Ksar es Seghir
Ksar el Kebir (coastal) · Alcazarseguer · Ksar es Seghir bay
35°50.6'N 05°33.4'W
Depth
3–7m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
90m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
90m
90m on sand and mud — good holding in moderate easterly or settled conditions. In W or NW conditions (Atlantic westerlies funnelling through the Strait), anchorage becomes untenable. Capacity is small — 4–5 boats maximum; arrive early in season.
About This Anchorage
Ksar es Seghir is a small Moroccan village at the eastern approach to the Strait of Gibraltar — the last significant Moroccan anchorage before the Strait proper narrows. The village is ancient: its name means 'Small Fortress' in Arabic, and the ruins of a magnificent 13th-century Portuguese-Moroccan fortified town sit immediately behind the beach. The walls, towers, and circular towers of the original medina are extraordinarily complete for such a small and overlooked site. The Portuguese captured Ksar es Seghir in 1458 and held it until 1550 — the fortifications they built are among the best-preserved Portuguese works in North Africa. The anchorage in 3–7m is useful as a staging point for Strait transits in either direction — a quieter alternative to Tangier or Ceuta. The unique position (on the African coast facing the westerly funnel of the Strait) means that Levante conditions from the E actually provide partial shelter here, while the main hazard is the W/NW Atlantic swell funnelling east through the Strait.
Protected From
E · SE · S
Exposed To
W · NW · N
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Customs clearance required if coming from outside Morocco; small anchorage — respect local fishing boats; TSS in Strait (begins immediately east) — monitor VHF 10.
Hazards
- !W/NW Atlantic swell funnels E through the Strait — anchorage exposed in westerly conditions
- !TSS (Traffic Separation Scheme) begins just east — monitor VHF 10 (Tarifa Traffic) from this position
- !Strong tidal current through the Strait east of here — plan transit timing carefully
- !Very small anchorage — capacity 4–5 boats; can be full in summer
- !No facilities — must be self-sufficient
Skipper's Tips
- →The medieval Portuguese ruins behind the beach are extraordinary — barely visited and remarkably complete
- →Use Ksar es Seghir as a staging anchorage before westbound Strait transit — quieter than Tangier or Ceuta
- →Levante from the east: this anchorage is one of the few on the Moroccan coast that is sheltered from the E (facing W)
- →Monitor TSS and shipping from this position — AIS and VHF 10 essential before and during any Strait transit
- →Depart for westbound transit at first light with slack water — current weakest just after local high water
Facilities
Small village with basic café and fish stalls. No fuel or water at anchorage. Ceuta (18nm E) or Tangier (20nm SW) for full facilities.
Nearest provisions: Ceuta city centre (18nm E) (18nm)
Best Months & Season
Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct
April–October. Useful staging point in all seasons for Strait timing. W/NW Atlantic swells are strongest November–March. Levante risk from Oct–Mar means anchor here briefly on passage only; do not plan extended stays without good forecast cover.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 90m
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.
Download Free for iOS