From many parts of the Costa del Sol one can see the African coast line across the Strait of Gibraltar. At night it is magical to be able to see lights shining on another continent.
At the shortest point Morocco is only 14 kms or 9 miles across the water. But arriving in the country from Spain is like going back in time to a very different world. Even the time zone is one hour ahead and of course Arabic and French is spoken, together with Muslim restrictions on alcohol and other customs.
The Strait is one of the busiest waterways in the world. Being the gateway to the Western Mediterranean, cruise liners, container ships, tankers and fishing vessels all pass each other within strict shipping lanes. Ferries go between Spain and Morocco almost every hour and on a calm day only taking 35 minutes. At the shortest point Morocco is only 14 kms or 9 miles across the water. But arriving in the country from Spain is like going back in time to a very different world. Even the time zone is one hour ahead and of course Arabic and French is spoken, together with Muslim restrictions on alcohol and other customs.
While being narrow it may be surprising to learn the Strait is very deep. In fact a mind blowing 900m deep or 2,950 ft with an average depth of 300m. With such depths this link between the Atlantic Ocean directly to the Mediterranean Sea creates unique water flow and wave patterns, caused by the interaction of various regional and global evaporative forces and wind forces.
In 2003 Spain and Morocco explored the construction of an under-sea rail tunnel, due the depth of the Strait this has not progressed although it has been reviewed in 2012 and remains in the planning stage.
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