Obock- Travel Tips

What to See, How to Plan & Tours

Obock, a small port town on the northern shore of the Gulf of Tadjoura, was the site of the first French colony in the region, established in 1862 through a treaty with local Afar rulers. Initially chosen as a coaling station for steamships, its significance grew with the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869. However, due to its exposed anchorage, the colonial administration relocated to Djibouti in 1894, leading to a decline in population. Today, Obock serves as a key transit point for migrants seeking opportunities in the Arabian Peninsula and for refugees fleeing conflict in Yemen.