Sailing to Morocco

[oliverkinchin]

Hello,

We are currently in Cascais (Portugal) heading to the Canaries for the start of the ARC. We would like to visit Morocco on our way down and although we have read Noonsite there still seems to be limited information on the best places to visit.

I wondered if anyone has any information they could share with us on the best places to stay that have facilities and are safe.

Thank you again,

Oliver (www.magneticdeviation.wordpress.com)

 

[capnsensible]

Found it safe everywhere. Bit beaurocratic on entry, be prepared to hang about and give up your passport.

Generally friendly booze expensive but can be found.

Mohammedia. Commercial port, quiet.

Rabat, not been in myself, apparently lovely stop but dodgy entrance, vhf for advice.

Safi, commercial harbour, tied up alongside pilot boat. Do not go to fishermen berth, you will get stuff nicked. Brill place.

Essouria, quaint, bit smelly, brill beach nearby. Liked it.

Agadir, full on marina, tourist area, easy acess for inland tours, enjoyed British Sport Bar, booze pricey, food cheap.

Hope this helps, well worth a stop somewhere....except Tangier.

 

[oliverkinchin]

Thank you Capnsensible, very useful. We will let you know how we get on but it is great to hear some positive feedback on the place and we look forward to visiting even more.

Happy sailing.

Oliver

 

[Madeo]

Was there 4 years ago: El Jadida, Safi, Essaouira then Agadir. V. cheap ports (1€/night or free at Essaouira), apart from Agadir Marina (which I disliked)...

Back again last year, on a delivery trip and found that all the ports have gone up in price. We paid 25€/night with a 45-footer, at El Jadida and Tanger. Chatted with the big chief at Tanger who said all the ports were adopting the same pricing policy, and that there were several marinas planned, including ones at Tanger and Essaouira. Mate was recently turned away from Tanger.

However very safe, as all the ports are well-policed, and as mentioned above, the paperwork goes on a bit...

But do go, it's a magic country, I love it!

Brian.

 

[Roberto]

Hello,

We are currently in Cascais (Portugal) heading to the Canaries for the start of the ARC. We would like to visit Morocco on our way down and although we have read Noonsite there still seems to be limited information on the best places to visit.

I wondered if anyone has any information they could share with us on the best places to stay that have facilities and are safe.

Thank you again,

Oliver (www.magneticdeviation.wordpress.com)

We have been there two years ago, it took us about one month along the Moroccan coast

We loved Tangiers

Next one after Cap Spartel is Asilah, a wonderful place all buildings in white and blue, it looks like a Greek village with Moorish influence. Narrow entrance, about 3m of water at half tide, turn to starboard as soon as you enter

Rabat/Salé a big modern marina (google for Bouregreg marina), yes dodgy entrance I would not attempt it in the slightest swell. An RIB from the marina will wait for you at the entrance to show you the correct route, he is very optimistic about water height.

El Jadida the shortest concrete wall we ever moored to, the fishermen quay on the opposite side is a wonderful sight on mornings: hammer sharks 3m long, big tuna fishes, all kind of giant fishes. The fort/building there is also nice.

Mohammedia/Casablanca "marina" with pontoons, you can go to the local Club Nautique with a swimming pool, restaurant, etc. A couple of excellent local fish restaurant just outside the port area.

Safi real fishing port, yachts usually moor side-to some other ships just below the control tower.

Essaouira very nice and very touristy; again probably raft to the local "RNLI" boat. Can be very windy.

Agadir modern marina.

I took a lot of notes from an officer who was running the local seamen school about the places south, "Le sahara" as they call it), Tan Tan, Laayoune, Dakhla but I have them on the boat, we have not been there.


I suggest you buy some poliprop mooring ropes in the first port (very cheap) and keep yours well hidden, then when you leave bin them together with the awful fish smell they will have collected

 

[fliti]

We are in Agadir and have been for a couple of months. Great marina under new management (Samir Benjalloum). Good base for exploring Morocco and alternate layup pre-Atlantic crossing. No problems entering (unlike most other Moroccan ports with reputed scary swells). Cheapest diesel anywhere.Highly recommended

 

[Ariadne]

We did Mohamedia and Agadir in 2010 before crossing to the Canaries. Both were safe and pleasant to be in and very African. Mohamedia is off the tourist trail and a short walk from the square and shopping areas. Cheap and cheerful - but call the Harbour Master for permission to enter ( we didn't and he was was a little upset) and leave. Customs etc were pleasant and very efficient.

Agadir was nice as well, but very touristy around the marina, the fishing dock the other side is where you go to get very cheap, good quality fish meals. A tourist strip up the beach and some tourist bars in the areas as well. Behind all that is where the locals shop and do their thing.

Both are well worth visiting, and makes your hop to the canaries short and sweet. Just don't be in Agadir when you have any wind from the west or south - it's horrible then.

 

[mikefleetwood]

I'd vote for Casablanca as worth a visit. Can't comment on entry/exit as that aspect wasn't my problem (although I do recall Captain commenting on the need to keep a few bulk packs of cigarettes to hand to "smooth the way")

Once you get ashore, I'd recommend a strole through the medina, a visit to the mosque (no need to ask which one - it's huge, and reputedly the tallest religious building in the world) - and a drink or two at "Bogart's" bar (in the Hilton Hotel, and obviously nothing to do with the film!).

 

[phantomlady]

As a female I would make the comment that if you are of the fairer sex and visit Morocco, be prepared to be stared at by the local men.
Also, when walking around the towns etc I think it's definitely best to wear conservative clothing.
It is a muslim country. I've actually seen local women on the beach and in the sea in full head to toe cover.

 

[agurney]

Essaouira very nice and very touristy; again probably raft to the local "RNLI" boat. Can be very windy.

forget 'can be', Essaouira is permanently windy which is why it is such a favourite with the wind- and kite-surfers. I've only experienced it from landward, but this is what it looks like: http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=296644&highlight=essaouira