The following information is based on The Green Frog’s Guide to Mellila that has been compiled by Carol and David Palmer.

Just wanted to pass on a bit of information on Melilla, Spanish Morocco. We arrived here 19 April and are staying in the new marina that is completed and open. At present, there are only three other cruising boats in the marina. The following are some of our findings:

No English is spoken by officials in the marina office and English is also very limited in town. Bring your phrasebook and dictionary.

Easy entry into the new marina. We arrived just at dawn and were greeted by a very helpful Marinaro, who directed us to our berth. We found the depths to be over 4 meters all the way in on the eastern quay where we picked up our laid mooring line.

Check-in formalities were very also easy at the marina office, with the port police and Guardia Civil in the same building.

Marina charges for our 12.7-meter sailboat are 9.33 euros (Calculate at approx €0.19 per square metre (LOA x Beam) per day). This includes water & electric and an excellent wifi internet connection. There is a 56 euro deposit for the electrical plug (you will have to wire to your cable) and an adapter for the water connection (there is no potable water available in the harbour, so plan on using bottled water for drinking). The marina will take credit cards.

Shelter. Outstanding even with a strong NE swell! No swell or surge in the marina.

The heads are a five-minute walk on the opposite side of the marina, but are clean and have large shower stalls and plenty of hot water. Six euro deposit for the key.

Melilla is a duty-free port and good buys are available here especially on hard liquor. There is no VAT on purchases.

Security in the marina, owing to the presence of 24hr manning and regular patrols by Guardia Civil and Policia, is generally good but do not leave valuables lying around. However look after possessions in town as petty theft can be a problem to those not vigilant.

Yacht Club. Situated 250m north of port entrance (turn right at the gate). Excellent facilities are available for visiting yachtspersons in the marina. Bars, restaurant, swimming pool and gymnasium. Use of Internet in the library.

Beach. Adjacent to the marina, shallow water, stretches for 1 ½ Kilometres. (Best at another end.)

Repairs. Both at Shop of Isidro Gonzalez West side of marina, Competent engineers, but reported being expensive. There are a new 45-ton travel lift and hardstand area. To arrange a haulout you first need to organize with a local repair shop for blocking the boat. Then you schedule and pay for the travellift with Port Captain in the old harbour. The travel lift price for our 12.7-meter boat was 84 euros each way. The blocking is a negotiable item.

Chandleries. Two Chandlers in the marina shopping area and another near the old fishing harbour. They have a fair stock on hand with prices close to what we saw in mainland Spain. No VAT taxes! If they don’t have something you need they will order it and have it within 3-4 working days.

General. There is very little English spoken, but the people are generally friendly and very courteous. This is probably because of the little amount of non-Spanish tourism and you are somewhat of a novelty.

Pete Peterson

s/y “Brilliant”