Gibraltar - Facts

Gibraltar FAQs

Pre-Arrival Boat: Yachts traveling to Gibraltar are now asked to complete an online pre-arrival notification for Customs. See Clearance for more details. All boats must berth in a marina. It is possible to visit Gibraltar to re-fuel without clearing-in.
Pre-Arrival Crew: Nationals of countries normally requiring a visa may be allowed to stop in Gibraltar if they arrive and leave by yacht. See Immigration for details.
Where can I enter? Gibraltar is small, there is only one main port (called Gibraltar). Proceed directly to a marina for clearance.
Are fees high to enter by yacht? There are no clearance fees.
What security concerns should I know about? Theft and street crime are rare. Be aware of the orca situation in the area.

Gibraltar Facts for Sailors

• Gibraltar, a British Overseas Territory, is located at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, at the western end of the Mediterranean. Gibraltar is most famous for The Rock of Gibraltar, a 426 meter high limestone rock rising out of the sea.
• Britain's post-Brexit transition phase ended on January 1, 2021, at which time Gibraltar became part of Europe's borderless Schengen Area, with Spain ultimately responsible for controls. A Schengen deal is under negotiation but not yet fully agreed and therefore not implemented.
• Gibraltar's population is 32,000. English is the official language, but Spanish is widely spoken, and an unofficial dialect called Llanito, a mix of English, Spanish, and some Italian words, is frequently spoken among locals.
• The Gibraltar Pound (GIP) is the official currency of Gibraltar, pegged at par value to the British pound.
• Gibraltar uses Standard Time or Central European Time (UTC+01:00) and daylight saving time or Central European Summer Time (UTC+02:00).
• Gibraltar experiences dry, warm summers with 10.5 hours of sunshine and 27-34°C temperatures, while winters are mild, wet, and cool, with temperatures ranging from 10-18°C. See Weather for more details.
• Whales may be encountered in the Straits of Gibraltar from April to August. To minimize the risk of collision, the advised speed limit is 13 knots and keep a good lookout.
• Yachts from all parts of the globe call at Gibraltar every year and the facilities at their disposal are some of the best in the area. The movement of yachts is virtually continuous, although there are clearly defined peak periods. Spring and early summer see boats arriving from across the Atlantic or Northern Europe bound for the Mediterranean. The autumn months see a large movement in the opposite direction as many cruising yachts leave the Mediterranean, usually bound for Madeira and the Canaries en route to the Caribbean.
• Yachting facilities are pressed at peak periods, however, the new Ocean Village Marina in Gib and new marina at La Linea just across the border should hopefully ease the situation. It is advisable during peak periods, to go armed with a confirmed pre-booking, as yachts have reported being turned away.
• Although a convenient place for repairs and reprovisioning, Gibraltar is also a good place to relax and its cosmopolitan makeup serves this function well.
• Many yachts stop in Gibraltar to re-fuel before heading into/out of the Med. You do not have to clear into Gibraltar to re-fuel. Fuel here is probably the cheapest in the Med, apart from Morocco. See Yachting Essentials for more details.