Gibraltar is the gateway between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic — and one of the most strategically important bunkering stops in European superyacht routing. Whether you're heading south to Las Palmas and across to the Caribbean, or making a spring transit into the Med from the Canaries or Azores, Gibraltar is almost always in the passage plan. This guide gives captains the numbers they need: distances to key Atlantic and Med destinations, current bunkering intel, fuel costs by vessel size, Strait timing, and passage planning context for both directions of transit.
Distance table — Gibraltar to key Atlantic and Med ports
Gibraltar sits at 36°N, 5°W — right at the western end of the Mediterranean. Distances below are nautical miles by direct rhumb line routing. Atlantic passages shown assume a coastal or offshore departure through the Strait.
| Destination | Ocean / Region | Distance (nm) | Time @ 10kts | Time @ 12kts | Leg type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ceuta (Morocco) | Strait / N. Africa | 14 | 1h 24m | 1h 10m | Day hop |
| Málaga | Southern Spain | 65 | 6h 30m | 5h 25m | Half day |
| Almería | Southern Spain | 155 | 15h 30m | 12h 55m | Overnight |
| Marbella / Puerto Banús | Costa del Sol | 35 | 3h 30m | 2h 55m | Day hop |
| Palma de Mallorca | Balearics | 530 | 53h 00m | 44h 10m | Multi-day |
| Barcelona | NE Spain | 600 | 60h 00m | 50h 00m | Multi-day |
| Las Palmas (Gran Canaria) | Canary Islands | 860 | 86h 00m | 71h 40m | Multi-day |
| Tenerife (Santa Cruz) | Canary Islands | 900 | 90h 00m | 75h 00m | Multi-day |
| Lisbon | Portugal | 265 | 26h 30m | 22h 05m | Overnight |
| Porto / Leixões | Portugal | 345 | 34h 30m | 28h 45m | Multi-day |
| Azores (Ponta Delgada) | Mid-Atlantic | 1,015 | 101h 30m | 84h 35m | Ocean passage |
| Antigua (English Harbour) | Caribbean | 3,540 | 354h 00m | 295h 00m | Transatlantic |
Gibraltar bunkering — what captains need to know
Gibraltar is one of the best bunkering ports in Europe. Its position at the Strait entrance, tax-free status (Gibraltar is outside the EU customs zone), and deep-water anchorage make it a natural bunker stop for almost every Atlantic transit. Current indicative MGO is $815/MT — comparable to Rotterdam on a per-MT basis, and significantly cheaper than many Med alternatives. VLSFO 0.5% is available at approximately $661/MT.
Supply is predominantly by barge — this means you can take on fuel at anchor in the Bay of Gibraltar without needing a port berth, which is operationally very efficient. Major suppliers operating in Gibraltar include Peninsula, Bomin, and World Fuel Services. Advance notice of 24–48 hours is standard; same-day service is possible but not guaranteed.
Gibraltar's tax-free status means no VAT or local fuel duties apply — unlike mainland Spanish ports such as Marbella or Almería. The combination of competitive pricing and barge delivery makes Gibraltar the default bunker stop for Atlantic-bound vessels lifting their final full stem before Las Palmas or the Azores.
The Gibraltar Strait connects the North Sea ECA zone (Sulphur Emissions Control Area) to Mediterranean waters. From January 2025, the Mediterranean Sea became an ECA zone — meaning 0.1% sulphur limit applies throughout Med waters. MGO DMA grade meets this requirement. If transiting into Atlantic waters, confirm your fuel grade meets MARPOL Annex VI requirements for your routing with your compliance officer.
Fuel cost: Gibraltar to Las Palmas by vessel size
Gibraltar to Las Palmas (Gran Canaria) is 860nm — the standard first leg for Caribbean-bound yachts. At 12 knots this is approximately 72 hours at sea. The table below shows fuel cost at current Gibraltar MGO prices of $815/MT.
| Vessel size | Burn rate (L/hr) | Total litres | MT used | Fuel cost at $815/MT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35m motor yacht | 160 L/hr | 11,520 | 9.8 MT | $7,956 |
| 45m motor yacht | 230 L/hr | 16,560 | 14.0 MT | $11,449 |
| 55m motor yacht | 310 L/hr | 22,320 | 18.9 MT | $15,402 |
| 65m motor yacht | 420 L/hr | 30,240 | 25.6 MT | $20,874 |
| 75m motor yacht | 580 L/hr | 41,760 | 35.4 MT | $28,854 |
| 90m motor yacht | 820 L/hr | 59,040 | 50.0 MT | $40,793 |
Based on 860nm at 12 knots (71h 40m). MGO at $815/MT indicative Gibraltar barge price, mid-May 2026. Density 1,180 L per MT. Burn rates are representative figures — enter your actual vessel parameters in SeaWise for a precise calculation.
Speed vs cost: Gibraltar to Las Palmas (860nm)
The Gibraltar–Las Palmas run is long enough for speed choice to have a significant effect on both fuel bill and crew rest requirements. Below, a 55m vessel at 310 L/hr base burn:
| Speed | Passage time | Fuel used (MT) | Fuel cost | vs 12kts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 knots | 95h 33m | 25.2 MT | $20,529 | −$5,034 |
| 10 knots | 86h 00m | 22.6 MT | $18,425 | −$3,130 |
| 12 knots | 71h 40m | 18.9 MT | $15,402 | baseline |
| 14 knots | 61h 25m | 21.2 MT | $17,266 | +$1,864 |
| 16 knots | 53h 45m | 27.4 MT | $22,344 | +$6,942 |
55m motor yacht, 310 L/hr base burn at 12kts. Fuel burn scales approximately with cube of speed ratio. ✦ denotes efficient cruise band. Slower passages require additional watch-keeping rotations to manage crew fatigue.
