A new weekend ferry service connecting St. George/Zaitunay Bay in Beirut to Batroun Port begins this weekend, offering an alternative to coastal highway travel.
Cedar Waves, the operator of international ferry routes from Jounieh Port, has launched a seasonal service between Beirut and Batroun that begins this weekend. The ferry will run on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the summer, with departures from St. George/Zaitunay Bay in Beirut to Batroun Port. The voyage takes approximately one hour.
The Saturday schedule includes departures at 10 am and 6 pm, with return trips at 4 pm and 1 am. One-way tickets are priced at $20, with round-trip fares at $40. Passengers can book through the company's ticketing system.
The service offers an alternative to the coastal highway route, which experiences significant weekend congestion. By taking the ferry, travelers avoid the stress of driving and the complications of finding parking or arranging valet services. The journey also allows passengers to view Lebanon's coastline from the Mediterranean.
Cedar Waves positioned the ferry as more than a commuter service, marketing it as a tourism experience. The company sees the route as offering visitors a distinctive perspective of Lebanon's coastal geography and a recreational weekend activity separate from everyday transportation needs.
The ferry service addresses a persistent traffic problem on weekends, particularly for those heading to Batroun, a popular summer destination. The approximately one-hour sea journey provides an alternative that eliminates the delays commonly experienced on the highway during peak weekend travel times.
The pricing reflects the experience component rather than pure transportation economics. At $20 one-way, the cost is higher than driving but includes the benefit of avoiding vehicle operation, fuel consumption, and parking expenses associated with conventional travel to the northern coastal town.
Cedar Waves' expansion from Jounieh Port to this new Beirut-Batroun route signals growing interest in maritime passenger transport along Lebanon's coast. The summer-only schedule allows the operator to focus on peak tourism season when leisure travel to coastal destinations is highest.
The service provides a concrete transportation option for residents and visitors seeking alternatives to road travel during congested periods. As the route operates only on weekends and during summer months, its viability will depend on passenger demand and operational consistency throughout the season.
The ferry's success could influence future maritime transport initiatives along the Lebanese coast. The route demonstrates that there is market appetite for alternatives to highway travel, particularly for journeys to popular leisure destinations where weekend traffic congestion is predictable and severe.
