Close hauled
Member
I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has visited marina Smir in Morocco in the last few years. We thought that we might spend a week there in September on our way south.
Marina Smir, Morocco
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jerrytug
N/A
Four year old info, but I remember it well,
The buoys are a bit odd going in
No problems tying up or anything,security fine. The first thing you notice is the Moroccan customs cutter, and a heap of bullet-riddled speedboats they had 'intercepted' in the Strait..
Friendly staff, you have to fill in a form.
You are meant to have a medical test, but when the Muslim doctor was confronted by our 3 scantily clad (for Morocco) ladies, he was so confused he signed us all off without any checks
NO BEER available (but our skipper had a copious supply anyway)
Nothing to do in Smir, but we piled into an old Merc taxi and went to a souk in the nearest city I forget the name, it was facsinating, and we took tea with a carpet seller, bought some spices etc, all ridiculously cheap, even paying white man prices.
When we left, we first had to fill in more forms to leave the country, then we set off, but the wind got up in the Strait so we pulled back in to Smir.
Then when we wanted to leave again, there was a lot of head-scratching as the forms said we had already gone, but all resolved quickly.
I would totally recommend it to anybody, it's an easy run from Gib but a different world and nothing to be worried about. Thanks Paul and Hilary.
A week might be a bit long actually, though
Have a nice one Jerry
Simondjuk
Active member
I spent one night there in about 2008 if I recall correctly. Big, mostly empty, marina with basic but adequate facilities and a smartly uniformed official who seemed keen to rubber stamp as many passports and documents as possible, at that time surrounded by half-finished buildings. There was a bar nearby though. I do remember that. Not sure what else was in the vicinity as finding the bar rather curtailed my exploration.
Things may have changed, but based on my fleeting impression, it's not somewhere I'd plan to spend a week.
Things may have changed, but based on my fleeting impression, it's not somewhere I'd plan to spend a week.
capnsensible
Well-known member
Hiya.
I go to Marina Smir about 20 odd times a year so have got to know the place well
Straightforward entrance, all tides, sometimes being dredged. Stay to the starboard side nearest breakwater. Avoid in strong easterlies when the swell makes it rather lively!
The medical check mentioned by Jerrytug was a temporary routine when the flu thing as on, not a normal requirement. (Was that Paul and Hilary on Pax, by he way???)
Very busy with small motor boats during July and August, otherwise quiet.
Go to reception with ships papers and passports, see Girls in office to get berth, fill in form. Nip round corner to Police who will clear you in, takes 10 minutes. Same to leave, office first to pay, then Police.
Berth probably stern to. Showers and heads fairly clean but falling to bits. Useable tho you are not fussy.
Fab beach next to marina. Skimpy ok but not topless!!
Nearby hotel has swimming pool and bar.
Several restaurants on site, only the end one, Café Paris has booze but a bit pricey.
Tour Guide Achmed is an old friend and will arrange tours. Chefchauen is a long ride up to the mountains, but most times I go there, we nip along to Tetouan. Half hour in cab wander round souk then dine at small, fascinating hotel, El Reducto. Moroccan scran, Spanish owned.
If you like low key, its great for a few days. A week my be a bit long, but Ceuta to the north (Spanish Enclave) is another good 2 day visit.
Do PM if you have any questions.
CS
I go to Marina Smir about 20 odd times a year so have got to know the place well
Straightforward entrance, all tides, sometimes being dredged. Stay to the starboard side nearest breakwater. Avoid in strong easterlies when the swell makes it rather lively!
The medical check mentioned by Jerrytug was a temporary routine when the flu thing as on, not a normal requirement. (Was that Paul and Hilary on Pax, by he way???)
Very busy with small motor boats during July and August, otherwise quiet.
Go to reception with ships papers and passports, see Girls in office to get berth, fill in form. Nip round corner to Police who will clear you in, takes 10 minutes. Same to leave, office first to pay, then Police.
Berth probably stern to. Showers and heads fairly clean but falling to bits. Useable tho you are not fussy.
Fab beach next to marina. Skimpy ok but not topless!!
Nearby hotel has swimming pool and bar.
Several restaurants on site, only the end one, Café Paris has booze but a bit pricey.
Tour Guide Achmed is an old friend and will arrange tours. Chefchauen is a long ride up to the mountains, but most times I go there, we nip along to Tetouan. Half hour in cab wander round souk then dine at small, fascinating hotel, El Reducto. Moroccan scran, Spanish owned.
If you like low key, its great for a few days. A week my be a bit long, but Ceuta to the north (Spanish Enclave) is another good 2 day visit.
