The Sea of Galilee is known for its sudden storms, which are caused by moderate easterly or westerly winds. A few natural anchorage sites are found on the northern shores of the lake. About 300 m northeast of Tabgha, a small natural bay termed ‘Hale’ by local fishermen, provides shelter from southerly and northerly winds. Another small bay termed "Amnun-Bay" is situated between Capernaum and the Jordan river outlet. One-holed stone-anchors (5-40 kg) were discovered on the bottom of these natural anchorages. In addition, the outlets of the rivers Zaki and Jordan near Beit-Saida, and the old outlet of the River Jordan north of Tel Beit-Yerah may have provided some shelter for sea-going vessels.                      

However, in order to maintain maritime activity in the lake, suitable harbors were needed. Stone-built harbors have been discovered around the lake’s shores since the 1970's, in Kfar- Akavia, Gergesa (Kursi), Ein-Gofra, Susita (Hippos), Duerban, Gadera, Beit-Yerah, Kinneret, Seinabris, Tiberias, Ammaus, Magdala, Gennesar, Tabha, Capernaum and Aish. The harbors are built from small and medium-size undressed-stones (1-50 kg) and in some cases, building stones in secondary use and broken stone artifacts (millstones, grinding-stones, cup-marks, bowls) that could have been carried off by hand. In some of the harbors perforated mooring stones (weighing 30-150 kg) were found. The elevations of most of the harbor's foundations range between -211 to -212 m.