Ferry route could open between Morocco & Canary Islands

[mikebeaches]

Not sure if this would be of interest to anybody?

According to the editorial, the Moroccan government is seeking an operator to run a ferry from the south of the country to Fuerteventura, with a suggested crossing time of less than 2 hours.

Ferry route could open between Morocco and the Canary Islands

The journey by boat could take under two hours.

www.lonelyplanet.com

 

[Rapphil]

100kms in two hours that’s one fast ferry!!!

 

[ManTheVan]

100kms in two hours that’s one fast ferry!!!

Yep, but it’s not unusual. The Condor Rapide does 48kn, which is just under 90km/h. It’s an awesome thing to see from another boat, especially when it’s heading anywhere near you going even half its top speed.

There would be no problem doing the (just under) 100km in under 2 hours. Motorhomes in the Canaries! Yes please!

 

[John.]

That’s excellent news for us if it happens

Having done the 32 hour crossing three times from Cadiz to Lanzarote then the 20 minutes ferry to Fuerteventura we hate putting Charlie
in the kennels.
Can’t think of a better diversion than into Morocco then a 2 hr ferry to Fuerteventura

 

[Two of usI]

Having never ventured over the Med into N. Africa......... is it a safe drive from Tangier ( I guess) to Agadir, ( 500ml ) and are there safe stopping points on the way down

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[dabhand]

Having never ventured over the Med into N. Africa......... is it a safe drive from Tangier ( I guess) to Agadir, ( 500ml ) and are there safe stopping points on the way down

Absolutely, Yes it is and I’ll be on it as soon as I can, view the Morocco threads on here, lots on fun go some several times.

 

[Mr David]

Absolutely, Yes it is and I’ll be on it as soon as I can, view the Morocco threads on here, lots on fun go some several times.

Morocco is a wonderful and safe country to visit. Combining a visit to Morocco reroute to the Canary Islands particularly if the ferry crossing is 2 hours would be a great way to get to the Canary Islands.

 

[John.]

Saw a new campsite advertised in Fuerteventura a few weeks back. I think it was at Corralejo with marked pitches and facilities I’ll try and find a link.

 

[Helen Ariel]

What are the potentials for wild camping /aires in fuerteventura? Same rules as Spain?

 

[mikebeaches]

What are the potentials for wild camping /aires in fuerteventura? Same rules as Spain?

Over the years, we've noticed a fair bit of wild camping on Fuerteventura.

But once there, it's easy to get to the other islands on local ferries, especially Lanzarote.

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[mikebeaches]

100kms in two hours that’s one fast ferry!!!

I thought that too, although the article does say the distance is less than 100km.

 

[gpat]

I would definitely give that one a try. 2 hours is optimistic, all these fast ferries are being phased out. Isle of Man to Liverpool is about 100kms and the Manannan fast craft does does it in 2:45 at 30knots.

I would still settle for that though

 

[nicholsong]

When I saw the headline I thought some commercial company had identified a market for a service.

But it is only a government pipedream, so I shall forget it till it happens, and even then with a subsidy which is dropped after year one with the consequent sinking of the project.

As for developping southern Morrocco would it not be better to connect it with mainland Europe instead of outlying islands? Methinks some commercial gain for politicians is the driving motive.

Geoff

 

[frogijock]

Is this in addition to the rubber ferries that are at present running to Canaries

 

[canopus]

In principle I welcome the idea but would feel daunted by the 90 days in 180 rule. Not sure how our Spanish compadres would view it. Cross from Algeciras to Maroc spend however long in Maroc, then cross to Fuerteventura (EU) for however long. Then back to Maroc long long drive back up Tangier for the crossing back into EU land and back to Blighty before your 3 months have elapsed. Could entail a chunk of your 3 moths driving.

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[Yorick]

That's very interesting. Will be nice to welcome more of you

 

[canopus]

Just checked the mileage. Thick end of 2500 miles for us from home to Tarfaya. Another stumbling block which could upest the applecart is Tarfaya's proximity to Western Sahara, the disputed territory that Maroc & (SADR) Algeria have been squabbling about since Spain relinquished control. It can be difficult for foreigners driving down there and negotiating the many check points along the route.

 

[mikebeaches]

In principle I welcome the idea but would feel daunted by the 90 days in 180 rule. Not sure how our Spanish compadres would view it. Cross from Algeciras to Maroc spend however long in Maroc, then cross to Fuerteventura (EU) for however long. Then back to Maroc long long drive back up Tangier for the crossing back into EU land and back to Blighty before your 3 months have elapsed. Could entail a chunk of your 3 moths driving.

