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The Kerkennah Islands
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The Kerkennah Islands offer quiet shores, tidal wetlands, seafood and living fishing traditions reached by ferry from Sfax in southern Tunisia.

The Kerkennah Islands lie in the Gulf of Gabès, off the coast of southern Tunisia and reached by ferry from the mainland port of Sfax. This low-lying archipelago is formed chiefly by the inhabited islands of Chergui and Gharbi, together with smaller islets and tidal flats. Its shallow surrounding waters, sandy shores and salt-tolerant vegetation create a landscape quite unlike Tunisia’s mountainous north or desert interior. Travel here is shaped by the sea, the ferry timetable, long distances between settlements and the unhurried rhythm of island life.
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Remla is the principal settlement and administrative centre, while villages and hamlets such as El Abbassia, Mellita and Ouled Kacem reflect the islands’ dispersed character. Sidi Youssef, on the western side of the archipelago, is the ferry landing and the practical gateway for visitors. There is no large urban centre or dense resort strip: instead, the islands offer quiet roads, broad horizons, modest beaches and views across shallow water that changes colour and extent with the tide.
Kerkennah’s identity is closely linked to artisanal fishing. Islanders are known for distinctive low-impact fishing techniques, including fixed barrier traps made from palm fronds, traditionally called charfia. These installations work with the movement of the tides and form part of a wider maritime knowledge passed between generations. The surrounding shallows also support sea life and migratory birds, although the fragile coastal environment faces pressure from erosion, changing marine conditions and unsustainable fishing practices.
History is present in layers rather than grand monumental form. The islands were known in antiquity as Cercina or Cercinitis and occupied a useful position between the central Mediterranean and the southern Tunisian coast. At Borj El Hissar, archaeological remains and a later fortress evoke the archipelago’s strategic and maritime past. Mosques, palm-frond structures, fishing equipment and traditional houses are equally important to understanding Kerkennah, since much of its heritage remains embedded in working landscapes rather than enclosed museums.
Visitors should come for observation rather than a packed programme: a boat outing, a walk near the tidal flats, a seafood meal, a visit to a local market or a conversation about charfia fishing can be more revealing than a rapid circuit of sights. Accommodation is limited compared with mainland resort areas, and services are concentrated in a few settlements. The islands are best approached with patience, respect for local communities and awareness that their appeal lies in their distinct ecology and living culture.

When is the best time to visit The Kerkennah Islands?

Best: May–June, October · 24–28°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January1425
February1520
March1820
April2215
May (best)2410
June (best)285
July313
August325
September2915
October (best)2525
November1925
December1530

Getting to and around The Kerkennah Islands

How to get there

The normal route is to reach Sfax on Tunisia’s mainland and take the passenger and vehicle ferry to Sidi Youssef on the Kerkennah Islands. Sfax is connected to Tunis and other Tunisian cities by road and rail, and Sfax–Thyna International Airport is outside the islands and has a more limited international network than Tunis-Carthage Airport. Visitors arriving through Tunis usually continue south by train, road or domestic connection to Sfax, then plan the ferry separately. Check current sailing arrangements before travel, as services can change with weather and operational conditions.

Transportation

The islands are spread across low, mainly flat terrain, with roads linking Sidi Youssef, Remla and smaller settlements. Taxis and local transport are useful around the main villages, but services become less frequent away from populated areas. A car or hired vehicle provides more flexibility for reaching beaches, fishing areas and archaeological sites, although driving requires patience around ferry traffic and narrow rural roads. Cycling can be rewarding in the flat landscape, but shade, repair services and refreshments are limited. Arrange excursions and transfers locally rather than assuming that mainland-style public transport is available everywhere.

Best attractions in The Kerkennah Islands

The Kerkennah Islands’ attractions are modest in scale but distinctive in character. The chief draw is the maritime landscape: shallow channels, sandy shores, salt-tolerant vegetation and tidal flats that can be explored by boat or on foot with local guidance. Charfia fishing installations, traditionally constructed from palm fronds, reveal how generations of islanders have worked with tidal movement rather than against it. A boat trip can also provide an introduction to the archipelago’s marine environment and birdlife, although conditions and wildlife sightings vary seasonally. Borj El Hissar combines archaeological remains with a later defensive structure and offers one of the clearest historical points of reference on the islands. Remla and the smaller settlements are worth exploring for mosques, simple houses, workshops, cafés and everyday maritime activity rather than for monumental architecture. Visitors interested in traditional crafts can look for palm-leaf work and fishing-related artefacts, while coastal walks offer wide horizons and changing views as the tide recedes. There are no dense resort attractions or large entertainment complexes; the experience depends on local interpretation, patient observation and respect for a fragile, inhabited environment.

