How to Travel from Spain to Morocco by Ferry

QUICK SUMMARY:

Cost per person one way for a seat: About 51€
Cost for a cabin per person: About 70€
Travel Time: Between 5 to 10 hrs (depending on vessel and time)
Ferry Companies: Several options. We used Balearia
Immigration Process: There’s an immigration officer on board, quite convenient!
Port in Nador: The port of Nador is shared with the port of the Spanish enclave, Melilla

Almeria to Nador takes about 5 to 8 hrs or sometimes 10 depending on which vessel and whether you’re leaving in the day or night. At least 2 major companies plying this route: Balearia and Transmediterranea.

For ferries leaving from Malaga, Tarifa, etc… You can check out all the list of ferries here. This is just for reference. It’s still better to book directly by going to the individual websites of the companies listed above. We tried to book online with Balearia but the payment part didn’t work. Lucky us we live close, the port is just a 10-minute walk away so we just went there a few days before to buy our tickets. We got the cheapest one which costs around 51 euro each. There are no seat numbers and no one seemed to care where you sat or hang out except when you booked for a cabin, I guess.

Standard “Butaca” seats from Almeria Spain to Nador Morocco via Balearia

Storing your Luggage

For on foot passengers, upon boarding, there’s a guy who will ask you to leave your things in one area. No tags or anything, just trust.

Onboard-lunch-buffet-Spain-to-Morocco.whileinafrica

Onboard Lunch Buffet at Balearia

Food

As we left during lunchtime, there was a full buffet in the restaurant to order from at reasonable prices. After this period, only the bar was open where you can get small snacks and coffee. I learned that they only sell cigarettes in reams so beware smokers, and bring a pack or not smoke at all.

Trip Quality

We left at 1 pm and note that they don’t have fixed schedules. It depends on which season and day you’re leaving. Overall, we were happy with Balearia. Our trip took an 8hr grueling survival from the kids’ endless screams of crying and giggling. Half of the passengers were children so be ready with your earplugs or travel at night :p It was smooth sailing and can’t complain. We were able to relax and listen to music and podcasts the whole time. Some passengers took to the floor and made themselves a makeshift cabin.

Onboard Immigration Spain (Almeria) to Morocco (Nador)

Immigration on Board

Upon boarding, I suggest getting in line in the onboard immigration to have your passport stamped. I have a Philippine passport and I don’t need a visa to Morocco though as usual, they have loads of questions first before I was granted that stamp

The Port of Nador

The port of Nador is shared with the port of the Spanish enclave, Melilla. Nador city center is about 12km away from this port.

Port in Nador

Taxi to Nador

Upon disembarking, there’s another line for checking of passports and then another one for scanning of luggage. Afterward, you exit and to go to the city of Nador, you have the option for shared taxis (.60€) or private ones (10€). The drive will take only 20 minutes

From Nador, there are buses and trains to go to other parts of Morocco. You can buy the ticket a few hrs before you travel but we got ours a day before to be sure. From Nador, we booked a train to Marrakesh.