Sailing to Melilla

[JJ Christensen]

Hello sailors

We have our boat in Aguadulce in southern Spain and Im sitting here in the cold north and doing planning for our next sailing when things open up.

Have any of you sailed across from Spain to the spanish enclave Melilla in Africa? Is it worth visiting ?

What about safety sailing close to the coast and in the marina ?
Any problems with the current from Gibraltar ?

Anything else ? even reasons for not going there ?

Thanks

[marcot]

JJ
I sailed in June 2019 departing from Gib to Al Hoceima and from there to Melilla.
Melilla is not worthwhile,unless for cheap diesel, but the Cabo Tres Fuorcas area is beatifull.
the Nador lagoon might be interesting but I did not have time.

Current only approaching Cabo Tres Fuorcas 2/3knots.

not visited the Chafarinas islands some 30miles East .

marco

[boatman61]

Ahh.. Agua Dulce, spent several winters there in the 90's, fond memories..
Its a near straight sail across to Melilla from there, not sure there's a lot to see, maybe better to take the ferry from Almeria first to check it out.. I do know local boats make the crossing from Almeria and Almerimar but whether it's for cheap fuel etc or spectacular night life I don't know..
Doubt you'll encounter problems unless you stray into Algerian waters as they are vigorous enforcers.

[JJ Christensen]

Originally Posted by marcot

JJ
Melilla is not worthwhile,unless for cheap diesel,

Thanks for the info, my intention was to visit only this spanish city and only if it was interesting and historic.

[JJ Christensen]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Ahh.. Agua Dulce, spent several winters there in the 90's, fond memories..

We went there because no shipyards had any space left when Spain moved towards yet another lockdown in 2020.
The city has been heavily developed with touristic buildings since you were there and the most interesting part is most likely the large mountain behind the marina.

They are very nice and easy to deal with at the shipyard, so we can recommend that.