
Emergency contacts
General emergency number
112MRCC Georgia
The coasts of Ajara and Guria and the Poti area covered by the selected destinations. The Abkhazian coast requires separate consideration and is outside this guide.
+995 422 273 913VHF voice channel 16
Official resources
- Black Sea wind and waves · NIMH NIMH official portal with marine forecasts.
- Navigation information · MTA Georgia Notices and reporting arrangements; check current restrictions before departure.
- Maritime safety in the Black Sea · IMO IMO information on military risks and maritime safety in the region.
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Arriving on a private yacht
The coasts of Ajara and Guria and the Poti area covered by the selected destinations. The Abkhazian coast requires separate consideration and is outside this guide.
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Arrival from abroad
Arrange arrival in advance with the receiving port, border service and customs. Confirm the GEOREP reporting arrangements for your yacht with MRCC.
- Prepare the yacht registration, passports and a list of people aboard. Confirm the clearance location, required notices and each person’s entry conditions with the port.
- Yacht arrival clearance does not replace checks on each person’s right to enter. Tourist excursion boats do not establish that a checkpoint accepts foreign yachts.
Coastal passages
After initial clearance, confirm onward stops and reporting with the port and coastal authorities. Clearance in Batumi does not grant blanket access to every coast.
- The Abkhazian coast is outside this guide. A passage there requires a separate check of the legal regime and access.
Departure abroad
Before sailing, complete port, border and customs formalities and arrange the departure report.
- Confirm documents for the next port and the yacht’s status if the crew leaves by other transport.
The yacht and customs
Confirm the yacht’s temporary-admission period and conditions with customs. A person’s visa-free stay is not the vessel’s import period. Leaving the yacht without its owner or handing over command requires separate confirmation.
Information sources
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Georgia Travel — Weather and seasons
Sailing here
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UKHO — Black Sea and Sea of Azov Pilot, NP24, 2003
Sailing here
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Georgia Travel — Batumi
Sailing here
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Georgia Travel — Travel tips
Currency
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Constitution of Georgia, Article 2
Official languages
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Georgia 112 — When to call
Emergency contacts
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MTA — EPIRB registration form, revision 2
MRCC Georgia
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MTA — GEOREP reporting system
MRCC Georgia · Arrival from abroad · Coastal passages · Departure abroad
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Law of Georgia on the State Border
Arrival from abroad · Coastal passages · Departure abroad
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Customs Code of Georgia, Articles 69–70
Arrival from abroad · Departure abroad · The yacht and customs
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