This list ranks harbours solely by their natural average and maximum depths. Artificially deepened
deep water ports are excluded unless their depth is primarily natural. Other characteristics such as surface area, catchment, or shipping volume are not considered.
Depth rationale For the purposes of this list, a deep natural harbour is defined as having a minimum natural depth of approximately , sufficient to accommodate most large commercial and naval vessels without major dredging. This threshold reflects the typical
draft requirements of
Panamax and Post-Panamax
container ships, which range from depending on capacity and loading.
Harbour definition A harbour is defined as a sheltered coastal
body of water with sufficient depth to support safe
anchorage and developed port operations, regularly used for
mooring,
cargo handling, or
naval activities. A natural harbour is identified not only by its geographic formation, but also by its functional use without requiring extensive dredging. Natural harbours may occur within fjords, lagoons, or straits, but not all deep coastal features qualify. For example, some fjords or straits may have significant depth but lack developed port facilities or regular anchorage, and are therefore excluded. Conversely, many qualifying harbours are located within fjord-like environments.
Note: The table below is sortable. By default, entries are listed alphabetically. To sort by depth, location, or other fields, click the arrow icon at the top of the relevant column. ==References==