Visit our Popular Forums

Prairie Chicken · 01-09-2016, 10:59

So, it appears we'll be crewing for friends when they take their 20m trawler out of the EU to reset the VAT clock. The plan is to arrive Gib in late September, spend a day or two there, then return to Mallorca.

What suggestions do you wise folk have as to which marina to use, and why? We may want a few fresh provisions, and are also looking for a nice restaurant nearby to celebrate some crew birthdays so don't want to be too far out in the boonies. And, if we have a day to spend, what touristy highlights are worth seeing?

jstevens · 01-09-2016, 11:22

My info on Gib is 10 years out of date. At that time there were only two marinas to choose from: Marina Bay and Queensway Quay. Marina Bay is right next to the airport, but fortunately there were no flights after 10 PM or so. Marina Bay is close to the tourist duty-free shopping area on Main Street. The largest supermarket in Gib was a few blocks away, as was the Port Office where I went to take care of the VAT issue on my boat. I never found out if that Practique document really did reset the VAT. Gib is part of the EU, but it has some special tax exclusions. Anyway it looked good.
Queensway Quay was undergoing major renovation, and in two trips to Gib could never get a berth there. It is in the heart of Gib and a little bit away from the main tourist areas.
Shepherd's Marina was being demolished for new highrise apartment buildings then. I don't know if it every re-openned.

As far places to go, Gib is very tiny. Other than a trip to the Rock not much to see (IMO). I regret I didn't take advantage of the ferry trips to Morocco and the Spanish enclaves in N. Africa. Friends who did thoroughly enjoyed those trips.

John

**JPA Cate** · 02-09-2016, 01:14

Prarie Chicken,

Boatie or Weavis might be up on this destination, maybe a PM?

Dulcesuenos · 02-09-2016, 01:35

You can purchase an all day bus pass for about 2.GBP. You can spend half a day or full day seeing the beaches, the light house, the bastions etc. Well worth it.you could rent a car, go to Tarifa, take a ferry to morrocco. That's fun for a day. The caves and top of the rock are overrated. Nice ice bar in the casino hotel boat. Lots of restaraunts especially by the marina, all have free WiFi. 2 big supermarkets, one at airport, one across behind hotel casino boat.
Marina next to airport is very convenient, fuel is incredibly cheap and clean. You must each go to the police station across the runway to get your passports stamped Into Gibraltar. Be sure you were stamped out when you leave Spain. GiB does not do an exit stamp.

Sent from my STUDIO 5.5 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

captmikem · 02-09-2016, 09:03

If you are staying in Gib, it is useless to rent a car, faster to walk or take a taxi. If you have any military contacts the caves below (under the straits not up in the rock) are truly fantastic and are beautiful.

Cable car up to see the monkeys is worth a trip.

Lots of restaurants and shops. And if you have the time a daytrip to Morocco is good, but once you are there book the bus trip as it is a lot to see, and don’t pay over 15% of the asking price for anything especially carpets while in Morocco.

If you have the time a trip to Ronda is worth the time.

Michael

Kenomac · 02-09-2016, 10:04

You will need three days. On one day take the trip up the rock to visit the apes and fortifications. Second day book a guided excusion into Morocco it's about 70 pounds for two way travel, ferries, guide, buses, camel ride and a nice lunch. Well worth the trip. Visit the Sanish port which is where you'll find he better food, cheaper prices for provisions, Gibraltar is the place to buy fuel next to the casino.

Food prices in Gibraltar are ridiculously high and the quality is poor compared to Spain which is two minutes away.

PM me for details.

Ken

donradcliffe · 02-09-2016, 10:19

This is a boating forum, not a tourist forum. I can tell you where to get a great deal on Gel cell batteries, but you probably aren't interested.

Prairie Chicken · 02-09-2016, 10:40

No, I'm not in the market for gel cell batteries

Thanks for the other suggestions though. That gives me something to work with.

reed1v · 02-09-2016, 10:51

Outside of seeing the monkeys once, we normally hole up in a pub and get drunk swapping stories. Kind of fun. That and Malta are the only two places that have proper British pubs. Nelson is a good place to get sloshed.

Prairie Chicken · 02-09-2016, 11:23

A good British pub sounds good to me. See, that's important data. Thanks for that!

**weavis** · 02-09-2016, 11:27

I think everything I would have said has been said...

sy_gilana · 02-09-2016, 11:32

Ask around to find a Private Guide to take you into the "Lower St Michael's Cave system" Must be one of the few authorized private guides, they have keys to the doors and gates. Very well worthwhile. Also after getting to the top, come down via the "Mediterranean Steps"

**boatman61** · 02-09-2016, 11:48

With a 20metre boat your not going to get into Queensway methinks..
As for Marina Bay.. end of the pontoon are a load of bars that serve decent food.. as for touristy stuff.. sorry but I can be no help..

The ferry to Tangiers or Cueta sounds a good idea..

MarkJ · 02-09-2016, 12:18

Beware the Apes on the Rock! One is named Boatman!!

I'm so funny today

Sorry, Phil, only joshin

The best, most important touristy bit is the Rock. With a quick look from above you *know* its strategic importance. If the Straits of Gibraltar were like the Straits of Hormuz we would be in very deep do-do.
A trip to the Rock encompasses tourism, politics, religion, military security, history and geography in one session. Thus its a 'must see'.

Yes and those apes are cute(ish)

Mark