Soccer and handball, the most followed sports
Soccer. Soccer is the king of sports! The Carthage Eagles, the national team, unleash passions all over the country when they're out and about. Particularly when they qualify for major international competitions. The Eagles have taken part in the World Cup 6 times, most recently in 2022, and have enjoyed a fine run at the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN). Finalists in 1965 and 1996, they won the trophy on home soil against Morocco in 2004. Then, after a rollercoaster ride of results, the Tunisians returned to the forefront and once again reached the semi-finals at the 2019 edition. As far as clubs are concerned, the two Tunis teams, Esperance Sportive and Club Africain, are the most popular and successful in the country. The capital's derbies are red hot!
Handball. Handball is the team sport in which Tunisia is most competitive at international level, ranking among the world's top nations. Ten-time African champions, the Eagles regularly qualify for the Olympic Games and World Championships.
Very popular board games
It is very common to see men playing backgammon or dominoes in cafés at the end of the day. Tunisians also play a lot of cards, including belote and the two most popular card games: scopa, a game of Italian origin, and rummy.
A diving destination
The country's waters abound in unusual places and surprising depths. They are among the richest in fish and best preserved in the Mediterranean basin, and some 200 wrecks can be found along the Tunisian coast! The best dives are from May to October. Underwater fauna includes dolphins, groupers, sars, dorados, rays and sponges. Underwater hunting is regulated and grouper hunting is strictly prohibited. Tunisia is the ideal destination for starting out in diving: proximity, diversity of fauna, flora and wrecks.
You can easily book your dives on the spot. If you prefer to take a complete package, many specialized diving agencies offer affordable packages. Most diving centers are supervised by C.M.A.S. certified instructors.
Tabarka region. The reputation of ancient Thabraca was built on the beauty of its corals and the abundance of its groupers. With over twenty sites, diving is the number one activity here. Everywhere, the protection of the seabed has encouraged the evolution of an abundant and colorful fauna and flora. These include the grotte aux pigeons (pigeon grotto), a site rich in fauna with rocky depths from 3 to 15 m, ideal for beginners; the numerous tunnels with gorgonian-fringed walls and populated by groupers, lobsters and wolves; and the rocher des Mérous (grouper rock), a site populated by gorgonians, sea urchins of various colors, large octopus, moray eels and, as the name suggests, shy groupers that can weigh up to 40 kg! The town also hosts the annual Coralis Festival, an international festival of marine and underwater images (formerly the Underwater Photography Festival) held in early September.
Île de la Galite. More than 50 km from the nearest coast, the island is a 3-hour sail from Tabarka. The archipelago comprises seven islands with similar names, the main ones being Gallo, Galline, Galiton and la Galite. This is Tunisia's most northerly point. Between the mainland and the islands, depths of no more than 200 m are recorded. Divers are well acquainted with the marvellous surroundings of this archipelago, the last haunt of a colony of monk seals, unique in the Mediterranean and of course protected (they usually camp on Galiton Island). In July 1980, by decree of the French Ministry of Agriculture, the Galiton de l'Ouest was classified as an "integral nature reserve".
East coast. Kelibia is home to a large number of shipwrecks. In Hammamet, you'll find a few spots for beginners and some fine wrecks, such as the Alaz and the Takrouna. In Nabeul, you can dive the Odysea rock to see groupers or the Salome wreck, which lies at 18 m.
Other interesting sites in Tunisia include Bizerte, Port El Kantaoui, Monastir, Mahdia, Djerba and Zarzis (wrecks, caves, rocky bottoms...).
Sports galore
Hiking. It's not the first sport you'd think of... wrongly so! Between the superb meharées possible, in complete safety, in the Sahara desert, the green walks in the forests of Kroumirie in the north of the country, and the long wild hikes in the superb mountain desert, the Dahar, the landscapes are varied and the options numerous, so take note!
Kitesurfing. The island of Djerba is fast becoming a benchmark for kitesurfing in the Mediterranean basin. The best spots are to be found here, and a number of centers offer lessons and equipment hire: an excellent way to discover or perfect the sport, and at very reasonable prices. The majority of kite clubs are located between Aghir and El Kantara in the south-east of the island. The wind is almost always on shore, so there's no problem launching your kite, and you're often right in the lagoon. In short, ideal conditions!
Water sports. As in all major seaside tourist destinations, water sports are available all along the coastline: jet-skiing, water-skiing, wakeboarding, parasailing, towed buoys, etc. Beach days are sure to be busy!
Fishing. In Sfax, the Kerkennah Islands, Djerba or the Gulf of Gabès, you can go fishing with the locals. Beautiful fish, octopus and sponges are on the menu! No permit is required.
