Gibraltar might be small in size, but it punches well above its weight when it comes to charm, history, and utility for cruisers prepping for, or recovering from, an Atlantic crossing.

Situated at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, this British Overseas Territory is a unique blend of Mediterranean climate and British culture, with easy access to Europe and North Africa. Whether you’re provisioning, waiting on weather, or simply taking a break before moving on to the next part of your cruising plans, Gibraltar has plenty to offer liveaboard cruisers. It was one of our favourite places, somewhere that truly has more to offer than meets the eye.

Entering Gibraltar

For those sailing in, it’s recommended you complete a Vessel Pre-Arrival Notification a day or two in advance via the HM Customs Gibraltar website. All boats must berth in a marina and upon arrival the marina staff will handle your check-in and liaise with customs and immigration. Passports are checked, but not stamped. As of mid 2025 Gibraltar remains outside the Schengen Zone so for non-EU sailors your time spent there doesn’t count against your Schengen visa limit, an important consideration for those managing time in Europe.

If you’re staying on the Spanish side but want to visit Gibraltar you’ll need to cross the land border at La Linea de la Concepcion. By foot it’s usually very quick, just make sure you take your passport as they will check it, and the Spanish side will stamp you in and out.

Sailing through the Straight of Gibraltar requires some planning, so be sure to check out the complete article on NFL about it. You can also set up the NFL app to notify you about orca data.

Marinas and anchorage options

There are no anchorages in Gibraltar so visiting yachts must stay at one of the two marinas, both of which are located near shops, restaurants, and services.

Ocean Village & Bay Marina is close the the border, overlooking the airport runway. It’s conveniently located next to an entertainment precinct with lots of restaurants and bars that can get quite lively, and the chandlery is just a few minutes walk away.

Queensway Quay offers a quieter, more residential vibe, with the quay wall being lined with nice restaurants. It’s located halfway down the peninsular meaning it’s a 10-15 walk to just about anywhere in Gibraltar, and was where we stayed during two extended visits.

If you decide you’d rather stay on the Spanish side, the Alcaidesa Marina and La Linea anchorage are just across the border.

Getting around Gibraltar

Gibraltar is walkable, compact, and packed with history around every corner. Public buses cover most of the territory and accept both GBP and EUR in cash. Scooters and bikes are popular but must follow local traffic rules, which includes that e-scooters MUST be ridden on the road with a helmet. Rideshare services aren’t available, but taxis and private hire drivers can be arranged.

If you’re renting a car to go and explore the region a bit more, you’ll likely pick it up on the Spanish side of the border. Keep in mind that parking within Gibraltar can be tricky, especially since most people who live there have cars. Also when crossing the Spain-Gibraltar border in a car you may get asked about the items you are carrying. We re-entered Gibraltar with a sail in the car that we’d taken to get repaired in Puerto Sherry and were questioned about what it was and the age.

Things to do in Gibraltar

For such a small area, Gibraltar has a surprising number of attractions. Top of the list is the Gibraltar Nature Reserve, a ticketed area where you’ll find a huge range of attractions including:

• St Michael’s Cave
• Apes’ Den (expect to see macaques up the Rock!)
• WWII Tunnel Historical Exhibit
• The Skywalk and Windsor Suspension Bridge
• Mediterranean Steps
• O’Hara’s Battery
• Moorish Castle
• Spur Battery
• Princess Caroline’s Battery
• Douglas Lookout

Outside the reserve, consider visiting:

• Europa Point
• The 100 Ton Gun
• Devil’s Gap Battery
• Catalan Bay Beach
• Gorham’s Cave
• Main Street and Grand Casemates Square
• Northern Defences (Highly recommend!)

For those wanting to go beyond the tourist trail, Gibraltar rewards curiosity with plenty to do off the beaten path. There are bunkers to explore, old military fortifications to hike, and quiet lookouts with sweeping sea views—just bring your legs and a bit of determination.