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Best landmarks in The Kerkennah Islands

Borj El Hissar is the archipelago’s principal historic landmark, standing on Gharbi amid evidence of earlier occupation. The fort’s surviving walls and archaeological setting reflect Kerkennah’s long relationship with maritime movement and coastal defence, although the site should be approached as a weathered historic landscape rather than a fully restored monument. Sidi Youssef port is a landmark of a different kind: its ferries, ramps, fishing boats and constant relationship with mainland Sfax make it the visible threshold between island life and Tunisia’s coast. The mosques and village streets of Remla and other settlements provide smaller but important markers of Kerkennah’s social history, with whitewashed forms, courtyards and practical buildings shaped by heat and sea exposure. Across the islands, charfia barriers are living landmarks rather than ruins. Their palm-frond lines, set across shallow waters, express a fishing system that is both visually distinctive and technically sophisticated. The broad tidal flats and low horizons are natural landmarks in their own right, changing markedly with light, wind and water level.

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Best restaurants in The Kerkennah Islands

Dining on the Kerkennah Islands centres on the produce of the surrounding sea and the straightforward cooking of local homes, cafés and small restaurants. Fish and octopus are prominent, while seafood couscous, grilled catches and dishes flavoured with harissa, olive oil and local herbs reflect the wider culinary culture of southern Tunisia. Seasonal availability matters: what appears on a menu depends on fishing conditions, conservation rules and the day’s landing. Traditional preparations may include dried or preserved seafood, and visitors can encounter local versions of Tunisian salads, brik and bread alongside island catches. Remla and the larger villages offer the greatest choice, while rural establishments may require advance arrangement or operate informally. Fresh produce arrives partly through mainland connections, so menus are less extensive than in Sfax. Ask about the source and season of seafood, eat at establishments serving a clear local clientele and carry cash for modest cafés, market purchases and family-run dining rooms.

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Best bars in The Kerkennah Islands

Nightlife on the Kerkennah Islands is quiet and community-focused rather than centred on nightclubs. Evenings are usually spent in cafés, seafood restaurants, hotel terraces or family-run venues, particularly around Remla and the ferry-connected settlements. Tea, coffee and conversation are more characteristic than a late-night club scene, while music and informal social activity may appear during holiday periods or summer visits without forming a permanent entertainment circuit. Alcohol is available in some licensed accommodation or restaurants but is not central to the islands’ evening culture. Visitors seeking a busy urban nightlife should remain in Sfax or Tunis rather than expect a resort strip on Kerkennah. The most rewarding evening activities are often a meal, a walk near the shore, observation of the changing light across the flats or a locally arranged gathering, always with consideration for residents and early ferry or fishing schedules.

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Best nightclubs in The Kerkennah Islands

Nightlife on the Kerkennah Islands is quiet and community-focused rather than centred on nightclubs. Evenings are usually spent in cafés, seafood restaurants, hotel terraces or family-run venues, particularly around Remla and the ferry-connected settlements. Tea, coffee and conversation are more characteristic than a late-night club scene, while music and informal social activity may appear during holiday periods or summer visits without forming a permanent entertainment circuit. Alcohol is available in some licensed accommodation or restaurants but is not central to the islands’ evening culture. Visitors seeking a busy urban nightlife should remain in Sfax or Tunis rather than expect a resort strip on Kerkennah. The most rewarding evening activities are often a meal, a walk near the shore, observation of the changing light across the flats or a locally arranged gathering, always with consideration for residents and early ferry or fishing schedules.

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Best shops in The Kerkennah Islands

Shopping on the Kerkennah Islands is centred on practical local goods, food and craft rather than extensive retail districts. Small shops and market stalls in Remla and the larger villages sell everyday provisions, Tunisian staples and seasonal seafood, while visitors may find dried fish, preserved products, olive oil and other foods suited to island cooking. Palm-leaf work, including baskets and household articles, reflects materials long used in the archipelago, although availability and quality vary between sellers. Fishing-related objects and locally made souvenirs can be interesting when purchased directly and ethically, but working equipment should not be treated as decorative merchandise without permission. There are no large shopping centres or substantial designer areas; Sfax is the more practical destination for a broad choice of clothing, electronics and specialist goods. Carry cash for small purchases, ask about provenance, and avoid buying archaeological pieces, protected marine life or items made from unsustainably collected shells.

