Sailing the Strait of Gibraltar

The Strait – a gateway between two seas and two continents

At its narrowest point off Tarifa, the southernmost tip of mainland Europe, barely fourteen kilometres separate Europe from Africa. Here the Atlantic pushes into the Mediterranean, and the wind carries two names: the Levante from the east and the Poniente from the west. The Rock of Gibraltar marks one of the two ancient Pillars of Hercules, the Moroccan coast the other. In the nutrient-rich current dolphins, pilot whales and, at the height of summer, even orcas gather, so a sailing holiday through the Strait of Gibraltar is always a passage between two worlds.

The Andalusian coast – from Cádiz to the Costa del Sol

Cádiz, one of the oldest cities in Western Europe and founded by the Phoenicians, reaches out into the Atlantic on a slender spit of land. East of the strait the Costa del Sol begins: Marbella and the marina of Puerto Banús stand for Andalusian glamour, Málaga for its Alcazaba, its cathedral and the birthplace of Picasso. From Motril the hinterland opens towards the Alhambra of Granada. The Rock of Gibraltar, with its Barbary macaques and its view across to Africa, remains the landmark of the passage.

Morocco – at anchor off the coast of Africa

Just one crossing away lies Tangier, where the medina, the kasbah and the bazaars rise over the hills above the strait, the classic doorway to Africa. Further along the Atlantic coast Casablanca greets arrivals with the vast Hassan II Mosque set at the water’s edge and serves as the gateway to Rabat and Marrakesh.

The Atlantic Algarve and the Tagus at Lisbon

West of the strait the Portuguese Atlantic coast unfolds. Lagos and Portimão sit along the cliff-bound Algarve with its grottoes and golden coves. Lisbon welcomes ships on the broad Tagus beneath the Tower of Belém and the hills of the old town. To the south Setúbal lies at the mouth of the Sado, while Figueira da Foz stands further north on the open Atlantic.

The Balearics and the western Mediterranean

Beyond the strait the Mediterranean opens out: Palma de Mallorca with its cathedral above the harbour, Ibiza with the old town of Dalt Vila, and Maó on Menorca on one of the largest natural harbours in the Mediterranean. Along the Spanish coast follow Valencia and Cartagena with its Roman theatre. Further east many routes extend the passage to Cagliari on Sardinia, Valletta on Malta, Ajaccio on Corsica, and on to Villefranche near Nice and Saint-Tropez.

Which ship for the Strait of Gibraltar?

The passage between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean is sailed with ivent-sailing by ships ranging from private sailing to the elegant boutique cruise, all arranged and booked through us:

• Luxury sailing yacht with the feel of a private yacht (Kairos, Chronos, Rhea) – elegant large yachts for up to 24 guests, with a ten-strong crew, captain and chef and personal service of the highest order.
• Sailing cruise aboard a tall ship (Royal Clipper) – true sailing under full rig aboard the largest full-rigged ship in the world, between two continents.
• Windjammer luxury (Sea Cloud Spirit) – hand-set sails and grand-hotel atmosphere at sea.
• Boutique cruise (Le Boréal, Le Champlain) – French elegance, intimate ships and accomplished cuisine.

So the guest who wishes to sail the strait for the first time finds the same waters as the traveller seeking the grand boutique cruise, from intimate sailing to cultivated luxury on board.