Exploring Bahrain: Sailing Through The Strait Of Gibraltar

The Strait of Gibraltar is a narrow strait that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea, separating Europe from Africa. Ferries cross between the two continents every day, with the journey taking as little as 35 minutes. The strait is commonly used for illegal immigration from Africa to Europe, and it is also an important shipping route. It is possible to sail from Spain to Morocco through the Strait of Gibraltar, with ferries departing from Tarifa in Spain to Tangier in Morocco. However, there is no information about sailing directly from the Strait of Gibraltar to Bahrain.

Ferries and boats from Spain to Morocco

Ferries from Spain to Morocco are a convenient and budget-friendly way to travel between the two countries. The Strait of Gibraltar, which separates Europe and Africa, is approximately 14.2 kilometres wide at its narrowest point and can be crossed in as little as 35 minutes. There are several ferry companies that operate between Spain and Morocco, offering various routes and departure ports. Here is some essential information to help you plan your trip:

Departure Ports in Spain

The main Spanish ports serving ferry routes to Morocco include:

• Algeciras
• Tarifa
• Motril
• Almería
• Barcelona
• Gibraltar

Arrival Ports in Morocco

Ferries from Spain travel to the following ports in Morocco:

• Tangier (ports of Tangier Ville and Tanger Med)
• Al Hoceima
• Nador

Ferry Companies

There are several ferry companies that operate between Spain and Morocco, including:

• FRS Iberia DFDS
• Intershipping
• Baleària
• Trasmediterránea
• Naviera Armas
• Africa Morocco Link (AML)
• Grandi Navi Veloci

Ticket Prices and Duration

Ticket prices and duration vary depending on the route and company. Here are some examples of one-way ticket prices and travel times for specific routes:

• Tarifa to Tangier Ville: €42.50 for adults, €25 for children aged 4-13, €12 for children aged 1-3, and free for infants under 1 year. The journey takes approximately 1 hour.
• Algeciras to Tangier Med: €17 on average, with a sailing time of about 1 hour and 39 minutes.
• Almería to Nador: starting at €60, with a travel time of around 8 hours.
• Barcelona to Tangier Med: from €66, with a journey time of about 28-37 hours.
• Gibraltar to Tangier Med: tickets start at around €38, and the ferry ride takes about 1.5 hours.

Booking Tickets

You can book your ferry tickets online through websites like Ferryhopper, Direct Ferries, or the official websites of the ferry companies. It is recommended to book in advance, especially during the high season, as tickets can sell out quickly.

Vehicle Transportation

Most ferry companies allow passengers to bring their vehicles on the ferry, including cars, motorcycles, and bicycles. However, additional fees and documentation may be required. If you prefer, you can also leave your vehicle in designated parking areas at the Spanish ports before boarding the ferry.

Travel with Pets

Most ferry companies allow pets on board, but it is essential to book a pet ticket in advance. Your pet must be microchipped, have a valid health card, and a pet passport. They should also be on a leash or in a carrier during the journey.

Border Control and Visa Requirements

Morocco is not a Schengen member, and you will need to pass through passport control when entering the country. For stays of up to 3 months, a visa is usually not required for most nationalities, but it is always best to check with your embassy for the most up-to-date information. Passport control may take place on board the ferry or at the ferry terminal, depending on the route.

The Strait of Gibraltar's unique flow and wave patterns

The Strait of Gibraltar is a narrow strait that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea, separating Europe and Africa by 7.7 nautical miles (14.2 km) at its closest point. This direct linkage creates certain unique flow and wave patterns due to the interaction of various regional and global forces.

Water flows through the Strait continuously in both directions. A smaller volume of deeper, saltier, and denser water flows westwards (the Mediterranean outflow), while a larger volume of less saline and less dense surface water flows eastwards (the Mediterranean inflow). These general flow tendencies may be interrupted by temporary tidal flows, depending on lunar and solar alignments. The balance of water flow is eastwards, as the Mediterranean basin's evaporation rate is higher than the combined inflow of rivers and precipitation.

At the western end of the Strait is the Camarinal Sill, the shallowest point, which limits the mixing of cold, less saline Atlantic water with the warmer, more saline Mediterranean waters. The Mediterranean waters are much saltier than the Atlantic waters, causing them to sink below the incoming water and form a highly saline layer of bottom water. This layer constantly moves out into the Atlantic as the Mediterranean outflow. On the Atlantic side, a density boundary separates the Mediterranean outflow waters from the rest at about 100 m (330 ft) in depth. As these waters flow down the continental slope, they lose salinity and mix more rapidly at a depth of about 1,000 m (3,300 ft). The Mediterranean outflow water layer can be traced for thousands of kilometres west of the Strait.

Internal waves (waves at the density boundary layer) are often produced by the Strait. As water flows in both directions over the Camarinal Sill, large tidal flows entering the Strait generate internal waves that proceed eastwards when the high tide relaxes. These internal waves can be traced for up to 150 km and sometimes create interference patterns with refracted waves.

