Travelling to Morocco for the eclipse

Where to stay

Tangier and the Atlantic coast

Tangier has 4 min 52 s of totality, from 08:44 to 08:49. Down the Atlantic coast, Asilah has 4 min 46 s and Larache has 4 min 20 s.

On this coast, low cloud from the sea can last all morning. In Tangier it tends to stay to the west, towards Cape Spartel: the centre, the east of the city and the beaches on the bay have better odds (Jay Anderson, Eclipsophile).

Tétouan and the Mediterranean coast

Morocco’s longest totality is here: Martil has 4 min 54 s, M'diq has 4 min 54 s and Tétouan has 4 min 52 s. Fnideq has 4 min 52 s, next to Ceuta.

This coast traps the cloud that the levanter pushes against the Rif. Eclipsophile advises avoiding the shore between Tétouan and El Jebha and looking to the east side of Tétouan, or a little inland.

The Rif

Chefchaouen has 4 min 15 s: it is the least cloudy place in Morocco in Eclipsophile’s sample, although it lies far from the axis of the path. Al Hoceima has 4 min 28 s, on the Rif coast; low cloud is frequent there too, but it burns off sooner.

Nador and the Oriental

Nador has 4 min 17 s and Saïdia has 4 min 3 s, on the beach near Algeria. Inland, totality gets shorter: Berkane has 3 min 19 s and Oujda has 1 min 9 s, almost at the edge of the path.

From Spain, by ferry

The port of Tarifa is the main departure point for Tangier. Ferries from Algeciras arrive at Tanger Med, 45 km from Tangier and 20 km from Ceuta. From Ceuta, Tétouan is about 30 km away.

If you cross that morning, mind the clock: totality in Tangier begins at 08:44 Moroccan time, two hours later in Spain.

Time

Morocco no longer changes its clocks: it stays on GMT all year (decree 2.26.530). On 2 August 2027 it is one hour behind the UK and two hours behind Spain.

Before you travel

Check your government’s official travel advice for Morocco before booking.

• FCDO (UK)