Ports in Gibraltar and La Línea: arrival, harbour information and sailing destinations

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Gibraltar and La Línea de la Concepción lie directly next to each other on the northern side of the Strait of Gibraltar: Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory, La Línea is the Spanish neighbouring town on the other side of the land border. Here you can read how to reach Gibraltar and La Línea for your trip departure, which harbour is where, where to shop, what wind and current to expect, which sailing destinations are nearby and what skippers need to bear in mind when berthing and at the border.

Which harbours are there in Gibraltar and La Línea?

Yachts berth at three locations in Gibraltar and La Línea on the Bay of Gibraltar. Right in the north, on the western shore of the isthmus and already in Spain, lies Alcaidesa Marina in La Línea. Around 1.2 kilometres further south, on the other side of the runway, follow the two neighbouring basins Ocean Village and Marina Bay in Gibraltar. Almost one and a half kilometres further south lies Queensway Quay Marina in Gibraltar Harbour, closest to the old town.

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Arriving for trip departure in Gibraltar and La Línea

Gibraltar has its own airport directly next to the marinas. The larger airport in the region is Málaga, around 95 kilometres as the crow flies to the northeast.

From Gibraltar or Málaga Airport to the marinas

From Gibraltar Airport all three marinas are close: Ocean Village and Marina Bay lie less than a kilometre as the crow flies away, Alcaidesa Marina is around ten minutes' walk beyond the border in La Línea. To Queensway Quay Marina it is just under two kilometres. A taxi rank is directly in front of the terminal; for journeys in Spain there is another taxi rank on the right after the border crossing on Avenida Príncipe de Asturias. Within Gibraltar, bus routes 5, 10 and X5 run from the airport into town.

On arrival at Gibraltar Airport there are two controls: Gibraltar's immigration control and the Schengen control by Spanish officials. After that you can cross the land border into Spain without further controls, including directly to Alcaidesa Marina. Travellers without a passport from an EU or Schengen state, for example from the United Kingdom, are now registered in the European Entry/Exit System (EES), that is with photograph and fingerprints. For them, days in Gibraltar now count towards the 90 days they may spend within 180 days in the Schengen Area (as of October 2026).

From Málaga Airport you drive by hire car along the coastal motorway westwards. By bus you travel via Málaga to La Línea. La Línea's bus station lies near the border.

By car, train or bus

By car you come via the A-7 or the toll road AP-7 from Málaga, from the direction of Cádiz and Jerez via Algeciras. At exit 119 you change onto the N-351 towards La Línea and follow the signs to Gibraltar. The turn-off to Alcaidesa Marina has its own turning lane, so you don't have to wait in border traffic.

By rail you reach Algeciras on the other side of the bay. From San Bernardo station in Algeciras, bus route M-120 runs to La Línea. Long-distance buses also connect La Línea with Málaga and Seville.

Which marina is mine?

What matters is whether your harbour is in Spain or in Gibraltar. Alcaidesa Marina belongs to La Línea, Ocean Village and Marina Bay lie in Gibraltar directly next to each other. Queensway Quay Marina lies further south at Gibraltar Harbour, at Ragged Staff Wharf. So tell the taxi driver "Alcaidesa Marina La Línea", "Marina Bay" or "Queensway Quay".

Parking

All three harbours have car parks nearby. Alcaidesa Marina has large parking areas on its own premises with direct access to the pontoons; another car park is located around 600 metres away on Calle Sagrario. From Ocean Village and Marina Bay it is around 300 metres to the car park at Sir William Jackson Grove. From Queensway Quay Marina you can reach the car park at Convent Ramp after around 300 metres and Midtown Car Park on Reclamation Road after around 700 metres.

Showers and sanitary facilities

All three marinas have toilet facilities with showers and a laundry. Alcaidesa Marina also has accessible toilet facilities; washing machine and tumble dryer are in the same building.