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The Kerkennah Islands essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the Tunisian dinar (TND), used throughout Tunisia and not unique to the Kerkennah Islands. Cards and contactless payments may be accepted by larger hotels or established businesses, but small cafés, taxis, market stalls and village shops commonly require cash. Withdrawals and exchange facilities are more limited than in Sfax or Tunis, so carry a sensible amount of dinars while keeping money secure. Tunisian dinars are subject to export and exchange rules, so visitors should use authorised banks or exchange offices.
Safety
The main practical concerns are heat, sun exposure, limited shade, uneven coastal ground, ferry conditions and the remoteness of some island settlements. Take care near tidal channels, fish traps, slippery rocks and unguarded water, and do not enter working fishing installations without permission. Road users should expect pedestrians, scooters, animals and vehicles near villages. Keep valuables discreetly secured, use reputable transport and follow local advice about sea excursions. Swimming conditions can vary, and beaches may not have lifeguards or clearly marked hazards.
Emergency Situations
Tunisia’s national emergency arrangements apply on the Kerkennah Islands: call 197 for the police, 193 for the National Guard, 198 for Civil Protection and 190 for medical emergency assistance. Mobile coverage can vary near open water and remote shores, so keep your accommodation details and ferry information accessible. For serious incidents at sea, seek immediate help from the ferry crew, coastguard or local authorities. Visitors with medical needs should bring sufficient medication because specialist services and pharmacies are more limited than on the mainland.
Do's and Don'ts
Dress modestly in villages and near mosques, ask before photographing people or fishing activity, and respect private homes, boats, nets and charfia installations. Follow instructions at ferry ports and avoid walking across tidal areas without understanding the conditions. Do not remove shells, archaeological objects or fishing materials, and do not buy protected marine species. Tipping is discretionary rather than a fixed regional rule; round up or leave a modest amount when service merits it. Alcohol is not central to island life, and public behaviour should remain considerate.
Local Tips
Stay at least one night if possible, since a rushed ferry day trip gives little time to understand the islands’ dispersed settlements and changing light. Early morning is useful for observing fishing activity and avoiding the strongest heat. Ask accommodation hosts about reputable boat outings, seasonal seafood and accessible coastal walks. Remla is the most practical base for services, while Sidi Youssef is primarily a transport gateway. Keep plans flexible around tides and ferry operations, and treat the marine environment as a working landscape rather than simply a sightseeing backdrop.
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From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
Helloمرحبا[Marhba]
Goodbyeإلى اللقاء[Ila al-liqaa]
Yesنعم[Na'am]
Noلا[La]
Please/You're welcomeمن فضلك[Min fadlik]
Thank youشكرا[Shukran]
Excuse me/Sorryعفوا[Afwan]
How are you?كيف حالك؟[Kayfa halak?]
Fine. And you?بخير. وأنت؟[Bikhayr. Wa anta?]
Do you speak English?هل تتحدث الإنجليزية؟[Hal tatahaddath al-ingliziyya?]
I don't understandلا أفهم[La afham]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseأود رؤية القائمة، من فضلك[Awad ru'yat al-qa'ima, min fadlik]
I don't eat meatلا أأكل اللحم[La akul al-lahm]
Cheers!في صحتك![Fi sihatak!]
I would like to pay, pleaseأود الدفع، من فضلك[Awad al-daf'u, min fadlik]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!المساعدة![Al-musa'ada!]
Go away!اذهب بعيدا![Idhab ba'eedan!]
Call the Police!اتصل بالشرطة![Ittasil bil-shurta!]
Call a doctor!اتصل بالطبيب![Ittasil bil-tabeeb!]
I'm lostأنا ضائع[Ana da'ia]
I'm illأنا مريض[Ana marid]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...أود شراء...[Awad shira']
I'm just lookingأنا فقط أنظر[Ana faqat anzur]
How much is it?كم يكلف؟[Kam yukallif?]
That's too expensiveهذا غالي جدا[Hatha ghali jidan]
Can you lower the price?هل يمكنك تخفيض السعر؟[Hal yumkinuka takhfid al-si'r?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?كم الساعة؟[Kam al-sa'a?]
It's one o'clockالساعة واحدة[Al-sa'a wahida]
Half past (10)نصف الساعة (10)[Nisf al-sa'a (10)]
Morningصباحا[Sabahan]
Afternoonبعد الظهر[Ba'd al-zuhur]
Eveningمساء[Masa'a]
Yesterdayأمس[Ams]
Todayاليوم[Al-yawm]
Tomorrowغدا[Ghadan]
11[1]
22[2]
33[3]
44[4]
55[5]
66[6]
77[7]
88[8]
99[9]
1010[10]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?أين يوجد...؟[Ayn yujad...?]
What's the address?ما هو العنوان؟[Ma huwa al-'unwan?]
Can you show me (on the map)?هل يمكنك أن تريني (على الخريطة)؟[Hal yumkinuka an turini (ala al-kharita)?]
When's the next (bus)?متى يأتي (الحافلة) التالية؟[Mata yati (al-hafila) al-taliya?]
A ticket (to ....)تذكرة (إلى....)[Tadhkira (ila....)]

