Description:
This capital city of Morocco lies about 125 NM south of Tangier on the Bouregreg River. 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.
Rabat has the Bouregreg marina, one of the two marinas on the Atlantic coast. It is a secure place to leave your boat and explore Morocco. If going by train, use Salé station, it is much closer than Rabat.
Rabat is on London time except during Ramadan when it appears they drop back to UTC.
Entrance Notes and Cautions:
This port will close if there is a strong NW swell (more than 2 metres). Research the weather outlook carefully as not only can it be frustrating not being able to enter, it's even more frustrating being trapped inside the marina unable to leave. Mohammedia is the closest alternative and is open in all weather conditions (however it probably is the most expensive port on this coast).
Extreme care should be exercised when entering Rabat harbour (a tidal river channel) when a strong swell is running and at low tide. Entry with a strong westerly wind would be dangerous. Large swells will break between the breakwaters at the harbour entrance. It is also wise to watch out for sand reefs on the port side if there are strong tides when entering.
This website www.windguru.cz has a swell forecast for Rabat.
Particular care should be taken when entering the channel, which is often very congested with swimmers, and jet skis.
It is not advisable to enter the port at night. Unmarked fishing nets and hard to see channel marks can make the entrance hazardous.
The port is about a mile from the river entrance.
Book ahead with the marina management on Whatsapp +212 661 358149.
Best advice is to telephone or radio (VHF Ch10) 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 and it is available 24/7 - cost 450MAD. Bear in mind that the pilot works on a handheld VHF so may not answer, but he will hear you and come out to assist with entry. The pilot will also escort you out of the river when you depart. The staff are very friendly and helpful.
See this useful video by SV Seefalke on the approaches to Rabat from December 2018.
Position:
34° 02' 37'N, 06° 50' 44'W (river entrance)
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