Shopping for the trip

From Ocean Village and Marina Bay it is around 200 metres to the Eroski supermarket on Waterport Road; Ocean Village itself also has a minimarket. The larger Morrisons supermarket on Harbour Views Road is around one kilometre from Ocean Village, Marina Bay and Queensway Quay Marina. From Alcaidesa Marina you walk around 900 metres to the Ruiz Galán supermarket on Calle Santa Marta in La Línea. By car or taxi you can also reach Morrisons in Gibraltar from there.

Since July 2026 there have been no customs checks at the land border for persons with goods. So you can shop on both sides and bring provisions on foot to the marina.

Doctor, pharmacy and emergency services

Gibraltar's only hospital, St Bernard's Hospital with accident and emergency department on Harbour Views Road, is around 700 metres from Ocean Village and Marina Bay and around 800 metres from Queensway Quay Marina. Ocean Village also has a GP and dental practice. From Alcaidesa Marina it is around 800 metres to the Poniente–El Junquillo health centre in La Línea.

The nearest pharmacies: for Ocean Village and Marina Bay, Ocean Pharmacy on Bayside Road (around 200 metres) and Waterport Pharmacy (around 350 metres); for Queensway Quay Marina, Wesley Pharmacy in Victualling Office Lane (around 400 metres); for Alcaidesa Marina, Farmacia G. Duarte in Calle del Sol (around 550 metres).

Which number you dial depends on which side of the border you are on:

• Gibraltar: 999 for police, ambulance and fire brigade
• La Línea and the whole of Spain: 112, the general emergency number
• 900 202 202: free emergency number of the Spanish sea rescue service Salvamento Marítimo, if you are reporting someone in distress at sea from land
• At sea: emergency call via VHF channel 16 or distress alert via DSC on channel 70

The harbours in Gibraltar and La Línea compared

Alcaidesa Marina is the largest of the three; the marinas in Gibraltar are smaller and closer to the town.

Feature	Alcaidesa Marina	Ocean Village and Marina Bay	Queensway Quay Marina
Country	Spain (La Línea)	Gibraltar	Gibraltar
Berths	624, boats from 8 to 90 m	Marina Bay around 210, plus Ocean Village	around 160, for yachts up to 100 m
Water depth	5 m	4,5 m	4,5 m
VHF channel	9	71	71
Office	daily 8 a.m.–8 p.m., berth assistance around the clock	Reception around the clock	March–October 8:30 a.m.–10 p.m., otherwise until 9 p.m.

Where is Alcaidesa Marina?

Alcaidesa Marina is located in La Línea de la Concepción on the western shore of the isthmus, north of the runway, with a view south towards the Rock. A breakwater protects the basin to the south and west. La Línea's waterfront promenade begins right next door.

With 624 berths for boats from 8 to 90 metres in length, it is the largest of the three marinas.

Facilities at Alcaidesa Marina

The berths have water and electricity; the pontoons have Wi-Fi; the pontoons are only accessible with an access card. The fuel station sells diesel and petrol. For work on the boat the marina has a boat lift for 75 tonnes and boatyard facilities. The boat lift operates on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. In addition there is a chandlery, a café with tapas bar and a restaurant.

Where are Ocean Village and Marina Bay?

Ocean Village and Marina Bay are on the west side of Gibraltar between the harbour's north mole and the runway. Marina Bay is the northern basin; Ocean Village lies directly to the south. Both belong to the same operator and have a joint reception on Leisure Island.

Marina Bay has around 210 berths. The marina allocates guest berths on request for boats up to 90 metres in length. Around the basins there are residential buildings, restaurants, bars and a hotel ship; you can reach the town centre on foot.

Facilities at Ocean Village and Marina Bay

The berths have water and electricity, plus Wi-Fi and security service around the clock. You can get fuel at the fuel station. Around the basins there is a minimarket, a chandlery, restaurants, a gym and a GP and dental practice.

Where is Queensway Quay Marina?

Queensway Quay Marina is in the central part of Gibraltar harbour at Ragged Staff Wharf, south of Coaling Island. It is the southernmost of the three marinas and the closest to the old town.

