Al Hoceima
Alhucemas · Al Hoceïma · Cala del Quemado
35°14.8'N 03°55.8'W
Depth
6–12m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
110m
Holding
Fair
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
110m
110m — larger radius for fair holding on sand over rock and exposure to Levanter swell when wind shifts. In any Levante forecast, do not anchor here — proceed to Nador (65nm E) which has better Levante shelter. The 110m radius assumes moderate W conditions; reduce to 90m in calm settled periods.
About This Anchorage
Al Hoceima sits at the heart of Morocco's Rif coastline — the Rif Mountains drop almost sheer into deep Mediterranean water, creating a dramatic landscape that has few equivalents in North Africa. The town is the main centre of the Riffian Berber region and has a distinctly different character from Arabic Morocco — the Tarifit Berber language is widely spoken. The anchorage in the main bay (Cala del Quemado) offers reasonable shelter in W-SW conditions with fair holding on sand over rock. The Spanish-owned fortified rock of Alhucemas Island sits 1nm offshore — there is a lighthouse and an ancient Spanish garrison that is now rarely staffed. The critical planning point for Al Hoceima is the Levante: the ENE gale can develop with minimal warning and make the bay completely untenable. The rule applied by experienced Mediterranean sailors is to anchor here only when the next 48 hours is completely free of easterly development in the forecast. Cala Iris, a small cove 20nm west, offers better Levante shelter.
Protected From
W · SW · S · NW
Exposed To
N · NE · E
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring in the bay
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Customs at Al Hoceima port if first entry; Levante watch is essential — 48-hour Levanter-free forecast required before anchoring; Alhucemas Island is Spanish territory — do not land without permission.
Hazards
- !LEVANTE (ENE gale 25–50kt): CRITICAL HAZARD — fully exposed; anchorage untenable in Levanter; 48-hour clear forecast REQUIRED
- !Fair holding on sand over rock — set firmly with engine test before relaxing; rocky patches reduce holding
- !Alhucemas Island (Spanish) 1nm offshore — do not land without permission; restricted military area
- !Rif coast remoteness — no rescue services close by; nearest marina is Nador (65nm E) or Melilla (65nm E)
- !Chergui (Saharan S wind) can reduce visibility to 1nm in dust; disorientating in the close-in bay
Skipper's Tips
- →Check AEMET (Spanish Met) and Meteo-France forecasts simultaneously — Levante shown as ENE gust sequences in 48-hour models
- →Cala Iris (20nm W) is a smaller cove with slightly better Levante shelter — consider as alternative if Levanter develops
- →Al Hoceima National Park extends along the coast — the Rif scenery underwater (snorkelling) is exceptional in calm periods
- →The harbour master at Al Hoceima port (VHF 16) is helpful with local conditions — worth a call on approach
- →Depart eastbound for Nador at first sign of Levanter — do not wait for conditions to worsen
Facilities
Al Hoceima town has restaurants and a market — Riffian cuisine excellent. Fuel and water through town (not marina). The town souk is worth visiting for fresh fish.
Nearest provisions: Al Hoceima town centre (1nm)
Best Months & Season
May, Jun, Sep
May–June and September only. The Levante risk makes July–August difficult and November–April dangerous. Spring and early autumn offer the most reliable westerly/calm windows. Plan no more than 2–3 days at anchor; be ready to depart at any sign of easterly in the forecast.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 110m
On Morocco's Mediterranean coast, the Levante can develop overnight and turn a calm anchorage into a dangerous situation. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously — wake up before you drag, not after.
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