Food, drink, and groceries

Gibraltar’s culinary scene is quite multicultural. You’ll find everything from authentic Indian curries and Spanish tapas bars to classic British pub fare and Argentinean steakhouses. A few local favorites include:

• Jury’s Café for a relaxed brunch
• Pizzeria Plaza or Al Baraka for takeaway
• Rendezvous Chargrill for a nice evening out
• Las Iguanas for Mexican cuisine with a lively atmosphere

Grand Casemates Square, Ocean Village and Queensway Quay Marina all have a variety of restaurants if you feel like going out. There are also local food delivery services if you want something delivered to the marina.

Grocery shopping is surprisingly convenient in Gibraltar. The main supermarket is Morrisons, offering a wide range of British imports. It’s where many sailors stock up for long passages. There are also several Eroski stores for Spanish goods and smaller convenience shops like Ramsons near Ocean Village.

If you’re looking to save money or source harder-to-find items, you can hire a car or walk across the border to Carrefour or Mercadona in La Linea.

Marine services and supplies

Gibraltar has two well-regarded chandleries; Sheppard’s of Gibraltar and Gib Yachts. Both offer a solid selection of marine parts and are often cheaper than their EU counterparts thanks to Gibraltar’s VAT policy. If one store doesn’t have an item or brand, the other usually does, and sometimes you can order and pay for things in advance to make sure they’re there for you to collect on arrival.

Tradespeople and work facilities are more limited in Gibraltar and there isn’t the capacity to haul out boats or even remove some of the larger masts. If you have work that needs to be done, you may need to look at what’s available at Alcaidesa Marina instead.

One downside of Gibraltar is LPG bottle refills; you can’t get them refilled and crossing the border with bottles can be restricted. During our time there we ended up using a temporary bottle from Saccone & Speed with a Spanish adapter. When we needed a refill they delivered to the marina and at the end the bottle could be returned for the deposit back.

Importing parts & resetting VAT clocks

Because Gibraltar is outside the EU’s VAT system it’s a strategic stop for cruisers managing temporary importation timelines. Spending time here can reset your 18-month EU VAT clock, which is important for non-EU-flagged vessels.

If you’re importing yacht parts into Gibraltar be aware that an import tax is applied to most goods unless they’re clearly marine-specific, in which case they’re exempt. If it’s something that can be multi-use, like a water pump, Customs can still charge the tax.

Fuel and departure

There’s no formal customs clearance on departure from Gibraltar. The marina will handle any notifications, and if you need proof of departure (for VAT resets), just ask – they’re used to it.

Before leaving Gibraltar, most yachts stop at the Cepsa fuel dock to fill up with duty-free diesel. It’s often significantly cheaper than fuel in Spain or Portugal and is good quality, making it a popular last stop before sailing away.

Five bonus tips for cruisers visiting Gibraltar

Here are five extra things to know if you’re planning a stop in Gib.

1. Hungry Monkey and NomNoms offer food delivery to hotels and boats which is handy after a long day of boat work.
2. Lobster SIM cards (available in La Linea) work well in Gibraltar and are more cost-effective than local telecom providers.
3. Gibraltar uses the Gibraltar Pound (GIP), but UK pounds are accepted everywhere. Just remember that GIP can’t be used back in the UK.
4. Nightlife is low-key, but Lord Nelson’s and the bars around Ocean Village can become quite lively, especially when navy ships are in town.
5. It’s very easy to bring a dog into Gibraltar, just double check the current pet travel rules.

Final thoughts

Gibraltar is more than just a waypoint. It’s a smart, strategic stop for liveaboard cruisers, that offers a convenient mix of tax advantages, provisioning, and access to services. Whether you’re heading across the Atlantic or just arrived in the Med, a well-planned stop in Gibraltar can save you money, simplify logistics, and offer a few days of genuine enjoyment. For us, it’s one of the most unexpectedly memorable places we’ve been.

Got your own Gibraltar cruising tips or questions? Share them in the comments for the rest of the community to learn from.