The marina has around 160 berths for yachts up to 100 metres in length. The basin is well protected from wind and swell.

Facilities at Queensway Quay Marina

At the berths there is water and electricity up to 500 amperes.

What is the weather like in Gibraltar and La Línea for sailing?

In the Strait of Gibraltar two winds determine sailing: the Levante from the east and the Poniente from the west. They arise from the pressure difference between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean; the strait channels them and makes them stronger. With an easterly wind it is gusty in the Bay of Gibraltar.

The tidal range is only half a metre to one metre. More important is the current: at the surface Atlantic water constantly flows eastwards into the Mediterranean, plus the tidal streams, which become particularly strong on the Atlantic side.

For Spanish coastal waters the weather service AEMET issues a yellow warning from force 7, an orange warning from force 8 and a red warning from force 10.

Which sailing destinations lie near Gibraltar and La Línea?

From Gibraltar you sail either east around Europa Point to the Costa del Sol, west through the strait to the Atlantic coast or across the strait to Africa. The distances apply from all three marinas; they differ by less than one nautical mile. These are rounded distances over water on the usual course; for precise planning the chart applies.

• Ceuta: around 16 nm south across the strait, the Spanish city on the African coast
• Sotogrande: around 17 nm northeast, around Europa Point
• Estepona: around 26 nm on the Costa del Sol
• Tangier: around 30 nm southwest on the Moroccan coast, past Tarifa
• Puerto Banús: around 35 nm
• Barbate: around 36 nm west, through the strait and around Tarifa to the Atlantic coast
• Benalmádena: around 55 nm, a long day's passage on the Costa del Sol

Morocco is not part of the Schengen area, so for the return to Gibraltar or Spain the rules for entry from a third country apply. You can read more about Benalmádena in the feature on Puerto Marina in Benalmádena.

What can you do on a harbour day in Gibraltar and La Línea?

From all three marinas you can reach the centre of Gibraltar on foot, from Queensway Quay Marina most quickly.

• Main Street and Casemates Square: The Main Street is Gibraltar's shopping mile. At the end lies Casemates Square with bars and cafés, in the middle the Catholic cathedral of St Mary the Crowned.
• Upper Rock Nature Reserve: You can take the cable car from Grand Parade up to the Rock. At the top live the Barbary macaques, the only free-living monkeys in Europe. A simple tour takes around an hour and a half.
• St Michael's Cave and Great Siege Tunnels: In the stalactite cave hang stalactites; the tunnels were driven into the rock during the Great Siege of 1779 to 1783 to position guns there.
• Europa Point: From the southern tip of Gibraltar you look across the strait to North Africa.
• Dolphin trips: Several species of dolphin live in the bay. Excursion boats go out for around an hour and a half.

For skippers: Berthing, border and sea weather in Gibraltar and La Línea

You call all three marinas on VHF: Alcaidesa Marina on channel 9, Ocean Village and Marina Bay as well as Queensway Quay Marina on channel 71. For the Gibraltar port authority you call Gibraltar VTS on channel 12.

Registration and Berthing

• Alcaidesa Marina: First you make fast at the reception pontoon and complete the formalities, then you go to the allocated berth. In strong wind the reception pontoon lies uneasy. You can reserve via the marina's website.
• Ocean Village and Marina Bay: You book guest berths online.
• Queensway Quay Marina: You can reserve via the marina's website.

Harbour rules

• In the inner harbour of Gibraltar between the moles you proceed at no more than 5 knots according to the harbour rules; this applies to the approach to Queensway Quay Marina.
• In Queensway Quay Marina, the entrance is closed at night with a floating gate.

Approach

North of Europa Point, the Bay of Gibraltar is free of obstacles but heavily trafficked: many cargo vessels transit and anchor in the Strait and in the bay. Expect tidal streams and gusts with easterly winds.

The entrance to Alcaidesa Marina is approximately 100 metres wide and clear of hazards. At the head of the breakwater there is a green light flashing every five seconds, and opposite at Muelle de San Felipe a red light with the same characteristic. At night, the white light at Europa Point with a range of 18 nautical miles aids navigation.