History of The Kerkennah Islands

Prehistoric and Early Maritime Settlement

The Kerkennah Islands’ low shores and position in the Gulf of Gabès supported human use from prehistoric times, although much of the archaeological evidence is scattered and vulnerable to coastal change. Their importance has always depended less on fertile inland territory than on access to shallow fishing grounds, salt-rich environments and sea routes. Boats, seasonal fishing and exchange with the nearby mainland helped connect the islands to wider communities long before the arrival of documented Mediterranean empires.

Cercina and the Punic-Roman Mediterranean

In antiquity the archipelago was known by names including Cercina and Cercinitis and was connected to the maritime world of Carthage and later Roman Africa. Ancient writers mention the islands in accounts of Mediterranean movement, and their position made them a useful stopping point between the Tunisian coast and other central Mediterranean routes. Archaeological remains, including those associated with Borj El Hissar, indicate settlement and strategic use over several centuries, although the surviving record is fragmentary.

Islamic and Medieval Island Communities

After the Arab-Muslim conquest of Ifriqiya, the Kerkennah Islands became part of the successive Islamic polities that governed Tunisia. Their communities remained oriented towards fishing, small-scale cultivation, maritime trade and links with coastal towns rather than large-scale urban development. The islands’ shallow waters encouraged specialised local techniques, while mosques, wells, palm use and dispersed settlements shaped a distinctive island society. Later fortifications at Borj El Hissar reflect the continuing strategic value of the coast.

Traditional Fishing and Charfia Knowledge

Over many generations, Kerkennah’s fishermen refined practices adapted to unusually shallow tidal waters. Charfia fishing uses fixed barriers, traditionally made with palm fronds, to guide fish into enclosed chambers as the tide moves. The method requires detailed knowledge of currents, seasons, seabed conditions and marine behaviour. It also illustrates how the islands’ cultural heritage is inseparable from ecology: the fishing landscape is both a working resource and a record of inherited technical knowledge.

The French Protectorate and the Modern Tunisian State

Tunisia became a French protectorate in 1881, bringing the Kerkennah Islands into a new administrative and economic framework while leaving local maritime livelihoods central to daily life. Connections with Sfax became increasingly important for trade, supplies, employment and migration. After Tunisian independence in 1956, improvements in public administration, transport and communications linked the islands more closely to the national economy, although their dispersed settlements and limited resources continued to distinguish them from mainland urban centres.

Contemporary Environmental and Social Change

Modern Kerkennah faces pressures shared by many low-lying Mediterranean islands: shoreline erosion, changing fish stocks, water constraints, waste management challenges and the effects of climate change. Migration and seasonal absence have also altered the social and economic pattern of some villages. At the same time, charfia fishing and the archipelago’s marine environment have gained wider recognition as heritage requiring careful stewardship. Contemporary tourism is therefore closely connected to conservation, responsible seafood consumption and support for local livelihoods.

The Kerkennah Islands in Photos

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to The Kerkennah Islands

Discover The Kerkennah Islands with Evendo, your 100% free app-based travel guide. Explore attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, and more.

  • Detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, and experiences.
  • Rich set of information including images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details.
  • Easy booking for hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences.
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More about the Evendo app

Evendo is the ultimate app-based travel guide for The Kerkennah Islands, Tunisia. Enjoy detailed information, local tips, and easy bookings for a seamless travel experience.

  • History of The Kerkennah Islands and travel essentials.
  • Local advice to make the most out of your visit.
  • Easy navigation through the app and the destination.
  • 'Near Me' feature to see nearby attractions.
  • Curated local tips for an authentic experience.
  • 100% free with no in-app purchases.

Welcome to The Kerkennah Islands, a hidden gem off the coast of Tunisia. With Evendo, your ultimate travel companion, you can explore this stunning archipelago like never before. From its pristine beaches to its rich historical sites, Evendo provides you with comprehensive guides on all the best attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, and experiences. Imagine strolling through the picturesque streets of El Attaya, visiting the iconic Borj El Hissar, or dining at the renowned Sidi Fredj restaurant. Evendo not only offers detailed descriptions and images but also local tips, maps, and contact details to help you plan and organize your trip effortlessly.

Whether you're interested in booking a hotel, a guided tour, or an unforgettable experience, Evendo has it all in one place. No more endless searching for what to see and do - Evendo simplifies everything with easy navigation and a 'Near Me' feature to show you attractions around your location. The app even includes travel essentials and the history of The Kerkennah Islands to enrich your visit. And the best part? Evendo is 100% free with no in-app purchases or additional costs. Plus, you can use Evendo for over 7,000 other destinations worldwide. So, download Evendo today and have the world in your pocket.

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