Strait of Gibraltar — timing and passage notes
The Strait of Gibraltar is a Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) — vessels must use the correct lane. Westbound traffic uses the southern lane (Moroccan coast side); eastbound traffic uses the northern lane (Spanish coast side). The minimum separation zone between lanes is approximately 3nm wide at the narrowest point near Punta Marroquí. Vessels under sail or with restricted manoeuvrability must keep clear of the lanes where possible.
Current through the Strait can exceed 3 knots — either favouring or opposing your transit depending on direction and tidal cycle. A favourable current adds approximately 25–30nm of effective range on an 860nm passage to Las Palmas; an adverse current costs the same. Time your departure for maximum tidal advantage if possible, particularly for vessels with lower power reserves.
Eastbound vessels (Atlantic to Med) typically see Atlantic swells reducing within 20–30nm of entering the Strait. Westbound vessels encounter building ocean swell shortly after clearing Europa Point. Allow for sea state transition in your voyage planning — swell conditions at Gibraltar can be benign on one side of the Strait and 2.5–3m on the other, within a matter of hours.
Worked example — Gibraltar to Las Palmas
Fuel cost — 52m motor yacht, Gibraltar → Las Palmas
If your itinerary brings you south from Rotterdam or Northern Europe before the Atlantic run, lifting a full stem in Rotterdam at current prices ($768/MT) rather than topping up at Gibraltar saves approximately $884 on this leg for a 52m vessel. SeaWise shows this comparison in real time against current market prices, so you always make the lift decision on current data, not last week's numbers.
Gibraltar vs Las Palmas for a final Atlantic bunker
Many Atlantic-bound captains debate whether to take on full fuel at Gibraltar, or proceed to Las Palmas (860nm south) and bunker there before the transatlantic crossing. The decision depends on current prices, vessel tank range, and whether a Las Palmas port call is already in the itinerary.
- Current Gibraltar MGO: $815/MT — tax-free, barge delivery, no port berth required
- Current Las Palmas MGO: $831/MT — ex-wharf, full port facilities, $16/MT more expensive
- Price difference on a 20 MT stem: $320 — in favour of Gibraltar
For vessels with sufficient tank range to carry a full stem from Gibraltar to the Caribbean (typically 60–80+ MT vessels), Gibraltar is the optimal lift point. Smaller vessels that need to top up in Las Palmas anyway should factor this into their pre-passage planning and ensure they know the current Las Palmas price before departing Gibraltar with a partial load.
FAQ — Gibraltar passages and passage planning
Is Gibraltar a good bunkering port for superyachts?
Gibraltar is considered one of the best bunkering ports in European waters for superyachts. Key advantages: tax-free status (no VAT or fuel duty), competitive MGO pricing (currently $815/MT — among the cheapest in the Atlantic-Med corridor), barge delivery at anchor (no berth required), and a convenient geographical position for Atlantic transits and Med entry/exit. Multiple reputable suppliers operate in the Bay of Gibraltar. For a vessel lifting 20–100 MT, Gibraltar is almost always the most cost-effective option for a pre-Atlantic full stem.
How far is Gibraltar from Las Palmas?
Gibraltar to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is approximately 860 nautical miles — a passage of about 72 hours at 12 knots, or roughly three days depending on your speed and weather conditions. The route heads south-southwest from the Strait along the coast of Morocco, passing Casablanca and Agadir before heading offshore to the Canaries. It is an open-ocean passage for the southern portion. Most vessels carry sufficient range for this leg without intermediate stops, but an optional fuel call at Casablanca or Agadir is possible if tank range is tight.
What are the current MGO prices at Gibraltar?
As of mid-May 2026, Gibraltar MGO is approximately $815/MT — flat relative to the prior week. Gibraltar has historically maintained a $30–60/MT premium over Rotterdam (the cheapest Northern European port) and a similar discount relative to Fujairah. For the current week, Gibraltar is $47/MT more expensive than Rotterdam and $78/MT cheaper than Fujairah. Prices are subject to daily movement — verify with your fuel broker or through SeaWise before confirming a bunker order.
What is the best time to transit the Strait of Gibraltar?
Westbound (Med to Atlantic): aim to arrive at the Strait in time to catch the ebbing Atlantic tide pushing westbound current through the narrows — this can add 1.5–3 knots to your speed over ground. Typically, this means a transit timed for the local morning ebb. Avoid the Levanter (easterly wind) — when blowing hard (force 5+), it creates a confused sea state in the Strait and Alboran Sea and can make passage unpleasant for smaller vessels. Check NOAA or UK Met Office for Strait forecasts 48 hours ahead of transit. Eastbound vessels should plan for a westbound surface current of 0.5–1.5 knots and use engine power accordingly.
How much fuel does a superyacht use from Gibraltar to Antigua?
Gibraltar to Antigua (English Harbour) is approximately 3,540 nautical miles — a passage of 12–15 days depending on speed and routing. Fuel consumption varies significantly by vessel. A 55m motor yacht at 310 L/hr running at 12 knots for this passage would use approximately 77 MT of MGO — a fuel cost of around $62,755 at Gibraltar prices. Most yachts stop in Las Palmas or Tenerife (860–900nm from Gibraltar) to top up before the transatlantic leg. SeaWise calculates exact consumption for your vessel's actual fuel curve at any speed — essential for transatlantic passage budget planning where fuel cost can be the single largest operational expense of the season.
Plan your Atlantic transit via Gibraltar
SeaWise calculates exact distances, passage times and fuel costs for Atlantic crossings and ARC departures from Gibraltar. Download on iOS and build your passage budget before you cast off.