A traffic separation scheme runs through the Strait of Gibraltar. Yachts are not required to report to Tarifa Traffic, but the traffic centre monitors Channel 16 and broadcasts weather and navigational warnings on Channel 10. If you cross the traffic separation scheme — for example, en route to Ceuta or Tangier — Rule 10 of the Collision Regulations applies: cross at right angles to the traffic flow.

Entering by boat and orcas

As of October 2026: since 15 July 2026, the UK and the EU have provisionally applied the agreement on Gibraltar, and Gibraltar is included in the Schengen rules. If you arrive by boat at a Gibraltar harbour from a third country such as Morocco, you report your arrival to the Captain of the Port and submit a list of all persons on board no later than upon arrival. Have the boat papers, crew list with names, nationalities and passport numbers, and passports ready for clearance.

An orca population lives in the Gulf of Cádiz and in the Strait of Gibraltar that has repeatedly interacted with sailing boats since 2020. The Spanish Ministry for the Environment recommends avoiding a defined area in the Gulf of Cádiz and in the Strait from April to August and sailing as close to the coast as is safely possible. If you encounter orcas, do not stop the boat; instead head towards the coast into shallower water and report the encounter on Channel 16 to the nearest rescue coordination centre. A map of the area is available on the Spanish Ministry for the Environment's website.

Which marine weather forecast applies in Gibraltar and La Línea?

For the bay, the coastal forecast issued by the Spanish weather service AEMET for the coastal waters of Cádiz applies, specifically the section from Punta Carnero to Punta Chullera. It gives wind, sea state, visibility and warnings for the coastal waters; for longer passages, the sea area Estrecho is additionally relevant. You can read the current report on the AEMET sea weather page.

Underway, Tarifa Traffic broadcasts weather reports on VHF Channel 10. By NAVTEX you receive the station Tarifa, in English under the identifier G on 518 kHz. Severe weather warnings for Gibraltar are issued by the UK Met Office.

Trips departing Gibraltar and La Línea on Törnfinder

In October 2026, there are 9 trip dates on Törnfinder in the next twelve months departing from or arriving at Gibraltar and La Línea. Most depart in October, November and May, and typically last 13 days.

All current offers are in the trip overview. An overview of the neighbouring country is available on the page Sailing in Spain; you will find trips in the wider sailing area under Sailing in the Mediterranean. Trips out onto the Atlantic can be found under Cabin Charter for a Transatlantic Crossing.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get from Gibraltar Airport to the marina?

On foot or by taxi, as all three harbours are close to the airport. Alcaidesa Marina in La Línea is accessible directly via the border; Ocean Village and Marina Bay are on the Gibraltar side immediately southwest of the runway.

Do I have to show my passport at the border between Gibraltar and Spain?

No, since 15 July 2026 there are no routine controls at the land border. Checks are carried out on arrival at Gibraltar Airport, there by Gibraltar and by Spanish officials for the Schengen area. You should still have your passport with you.

Where do I park at the start of a trip in Gibraltar and La Línea?

All three harbours have car parks nearby: Alcaidesa Marina on its own premises, Ocean Village and Marina Bay approximately 300 metres away at Sir William Jackson Grove, Queensway Quay Marina approximately 300 metres away at Convent Ramp.

Are there showers in the marinas?

Yes, all three marinas have sanitary facilities with showers and a laundry. Alcaidesa Marina additionally has accessible sanitary facilities.

Which VHF channel do I use in Gibraltar and La Línea?

You can reach Alcaidesa Marina on Channel 9, Ocean Village, Marina Bay and Queensway Quay Marina on Channel 71. Gibraltar VTS monitors Channel 12, Tarifa Traffic in the Strait monitors Channel 10.

How far is it from Gibraltar to Ceuta and Tangier?

To Ceuta it is approximately 16 nautical miles across the Strait, to Tangier approximately 30 nautical miles. On both routes you cross the traffic separation scheme in the Strait.