Our YachtBalvenie blog has been going a few years now. It captures our experiences around the world as we explore by sea in our 47ft sloop "Balvenie" (draft is nearly 2.5m). This blog is the summary of our Cruising Info for all the places we have visited since we started the blog (so it does not have the beginning of our adventure). I have collated the cruising info here together for those that just wish to print it off, without having all the photos and stories that accompany it. For our entire story and all the great photos see http://yachtbalvenie.blogspot.com/

As always please remember these were our experiences which may be entirely different to others. All care has been taken with this information, and as with any navigational aids should be treated as a guideline. If you are following in our wake, have fun out there and stay off the hard stuff!!

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Morocco ..... June 2010

Smir Marina -  35 45N   05 20W  (Mediterranean Coast, south of Ceuta in the Gibraltar Straits)
Entrance currently being dredged least depth 2.6m, stay close to the outer breakwater wall.  Depths inside marina around 4 metres plus.  Entrance would be untenable in strong (possibly even moderate) easterlies.  Need to stop at dock by office on arrival and departure for Immigration.  Berth allocation given here also.  We side tied on dock by cafes, there did not appear to be any mooring lines to med moor although I have seen photos of yachts stern tied here.  Power and water at dock, great water pressure.  Cost for 12-15 metre incl power, water & tax 490DHS, converted at 10 to 1 was 49€ (huge increase from Cruising Guide). Showers and toilets by office. No wifi.  Some restaurants along quayside, nothing else there.  Gymsim international mobile worked, Vodafone Spain went onto roaming. Supposed to be very popular in July and August, not so appealing in June.  Travelift and hardstand but no services.  Didn’t see any ATM’s

Ceuta Marina in Spain is nearby.  See Spanish info.