For all its island feel, Djerba is barely separated from the mainland. In the south-east, a causeway about 7 km long carries the road from El Kantara to the Zarzis peninsula. Its origins go back to antiquity — hence its popular name, the “Roman causeway” — although the present road is modern. Near El Kantara lie the scattered remains of Meninx, the island’s main Roman town.
In the south-west, the fishing town of Ajim faces the mainland village of Jorf across a strait only a couple of kilometres wide. Ferries shuttle back and forth all day, and for travellers heading towards Gabès, Matmata or Tunis this is often the quicker route.
Neither crossing is a sight in its own right, but both are part of the experience of Djerba — and you will use one or the other on any trip to the Sahara.
Top things to do: El Kantara Causeway & Ajim Ferry
Drive the causeway
The road runs almost straight across shallow water with sea on both sides — a striking drive, especially early in the morning. There are few safe places to stop, so enjoy it from the car.
Take the Ajim–Jorf ferry
The crossing takes around a quarter of an hour. Foot passengers and cars are carried; at busy times — summer weekends and holidays — expect queues for vehicles. Fares are low.
Look around Ajim
Ajim is a working fishing and sponge-diving town. Its harbour is busy with small boats in the morning, and its waterfront appeared briefly in Star Wars.
How to get to El Kantara Causeway & Ajim Ferry
- El Kantara: about 30 km from Houmt Souk and 20–30 minutes from the southern end of the Zone Touristique.
- Ajim: about 22 km south-west of Houmt Souk, 25–30 minutes by taxi.
- Onwards: from the causeway the road continues to Zarzis and Medenine; from Jorf it continues towards Gabès and Matmata.
Insider tips
- If you are driving to Matmata, compare the ferry and the causeway routes on the day — ferry queues can add an hour in peak season.
- Organised Sahara tours handle the crossing for you.
- Louages (shared taxis) to the mainland leave from Houmt Souk and Ajim.
Best tours for El Kantara Causeway & Ajim Ferry
These well-reviewed experiences are the easiest way to see El Kantara Causeway & Ajim Ferry:
Island tour from €27 Island Highlights Tour with Hotel Pickup
A guided loop of the island that adds the causeway to the mainland to the usual Guellala–El Ghriba–Djerbahood circuit, with hotel pickup.
- The Roman causeway at El Kantara
- A pottery demonstration in Guellala
- El Ghriba and a stroll through Djerbahood
Day trip from €47 From Djerba: Tataouine, Chenini, Star Wars Sites & Ksour
The most popular full-day trip from the island: across the causeway to the hills of the Dahar, with fortified granaries, the cliff village of Chenini and a Star Wars filming location.
- The fortified granaries (ksour) of the south
- The Berber hill village of Chenini
- A Star Wars location and a desert sunset
