Those sailing into Gibraltar will be happy to learn that there is no VAT charged on The Rock, due to its relationship with the UK and the EU. However, there is an import duty, but vessels in transit are exempt.

Vessels arriving in Gibraltar must register at the reporting berth in Marina Bay and crew should expect thorough adherence to procedures due to the variety of illegal trafficking that goes on in the Strait.

Gibraltar has three marinas:

Queensway Quay
Tel: 75148

Queensway Quay

Queensway Quay Marina is the main port and is a British naval base. It is however also used for commercial and recreational purposes.

Queensway Quay is noted for its peace and tranquility in spite of being right in town. It is also a popular place to have a meal as there is a variety of restaurants and bars here. This is the review given the port by the crew of a vessel travelling from Dartmouth to Barcelona via Gibraltar: " Queensway Quay is very handy for the town and inexpensive (£7 a day - in 2000). Showers and toilets are good, ice is available at the Marina, water and electricity are both metered. Water is not in short supply on the Rock but is costly, being obtained by desalination. Mooring is Mediterranean style, with (double) stern pick up lines on the pontoon. On the whole, the staff were very helpful."

Marina Bay
Tel: 73300

Marina Bay

Marina Bay is located at the northern side of the rock, but faces west and is protected from the humid, east wind called the "Levant". The marina offers 209 modern births with computerised service to administer all the basic amenities as well as satellite TV. Showers and bathroom facilities are available and staff are on duty 24 hours a day. There is also a repair service here for larger vessels.

A variety of businesses are located in this marina including financial services and a supermarket. There are also numerous restaurants offering a wide variety of local, Spanish and international cuisine.

Sheppard's Marina
Tel: 75148

Sheppard's Marina is located directly opposite Marina Bay and also looks out over the airport runway (which is built over the water). Here there are berths for 150 yachts. In the words of the marina's management, "Our system of concrete piers with floating pontoon berths, in a sheltered location, provides very secure berthing in all weather conditions all year round. We have both alongside and stern-to berths with water and electricity available."

Note: Gibraltar phone numbers consist of five digits. When phoning from within Gibraltar just dial the five digits. When phoning from the Costa del Sol and the rest of Spain precede the number with 9567. When phoning from other countries precede the number with the international dialling code which is 350.

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