The Strait's role in illegal immigration

The Strait of Gibraltar is a narrow strait that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea and separates Europe from Africa. The strait is a common route for illegal immigration from Africa to Europe.

Due to its location, the Strait of Gibraltar has become a significant route for individuals seeking to migrate from Africa to Europe without legal authorisation. This phenomenon is known as illegal immigration, which refers to the movement of people into a country in violation of its immigration laws or the act of residing in a country without the legal right to do so. The issue of illegal immigration through the Strait of Gibraltar is not an isolated problem, as it is part of a broader global challenge.

The Strait of Gibraltar's proximity to both continents makes it an attractive option for those attempting to enter Europe clandestinely. With a distance of only 7.7 nautical miles (14.2 kilometres or 8.9 miles) at its narrowest point, the strait presents an opportunity for migrants to cross borders undetected. This short distance enables human smugglers to transport individuals in small vessels, such as boats or dinghies, under the cover of darkness or by taking advantage of weather conditions that hinder detection.

The dangerous nature of these illegal crossings cannot be overstated. Migrants who undertake these journeys put their lives at risk by boarding vessels that are often overloaded and unseaworthy. Additionally, the involvement of human smuggling networks further exacerbates the risks, as these criminal organisations prioritise profit over the safety and well-being of the people they transport. The lack of safety measures, combined with the unpredictable maritime environment, contributes to the high number of migrant deaths that occur during these crossings.

To address the issue of illegal immigration through the Strait of Gibraltar, governments and law enforcement agencies have implemented various measures. Joint efforts between countries on both sides of the strait, such as Spain and Morocco, are crucial to deterring, preventing, and responding to these dangerous voyages. Increased patrols and enforcement by land, air, and sea are conducted to intercept migrant vessels and prevent loss of life at sea.

The complexity of illegal immigration through the Strait of Gibraltar underscores the need for a comprehensive approach that addresses the root causes of migration, improves economic opportunities in migrants' countries of origin, and establishes safe and legal pathways for migration. By working together, countries can strive to create a more humane and orderly migration system that protects the lives and rights of individuals while also upholding the integrity of their borders.

The Strait's history as a barrier to conquest

The Strait of Gibraltar has served as a barrier to conquest throughout history. Located at the mouth of the Mediterranean Sea, connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean and dividing Morocco and Africa from the Iberian Peninsula in Europe, the Strait has been a highly contested waterway.

The Strait's narrow passage, just 7.7 nautical miles (14.2 kilometres) at its closest point, has made it a strategic chokepoint for powerful nations seeking to control the movement of ships between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. This was especially important before the construction of the Suez Canal, as the Strait was the only oceanic entrance and exit to the Mediterranean.

Its role as a barrier against conquest began in 1492 when a Spanish force overthrew the last Muslim government north of the Strait. This event marked the end of over 500 years of cultural exchange between the two shores, and the Strait became a demarcation point for the development of two distinct cultures: Christian-European culture to the north and Muslim-Arabic/Mediterranean culture to the south.

The Strait's function as a barrier was further emphasised by the establishment of the small British enclave of Gibraltar in 1704. This outpost ensured British control over the vital water passages leading into and out of the Mediterranean. During the Spanish coup of July 1936, the Spanish Republican Navy attempted to blockade the Strait to prevent the transport of troops from Spanish Morocco to Peninsular Spain, demonstrating the Strait's ongoing significance as a strategic barrier.

The Strait's unique geographical position and cultural significance have made it a highly contested area throughout history, with nations vying for control over this critical waterway. Its role as a barrier to conquest has shaped the cultural and political landscape of the surrounding regions.

The Strait's significance for wildlife

The Strait of Gibraltar is a significant area for wildlife, particularly for hundreds of thousands of seabirds that use the area as a migratory route between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. Species include Scopoli's and Balearic shearwaters, Audouin's and lesser black-backed gulls, razorbills, and Atlantic puffins. The area has been identified as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International.

The Strait is also home to a pod of around 36 orcas, one of the few remaining in Western European waters. Unfortunately, this pod is facing the threat of extinction in the coming decades due to long-term PCB pollution.

The Strait's seabed is composed of synorogenic Betic-Rif clayey flysch covered by Pliocene and/or Quaternary calcareous sediments, sourced from thriving cold-water coral communities. Exposed bedrock surfaces, coarse sediments, and local sand dunes are evidence of strong bottom current conditions.

The Strait of Gibraltar's unique location and geological features also contribute to its ecological significance. The interaction of regional and global forces, such as evaporative forces, water temperatures, tidal forces, and wind forces, create distinct flow and wave patterns. The Strait is also an important channel for ocean currents, which play a crucial role in moderating the climate of the surrounding areas.

Frequently asked questions