Asilah
Arzila · Assilah · Arcila
35°27.9'N 06°02.0'W
Depth
3–6m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
90m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
90m
90m on clean sand — good holding but exposed Atlantic swell can set up uncomfortable roll. In SW swell above 1.5m, the anchorage becomes untenable. Monitor swell forecasts; depart at first sign of W or SW development.
About This Anchorage
Asilah is arguably the most beautiful town on Morocco's Atlantic coast — a whitewashed Portuguese-built medina on a clifftop headland, its 15th-century ramparts rising directly from the sea. The Portuguese captured Asilah in 1471 and held it for a century, leaving behind extraordinary fortifications: the hexagonal Torre de Homenaje, the massive Borj al-Kamra tower, and the complete circuit of sea walls that are among the best-preserved in North Africa. Inside the medina, the narrow streets have been transformed by an international mural festival held annually since 1978 — the walls are covered in extraordinary large-scale paintings. The anchorage south of the port in 3–6m over clean sand is comfortable in settled weather, exposed to SW swell. The fishing harbour north is generally too crowded for visiting yachts. Asilah is justifiably popular with the Moroccan bourgeoisie in summer — the town fills with artists and the arts scene is vibrant.
Protected From
N · NE · E
Exposed To
W · SW · S
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring; harbour dues if using port facilities
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Customs required if first port of entry (normally cleared at Tangier first); fishing harbour crowded — anchor off; predawn fishing fleet departure — maintain anchor watch 04:00–06:00.
Hazards
- !Atlantic W/SW swell 1–2m typical even in summer — anchorage exposed; uncomfortable in any westerly
- !Fishing fleet departs predawn (04:00–06:00) with unlit gear — anchor well clear of harbour entrance
- !No shelter from W or SW — leave immediately if W or SW swell forecast above 1.5m
- !Tidal range 2.5–3m — anchor with adequate scope for low-water depth; sand bottom drains fast
- !Medina walls can create wind shadow making approach tricky — approach from S or SE
Skipper's Tips
- →The complete circuit of the medina walls takes 45 minutes to walk — do it at sunset for extraordinary light on the Atlantic
- →The annual International Cultural Moussem (August) fills the town — book arrival around this if possible
- →Water taxi from anchorage to town beach possible — wave to one of the small fishing boats
- →Anchor further S than seems necessary — the bay shoals towards the breakwater and local boats move early
- →Asilah is 30nm from Tangier — easy day sail south; good lunch stop with overnight if weather settled
Facilities
Medina has several excellent restaurants — Dar Barraka and Casa Garcia well-regarded. Provisions in town market. No fuel or water at anchorage — nearest fuel Tangier (30nm N) or Larache (30nm S).
Nearest provisions: Asilah medina market (0.3nm)
Best Months & Season
Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct
April–October. Summer Alize (15–22kt NNE) makes southbound sailing fast. Anchorage best Apr–Jun and Sep–Oct when swell is most manageable. Summer months can bring short-period W swell — monitor carefully. Not recommended Nov–Mar.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 90m
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