We left Barbate at around 10.0am which was two hours after low water Gibraltar. Picking the right time is key as the tides can be strong. We chose the route inside the Baja Cabezos (the bank that is the main obstacle on the route) and with very light winds found we needed to motor for much of the time. We make 6 knots under motor on average and though the main advice is to leave Barabate ‘just after Low Water Gib’ found ourselves still with a knot of tide against us as we passed the bank. Having done the trip we would have left an hour later if we’d known, but it only affected our speed and did not cause any other problems. We had a straightforward passage, exciting seeing Africa emerge from the mists and the Straits widen out before us. The peninsular of Tarifa has a reputation for very strong winds for 300 days of the year. We were well reefed down and ready for it. As we rounded the point our apparent wind speed was 1.9kts – hardly a breath! It picked up to 9knts so we stopped the motor as the tide was now with us and sailed slowly down the Straits watching the many big ships pass in and out in the shipping lanes further offshore.
Gibraltar Bay is a shock when you emerge into it. The chart-plotter is covered with the AIS symbols of large vessels, over 50 big things pointing at you! Luckily many are moored but even so, we had an interesting few minutes trying to sort out what was a problem from those that were stationary. Crossing the Bay we saw many dolphins, 3 came to play in our bow wave, but the school must of comprised 30 in total. Quite a spectacle whilst dodging container ships! Our starboard engine has been making an odd noise for a few days and chose this moment to sound the overheating alarm meaning it had to be turned off. Thank goodness we’re a cat and have two engines.......... we chugged at half speed across the bay and into La Linea Marina where the grumpy engine consented to join the party for the few minutes we needed it to moor up. Engine work ahead!

Photo : Tarifa ( to port) and Morocco (to starboard) – Europe and Africa emerging from the mist