We are in the Med!

Gibraltar

From Cadiz we headed toward Gibraltar and through the famed Strait of Gibraltar. The strait is a narrow body of water that separates continental Europe (Spain) from Africa (Morocco), and the Atlantic Ocean from the Mediterranean Sea. It is just over eight miles wide at its thinnest point and serves as a funnel for shipping traffic into and out of the Med. This was the final sail of our Atlantic crossing to the Mediterranean, our goal since leaving the US east coast in May.

While it wasn’t going to be a long sail, we left Cadiz at first light hoping to arrive at the strait with a favorable current and before the winds picked up. The sailing guides and many sailors warned us about the dangerous winds, strong currents and heavy ship traffic. We motored along the coast of Spain in calm waters until arriving at Traifa, where the winds picked up. As we rounded the point and headed through the strait, we put the sails up, turned the motor off and had a great sail into Gibraltar Bay. As forecast, the shipping traffic increased and we had a good push from the eastbound current.

Our AIS system (which identifies all large ships and sends information about them to us) was tracking 100 targets (the gray triangles). They were all close to us, but we were headed on a parallel course so the shipping traffic turned out not to be an issue.

As were worked our way along the Spanish coast, the African coast, then the rock of Gibraltar and finally the territory of Gibraltar came into view. We were welcomed to Gibraltar by a pod of dolphins that swam along with us as we came into the bay.

The Gibraltar Bay was full of large cargo ships and tankers. Because of its position on a major shipping route, the bay is one of the largest fueling ports for ships. We wound through the large ships, some at anchor fueling and others on their way in, or out of, the bay, into a marina right next to the airport.

We had completed our Atlantic crossing and where now in the Mediterranean Sea!

Gibraltar is a British overseas territory on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula and is at the eastern entrance to the Strait. It only covers 2.6 square miles and is one of the most densely populated towns in the world, with over 30,000 people.

The town of Gibraltar was full of tourist from the cruise ships so we did a quick pass through and then spent the day on the rock. It is hard to believe there is so much to see on such a small rock.

The views are fantastic. Looking south you see the rock, the bay, the strait and Morocco.

Looking north you see the rock and the Costa del Sol.

We were greeted at the top of the rock by monkeys. They have been living on the rock since the 17th century.

We spent most of the day walking around the rock, touring the caves, tunnels and Moorish castle.

While a great day, by the end we were beat, we were hot and we were tired.