Do PM if you have any questions.
CS
capnsensible
Well-known member
The reception dock is to the right of the camel.
jerrytug
N/A
Great photo, yes it was Pax
capnsensible
Well-known member
Small world! Known em for years.
st599
Well-known member
Four year old info, but I remember it well,
The buoys are a bit odd going in
No problems tying up or anything,security fine. The first thing you notice is the Moroccan customs cutter, and a heap of bullet-riddled speedboats they had 'intercepted' in the Strait..
Friendly staff, you have to fill in a form.
You are meant to have a medical test, but when the Muslim doctor was confronted by our 3 scantily clad (for Morocco) ladies, he was so confused he signed us all off without any checks
NO BEER available (but our skipper had a copious supply anyway)
Nothing to do in Smir, but we piled into an old Merc taxi and went to a souk in the nearest city I forget the name, it was facsinating, and we took tea with a carpet seller, bought some spices etc, all ridiculously cheap, even paying white man prices.
When we left, we first had to fill in more forms to leave the country, then we set off, but the wind got up in the Strait so we pulled back in to Smir.
Then when we wanted to leave again, there was a lot of head-scratching as the forms said we had already gone, but all resolved quickly.
I would totally recommend it to anybody, it's an easy run from Gib but a different world and nothing to be worried about. Thanks Paul and Hilary.
A week might be a bit long actually, though
Have a nice one Jerry
Been there quite a few times. Beer is available, but you need to know who to ask.
Tetouan is interesting, Chefchouaen is a UNESCO world heitage site and better.
Never had a problem getting in during daylight.
dslittle
Well-known member
The camel wasn't there when we went (and it isn't shown in the Straits Sailing Guide!!!)
capnsensible
Well-known member
I will instruct my assistant to put that photo in next year!
dslittle
Well-known member
Grehan
Well-known member
Also spent some days there a few years ago. Regatta weekend from Gib and then a lift-out, clean off and antifoul.
It does feel isolated, but it also operates with a surprising degree of professionalism (apologies if that sounds patronising). We were really quite impressed.
The lift-out was done properly and carefully using a big travel-lift and Mohammed (I think) who cleaned off the hull was exceptionally thorough. The yard/hard itself was also pretty clean (although not as squeaky clean as Calpe, which is by far the cleanest yard we've ever been in). Absolutely no chandlery stuff, materials, spares, tools etc.
View attachment 42931
(yes, she's a Southerly)
It does feel isolated, but it also operates with a surprising degree of professionalism (apologies if that sounds patronising). We were really quite impressed.
The lift-out was done properly and carefully using a big travel-lift and Mohammed (I think) who cleaned off the hull was exceptionally thorough. The yard/hard itself was also pretty clean (although not as squeaky clean as Calpe, which is by far the cleanest yard we've ever been in). Absolutely no chandlery stuff, materials, spares, tools etc.
View attachment 42931
(yes, she's a Southerly)
capnsensible
Well-known member
There is Mohammed the cleaner, Mohammed the painter, Mohammed the carpenter, Mohammed the foreman and.......Omar the electrician.
stiknstring
Member
All exactly as Capnsensible said. We went last August (our only nav issue was intense fog and the presence of many, many small wooden fishing boats on the approach). At marina, all very friendly. Ahmed will find you (he is very keen and actually very useful). Tetouan is a great trip. Almost empty when we were there, so we had the pick of the moorings. We went side to and it was fine. Security is a little suspect, but Ahmed said he would put someone on it. Not sure about that but nothing happened.
Agree that a week might be a long time there - we stayed 3 days and that was enough.
The beach is certainly nice, but the sand is a little dirty. The water blissful. Take your own hooch, it is difficult to find
Oh and watch that camel - it bit my son on the head!
Agree that a week might be a long time there - we stayed 3 days and that was enough.
The beach is certainly nice, but the sand is a little dirty. The water blissful. Take your own hooch, it is difficult to find
Oh and watch that camel - it bit my son on the head!
st599
Well-known member
I was tehre for the 4th time last year.
They seem to be building an awful lot of luxury hotels on that coast road.
They seem to be building an awful lot of luxury hotels on that coast road.
capnsensible
Well-known member
Our cab driver on Thursday was called, yup, Mohammed.
To avoid confusion, the King (who I met once, briefly, sort of) is called Mohammed IV.
To avoid confusion, the King (who I met once, briefly, sort of) is called Mohammed IV.
GrahamM376
New member
Is he one of the crazies Ahmed ropes in?
capnsensible
Well-known member
Yeah, the usual guy was off on another trip.