Moroccan Info

[WannabePirate]

Hi again!

I’ve done a search, but it appears it’s time for 2023s Moroccan post, if there’s any new info!

I’m on an old gaff sailing from Lisbon to Canaries, though the captain is quite keen on going to Morocco; as are the crew.

We were thinking of Safi/Essaouria way. Reading old threads though it sounds like we may struggle with a 2.5m keel in these ports?

How is security there recently?

Cheers!

 

[Stingo]

www.noonsite.com usually has up-to-date info

 

[Adios]

You mean security as in political instability or locking your boat? If the former Morocco is a really safe country to travel. The police come down really hard on anyone hassling tourists. If the latter then actually its very low crime as well compared to Europe.

Essaouria is more used to tourists than Safi. I've only been there by road but have been to both places and I think the port at Essaouria is closer to where you want to be in the town and a much nicer place to visit (old Portugese fort town) with more places to eat, the port is a fishing port, while Safi I think is more industrial. I'd 100% go to Essaouria if can only go to one.

 

[Roberto]

Information dated about 10yo, I called at most ports Tangiers to Agadir (except Mehdia/Kenitra which was silted at the time). Safi is one of the few all-weather ports, very massive tetrapod breakwave, not a lot inside, we rafted to the fishing school ship and they gave us a lot of information about all the sorts of variously coloured flashing lights one meets along the coast, they said no surface driftng nets and we never saw any.
Essaouira very nice though touristy, visitors usually raft alongside the massive Rescue Vessel, no problems with draft.
Every port has fishing vessels of a different colour, Essaouira is light blue.
Should I ever go that route again, I will stop at all ports south of Agadir, hopefully Mauritania too which was off limits last time.
Places one either loves or hates.

 

[ashtead]

Always found personal security in Morocco good as a tourist - the only thing you might find is poorly paid officials looking for a facilitation payment to speed up deliveries. Probably safer than walking through some parts of France

 

[penfold]

Always found personal security in Morocco good as a tourist - the only thing you might find is poorly paid officials looking for a facilitation payment to speed up deliveries. Probably safer than walking through some parts of France

Sounds a lot like Djibouti.

 

[GHA]

Some good sources online now

https://www.noforeignland.com/
Maps of the anchorages and marinas on Navily

 

[capnsensible]

I've found that the officials in lots of Moroccan ports have been polite andd not asking for something 'for the pocket' as they used to years ago.

Can be very slow and long winded in their procedures though.

The only place we had someone stay aboard to guard against theft was Safi on the advice of a yacht moored nearby that had stuff nicked. Interesting ashore though.

Favourite is Agadir although it's a tourist spot and quite westernised. Good links to visit inland.

Wished I'd gone to but didn't, Rabat. Everyone I know who has rates it highly. Beware shoaling entrance rollers. Marina will provide a guide. A must.

I bypassed Atlantic Morocco a few times until others explained what I was missing and I get it now! Lots to enjoy.

 

[Stingo]

Considering the replies here, I think Morocco is now on my bucket list.
Thanks, all.

 

[capnsensible]

Considering the replies here, I think Morocco is now on my bucket list.
Thanks, all.

I've not been in the new marina at Tangiers but it has a good reputation.

Should you be in the Med side of the Straits, try Marina Smir. Went there loads of times. Bonkers but very enjoyable. Well worth a taxi to Tetouan and dine in the old souk. Fab.

 

[Stingo]

I've not been in the new marina at Tangiers but it has a good reputation.

Should you be in the Med side of the Straits, try Marina Smir. Went there loads of times. Bonkers but very enjoyable. Well worth a taxi to Tetouan and dine in the old souk. Fab.

Thanks for the tip. Need to find an affordable AWC first, which is proving to be more challenging than I'd hoped.