Rabat : Profile

Location

This capital city of Morocco lies about 125 NM south of Tangier. Its clean, wide streets presenting a very different atmosphere to other Moroccan cities. Even so, there is plenty of atmosphere to be found in the old part of the city, in the Medina, and the Kasbah.

Bouregreg marina is a secure place to leave your boat and explore Morocco. If going by train, use Salé station, it is much closer than Rabat.

Clearance

Clearance is carried out at the reception pontoon just outside the marina. All the officials will visit you there and procedures are straightforward.

It is best to organise exit papers the day before planning to leave as the Immigraton official has to come from the airport to stamp the documents.

Last updated November 2008.

Docking

Rabat´s once busy port has suffered from the silting of the Bouregreg River but dredging is now taking place and this activity is something to be aware of when approaching the port.

A new marina was opened in March 2008 on the northern side of the city, in the Bouregreg River. The river entrance is protected by both outer and inner breakwaters, but breaking waves can penetrate even as far as the inner entrance in certain conditions. Extreme care should be exercised when entering Rabat harbour (a tidal river channel) when a strong swell is running and at low tide. Large swells will break between the breakwaters at the harbour entrance. If in doubt, entry should be verified with the local marina and an escort should be requested.

Watch out for fishing nets in the river.

The marina is 1km up the river, in a sheltered position on the north bank, at Sale, which is a fair walk to Rabat. Beware of the strong current in the river and the low bridge just beyond the marina entrance. Entering at slack water might be advisable. Cruisers visiting the marina have reported seeing no less than 3 metres in the channel. Advice is to telephone or radio the marina on arrival and they will send a pilot boat out to escort you up the river. This is part of the marina service.

Bouregreg Marina
7 rue Abou Inane, , Hassan, Rabat
Tel:+212 537 849900 , Fax:+212 537 785858, VHF Channel 10
marinabouregreg@gmail.com
Position 34°02.5’N, 06°50.3’W.
A new marina with all facilities. Service reported to be excellent and marina staff very helpful. Call on VHF channel 10 and they will escort you in and out of the marina. Fuel berth now in operation, plus laundry, small supermarket, 3 restaurants (one serving alcohol but expensive), 24 hour security. Marina and fuel berth now accept credit cards. 24 hr Zodiac ferry to The Medina. Free WiFi that actually works.
Work in progress to provide slipway; boatyard with crane.

Yacht Clubs

Club Nautique
The Yacht Club is about a twenty minute walk along the North Bank from the new marina, palatial-looking with splendid cuisine.

Related Reports

Rabat Marina - Watch the Swell (24 Nov 2009)

We Recommend Rabat Marina (08 Aug 2009)

Essaouira and Jorf Lasfar - Morocco (29 Dec 2008)

An Update on Harbours in Morocco - Dec 2008 (16 Dec 2008)

Entry into Morocco - different experiences (09 Nov 2008)

Bouregreg Marina - Facilities Update Nov '08 (05 Nov 2008)

New Marina at Rabat, Morocco - Update (26 Jun 2008)

Marina Agadir, Morocco – Excellent Service (26 Jun 2008)

Cruising Report: Moroccan Magic (09 Jun 2008)

Cruising Report On Morocco & Atlantic Islands September 2005 - January 2006 (08 Sep 2006)

New Sable D'or Marina A Red Herring (28 Oct 2005)

Morocco's Atlantic Ports: October/November 2004 (25 Nov 2004)

Atlantic Moroccan Ports Updates (11 Mar 2004)

Cruising in Morocco (26 May 2002)

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