Algarve to Rabat and back in the Spring

[webcraft]

Getting there looks relatively easy, lots of weather windows.

How about getting back though?

— W

 

[BobnLesley]

Try to make sure there's not going to be any serious swell running when you arrive at Rabat; Bouragreg was a lovely marina, but the entrance soon gets hairy. We sailed south from there, but we met a lot of yotties who were heading back north, so I'm guessing it's not too unpleasant; it was only about 100M back to Gib Strait, though it will of course be further and require more westing to reach the Algarve.

 

[mikefleetwood]

Rabat looks quite pretty from offshore. But deep sandy shelf for quite some way off, so swell builds onto a very exposed shore. A few years ago I spent several weeks drilling holes for survey in 2-3m swell and not much under the keel! We lost a positioning anchor and broke a drill string - fortunately neither was "my department". We had to send divers down to find the drill string so we could retrieve it - once the swell had reduced. Our vessel toilets all discharged direct to sea - the divers were not impressed!

Go to Casablanca if you can, although I understand it's not very yacht-friendly. Have a drink or three at Rick's Bar, shop in the Medina visit the Mosque (you can see it for miles!).

 

[capnsensible]

Not been into Rabat, I feel like I missed out there as people I've spoken to rate it highly. Recommend marina pilot, a friend had his yacht knocked flat and damaged his rudder....

I'm quite familiar with that coast from the Straits. The forecasts online are fairly reliable.....rarely have frontal depressions wobbling around to irritate forecasters. When it does blow, it will be from the north mostly, so usually a nice ride down but a lot of tacking to get back uphill against prevailing wind and current. Good news is that there are a lot of calm days to get your homeward bounders in with the engine. Mohammedia is a safe pit stop. Also Tangier before crossing the Straits.

Worth remembering there's a lot of angry blubber around during the tuna season that starts around early April.

Once past the Straits southbound, its quite pleasant close inshore but watch out for poorly marked pots and nets plus a zillion fishing boats, a lot handling. I generally do an opening route over night and back in closer during the day.

Hope it goes well, sounds like a great place. One day!

 

[RupertW]

I loved Rabat - the cities both sides after we unexpectedly found ourselves having to call there.

Most amazing restaurant hidden behind a plain door in the souk. All courtyards and hidden rooms and lots of other great places.

Marina very professional and French.

Using the pilot boat both ways was a must - particularly where the outer meets the inner harbour.

 

[john_morris_uk]

We were turned away from Casablanca a couple of years ago. They were fairly blunt about it but as we were running low on fuel and it was flat calm with a three metre swell they found us a spot in a commercial dock. (Anchors out fore and aft to hold us off the dock wall!). There’s a marina on the chart but it’s ’under construction’ and has been that way for years.

Rabat was closed due to the swell but Mohamedia found us a berth. It was ok except I got food poisoning!

 

[dansaskip]

Rabat, a fascinating place sailing up the river between two medieval walled towns, you knew you were arriving somewhere very different, was it even this century - yes do call the Pilot via the marina and they will come out to meet you and guide you in - or tell you if the swell is bad and hence port closed. Don't be put off if they do not answer at first but for me they came out and told me they would be back in a hour when there would be enough water. All the officials I encountered very polite and helpful. Plenty of places to eat including roadside stalls in the souk for delicious Tagines, and don't miss out visiting the Kasbah des Oudayas

 

[Roberto]

Raw video of the entrance (taken about 15 years ago), the small ''pilot'' boat is quickly visible at seconds 3-4; yours truly at the helm quite grumpy as the pilot had said ''come on come on no problems'', then right at the entrance the boat surfed a wave while the sounder went 3- 2.7- 2.5 - 2.1 - 2.0 in a fraction of a second.

 

[webcraft]

Just been looking at Windy - the next fortnight is pretty much all good for sailing Lagos to Rabat, but swell is consistently 2m+

Is this pretty standard in the Winter? Don't want to sail 200nm then not be able to get in.