Advice on trip to Gibraltar please?

[peterb26]

Now we have the boat at Lagos, I thought we could take a trip to Gibraltar as its somewhere neither of us has been.

Its about 210nm if you hug the coastline. And I'd like to do it in 3 of 70nm legs so SWMBO doesnt get stressed and we can limit motoring to perhaps 3.5 hours each day.

This puts the two stopping places in the vicinities of Huelva and Cadiz.

Can anyone give any advice on the nicest Marinas to stop at on the way (I will need to fuel up once) - and also a bit about Gib itself and where to stay.l

Many thanks

 

[capnsensible]

Hiya, heres a few worth trying that I have visited, will need a bit of juggling with the daily mileage though.
Chipiona at the entrance to the river that goes up to Seville. Full service marina, very functional but right next to an old fashioned Spanish town. Cheap, good food, no tourists, lovely beach.
Rota, north side of the bay of Cadiz. Again, functional marina, but lovely old town right outside the gates. Not at all blighted by the nearby American base. Brilliant Irish bar just outside the marina built into the old town walls. Excellent Gallician Restaurant in town, 15 min walk. Lovely beach.
Sancti Petri just up the river to the south of the bay. Entrance needs some care following transits, strong currents but worth it. Mid stream visitors buoys, good shore facilities in marina. Excellent water taxi service. No tourists, basic restaurants but probably the most interesting place in the whole area.
Barbatte at the entrance to the Straits. Horrible looking marina but very sheltered. Town is a bit of a walk but the atmosphere of the place grows on you. Try the restaurant right under the lighthouse, El Faro. Also new yacht club and restaurant in marina. Bus or taxi ride to Cape Trafalgar is a good day out.
Hope this helps.

 

[Renegade_Master]

Hi when you come into Gib turn to starboard at the end of the north mole, the runway will be on your port side. You may want some fuel so proceed till you see two fuel stations BP & Shell on the starboard side. This is right opposite Marina Bay. Then whilst you fill up you can call Marina Bay on Ch 71 (they will ask you to go to 68) and book yourself in.

Once moored you will need to go to the Marina Bay office to sign in customs declaration etc, take your passports and ships papers. Marina Bay is pretty resonable.

May be prudent to phone Marina Bay a couple of days in advance and book her in, their number is 00350 73300 good luck

P.S. drop the spanish flag on entering Gib

 

[peterb26]

Thanks very much chaps - thats whetted my appetite even more.

 

[peterb26]

CapnSensible, Looking at the mileages, and depending on the weather - we are going to do:-

Lagos - Vila Real de San Antonio on Day 1
VR to Chipiona on Day 2.
Possibly Chipiona to Barbate on Day 3 or if we are pushed for time or weather - just go direct from Chipiona to Gib.

Then on the way back - alter the route slightly to take in Sancti Petri and miss out Chipiona.

Thanks for your inputs.