With commercial flights disrupted by the war with Iran, many Israelis have found themselves stranded abroad or unable to leave the country, scrambling for alternative routes in and out.
A Facebook group titled “Israelis Helping Israelis Stranded to Return Home” has sprung up to connect travelers with possible solutions. At the same time, several sailing clubs have begun organizing what they call “rescue sailings” between Israel and Cyprus.
Among them is the Sailor Yacht Club and sailing school, which offers crossings from Herzliya Marina to Cyprus and back at 1,500 euros per person. Despite the price — and the fact that sea conditions are not considered ideal for a roughly 30-hour voyage this season — demand has surged, according to the club.
“We’re receiving thousands of inquiries,” said Amit, one of the owners. The first boat was scheduled to depart around 3 p.m. Sunday from Herzliya.
He described the trip as far from a leisure cruise. The yacht has three double cabins, but passengers should expect long hours in open water, no cellphone reception and potentially rough seas. Amit said he speaks personally with each prospective passenger to ensure they understand the conditions before committing.
Other operators have launched similar initiatives. The DreamSail sailing school said it is running crossings from Israel to Cyprus as well as return trips. In a statement, the company said the voyages are led by experienced skippers, equipped with full safety gear and professionally managed, and are intended for those seeking a safe way to travel while air traffic remains disrupted.
First published: 02:49, 03.01.26