Security in Melilla, Ceuta and North Morocco.

[capnsensible]

From a regular visitor!

Both the Spanish enclaves do have odd periods of disturbance in some areas. This is generally where encampments of illegal immigrants are sited. They are extremely poor and often badly treated by police which does on occasion cause problems.

This has no effect on security in the town and marina areas however. I have visited Melilla 3 times in the last year and Ceuta about 30 odd times in the same period and havent locked the boat at all. Marina security is good and in Ceuta, the marine division of the Guardia are on site.

Ashore I have never had a concern and feel safe. Much better than, say, walking around Leeds in a Man United shirt

I have always found Moroccans on the North and Atlantic coasts to be very polite and helpful. I think disturbances are found more in the inland towns.

I took my crew for a stroll around the old medina in Tetouan on thursday and we ate in a restaurant in the medina. I am lucky to be able to do this every couple of weeks and always feel at ease walking round the rather bustling town.

I am very happy to answer any questions about my experiences of the area.

Cheers, CS

 

[RobbieW]

Fuel & berthing

We are currently in the Algarve heading east, aiming to go through the Straits before Christmas then come back to Melilla/Gib/Ceuta for a while after.

We could do with refilling the fuel tanks, c 500l, so is it worth doing small fills in mainland Spain/Portugal and waiting till we get to Gib or Ceuta for a major fill ? Its been €1.44/l in Portugal with many places only taking cash so even the ability to use a credit card helps manage finances!

How about berthing costs in Ceuta ? I read on Noonsite that costs increased significantly in 2011 so roughly what are we talking for a 12.5 metre winter visitor rate ?

Finally, where else would you go in Northern Morocco ? Is Tangier worth a look ?

 

[capnsensible]

Hiya,

Ceuta last week, 45 foot, 27 euro. For 36 foot just less than 20....going tomorrow!

Diesel in Gib 1 pound a litre, Melilla 2 weeks ago, 1 euro a litre. Worth filling in Gib, card not a problem. Until Libya kicked off (local supplier), diesel was 80 odd pence with discount over 100l but all gone now, sadly.

Tangier is becoming much more yacht friendly, I will be visiting soon as I need to write a bit about it. People I have spoken to have been happy.

Check out Marina Smir, port of entry, similar prices to Ceuta. Good acess to Tetouan and Chefchouan.

Top tip, listen for 2 hourly weather on vhf, Straits do get a bit breezy!

 

[wazza]

Ashore I have never had a concern and feel safe. Much better than, say, walking around Leeds in a Man United shirt

Cheers, CS

Why on earth would u want to wear a man utd shirt??...awful..

 

[DownWest]

Not Boaty..

A while back, but I enjoyed Morocco. Only sour taste was, we flew in from Faro to Marrakesh in a 6 seater, parked it in front of the Terminal. 10 days later we were cranking up to leave and found 200lts had 'evaporated' from our tanks. Had to go over to the military side to buy it back. As a date check: the Es Sardi hotel was about £ 10/night then.
DW

Do the Moroccan's have a good footy side?

 

[Roaring Girl]

Finally, where else would you go in Northern Morocco ? Is Tangier worth a look ?

We went to Tanger in 2007 and greatly enjoyed it. Then you tied up on the pontoons at the YC which were under very secure guardiennage. We left RG there and went by train to Fez, which was spectacular. Tanger has a fantastic souk and is very good for provisioning.

We didn't really like Smir. El Jebha is a very useful stopping point and then was free. There's not water or power there. Al Hoceima we found difficult because we were put on the (filthy, high) ferry dock and one of the officials was the only rude person we met in Morocco. But the thronging town itself seemed pleasant. (It's a v long climb from the port!)

We had some nervousness about Morocco as two women travelling, but met with amazing kindness, hospitality and good manners. Of course people see any tourists as a commercial opportunity - but that's the same everywhere. (People are just less obvious about it in richer countries.)

 

[SvenglishTommy]

We had some nervousness about Morocco as two women travelling, but met with amazing kindness, hospitality and good manners.

That's good to hear, I had a nightmare when I was there with my girlfriend about 8 years ago.

We got harrased by disrespectful locals all the time, and one incident ended violently.

 

[shaxi]

That's good to hear, I had a nightmare when I was there with my girlfriend about 8 years ago.

We got harrased by disrespectful locals all the time, and one incident ended violently.

sorry to hear that ,but something may be changed , i hope there will be good for us to visit now !

 

[Roaring Girl]

Two women 'of a certain age' I have to admit,. which got us a lot of attention (especially Pip's red hair) but not hassle (except of the 'buy this' variety that everyone gets)

 

[SvenglishTommy]

sorry to hear that ,but something may be changed , i hope there will be good for us to visit now !

I'm sure it wil be fine. I was a lot younger then and my girlfriend a very attractive blond, and they were more harrassing me than her, probably seeing how far they could push it.

This was in Marrakesh anyway, it was better along the west coast in Rabat, Cassablanca and El Jadida. I guess the North coast is better still. I've only been to Ceuta on the North coast and that felt very safe indeed.

 

[Sea Devil]

Tangier is a problem at the moment as the 'Yacht Club' has totally taken over all the visitors area. You can park on the wall in the outer bit although you could get fishing boats rafting up alongside. I have been in a couple of times this year but could not find room so continued onto either Ceuta or Gib.

The good (ish) news is that now the new commercial port is now operational just up the coast so the development of Tangier is going ahead and a new 1000 boat marina is supposed to be up and running in 2015. I suspect it will be as expensive as Marina Smir! It is described as a luxury marina facility!

Fuel in Gib is normally around £1 a litre and in Ceuta about 1.05€ a litre so there is not a lot to choose - both take credit cards. Smir is more expensive to berth in than Ceuta or Gib but with all the resturants beside the main quay it's fun to order your meal and have it delived by a waiter to the boat on hot plates then open your own wine to drink with it rather than 'tea' or coke in resturant. They collect the plates and cutlery and will bring deserts. Tetuan is a good fun visit but the place is nothing compared to Tangier I think.

Just to add it does get quite windy in the Straits... Came though from Gib with 55knots from astern around Tarifa gusting more....

 

[jim trustworthy]

Ceuta parking

Hi,

I am trying to find a secure parking place in ceuta for both my van and trailer but have no idea of where to look or the prices for that matter. I know its a long shot but i have nowhere else to look and time is running out.
Could sombody kindly point me in the right direction, i will be heading towards ceuta in the next couple of days. By the way i am looking for ong term safe & secure parking.