Depending on the total duration of the trip, I'd have thought it could be quite helpful to spend some time in Morocco, given the 90 days EU limit is on a rolling basis out of any 180 days.

 

[Yorick]

I just sent the link to a few pals here. Apparently the rumours have been rife for years.

Fingers crossed though.
I'll be taking the 4WD and dirt bikes over there

 

[John.]

Ideal for us as we would be out of the EU whilst in Morcoco so back to six months away in winter.
last trip we left Fuerteventura and arrived back in the UK about 16 days later because of the 6 months rule and B***** so easy enough to do but no fun

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[canopus]

Depending on the total duration of the trip, I'd have thought it could be quite helpful to spend some time in Morocco, given the 90 days EU limit is on a rolling basis out of any 180 days.

You can stay for 3 months with a standard visa in Maroc, which can be extended if you take up temporary residence on a campsite. The stumbling block, as I see it, would be the French and Spanish date stamps in your passport. Technically your 90 in 180 starts when you land in France or Spain. There may be a way round that if you cross in one year and return during the following year.

 

[mikebeaches]

You can stay for 3 months with a standard visa in Maroc, which can be extended if you take up temporary residence on a campsite. The stumbling block, as I see it, would be the French and Spanish date stamps in your passport. Technically your 90 in 180 starts when you land in France or Spain. There may be a way round that if you cross in one year and return during the following year.

So are you saying that by leaving the EU to spend time in Morocco, it doesn't count as time out of the EU as far as the 90-day rule is concerned?

And I'm not sure what difference the calendar year has - none I should have thought.

 

[nicholsong]

Is this in addition to the rubber ferries that are at present running to Canaries

No it is so that those arriving illegally in the Canaries from Senegal or wherever can be more easily returned to Africa.

 

[John.]

What are the potentials for wild camping /aires in fuerteventura? Same rules as Spain?

Over the years, we've noticed a fair bit of wild camping on Fuerteventura.

But once there, it's easy to get to the other islands on local ferries, especially Lanzarote.

Mike is spot on lots of wild camping all over the island virtually every tarmac road has a track running parallel alongside.
These lead down to the coast or villages etc and then onto lots of quiet areas some places where the occupants have moved probably to be closer to work/facilities etc.

I don’t know of any Aires but certainly a couple of campsites they reminded me of the French municipal ones but we only drove past and didn’t like the look of them
A new campsite was advertised on a local Fuerte page which looked good (trying to find the page) a few garages do water and waste dumps and gas sales.
last year the Guardia Civil moved vans from the El Cotillo areas which were parked alongside the sand dunes which is a major tourist attraction.
Not sure about the laws but hundreds of vans wild camp all over the island.

Tarajalejo, Las Salinas, Playa Blanca are places we’ve visited lots of times to name a few always popular with vans mainly German and
main land Spanish but always had a good chat and laugh with them.

Ferries to other islands are easy and ok prices.

 

[gpat]

yeah lots of motorhomes in Tenerife, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria. Wild camping tolerated but very few sites. With the Canaries being in Schengen though not seeing that much advantage

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[Yorick]

It's guaranteed at least 20c every day of winter. And mild evenings.

 

[Helen Ariel]

Yeah it was more for the weather and if we don't enjoy Morocco then would be cool to pop over to the canaries as I've I've holidayed there many times but just flying in for a week in the sun and it would be great to explore them in the motorhome.

 

[jongood]

You can stay for 3 months with a standard visa in Maroc, which can be extended if you take up temporary residence on a campsite. The stumbling block, as I see it, would be the French and Spanish date stamps in your passport. Technically your 90 in 180 starts when you land in France or Spain. There may be a way round that if you cross in one year and return during the following year.

my understanding is that your stay in Morocco could be deducted from the 90 days, although you would have to add any time spent in the canaries. personally not holding my breath but hope the Morocco ferries are running again this winter.

 

[gpat]

my understanding is that your stay in Morocco could be deducted from the 90 days, although you would have to add any time spent in the canaries. personally not holding my breath but hope the Morocco ferries are running again this winter.

Your time in Morocco does not count as any of your 90days

 

[John.]

That’s my take on it all.
Leave home end of October,
three weeks to Morocco, six weeks in Morocco,
six weeks in Fuerteventura,
six weeks in Morocco,
three weeks to home.
If that works ok it would give us the 90 days in the EU but less than six months out of the UK.

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