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Al Hoceima to Motril Ferry: Summer Route and How to Get Back to Spain
With Balearia
The ferry from Al Hoceima to Motril connects the port of Al Hoceima, in the Rif, with the port of Motril, on the coast of Granada. It is a summer route, with few departures a week, and at the moment we do not have it on sale with dates.
The line has been operated by Naviera Armas (now operated by Baleà ria). Baleà ria has bought almost all of Armas's routes, and they are sold at the same time under the Armas brand with redirection to Baleà ria. Whether there will be departures next season is unconfirmed: you will see it in the search when there are dates.
To return to Spain you need a valid passport. With a Moroccan passport or one from another non-EU country, also carry your valid residence card: the ferry company checks that you can enter Europe.
If there is no departure from Al Hoceima on your date, you have Tanger Med–Motril, Nador–AlmerÃa or Nador–Motril, with more dates.
Al Hoceima to Motril ferry timetable
In the search you see the departures for the date you choose. This route does not run all year: it has run only in summer, with few departures a week, and your date may have none. If the search shows no ferry, see the alternatives below.
Departure is in Moroccan time and arrival in Spanish time. In summer time, Spain is usually one hour ahead of Morocco; confirm it before travelling, because Morocco changes its clocks during Ramadan. To go in the opposite direction, from Motril to Al Hoceima, see the page for the Motril Al Hoceima ferry.
There are no departures scheduled on this route in the coming days. You can travel on these routes:
Indicative schedules and subject to variation by the ferry company for operational reasons without prior notice.
How long does the ferry from Al Hoceima to Motril take?
It is a crossing of several hours, longer than crossing the Strait. If the route has a departure on your date, the timetable tells you the duration and the ship for each one. On top of that, add boarding and the police and customs checks at the Moroccan port, which can take longer in summer.
Who runs the Al Hoceima to Motril ferry
This line has been announced in summer under the Naviera Armas brand (now operated by Baleà ria), which in the Strait and the Alboran Sea has passed into Baleà ria's hands. Baleà ria has bought almost all of Armas's routes and they are sold at the same time under that brand, with redirection to Baleà ria; what we cannot confirm is whether this seasonal line will have departures next season.
In the meantime, Baleà ria sails to Motril from Tanger Med, and also operates AlmerÃa–Nador. If you have an old Armas ticket, it is still valid; to change it, you may need to make a new booking in Baleà ria's system.
Al Hoceima to Motril ferry price
If the route has departures on your date, the price you see above is the lowest recent one for an adult without a vehicle. Prices on a seasonal route rise with summer demand, especially during Operation Strait Crossing (Operación Paso del Estrecho), from mid-June to mid-September. They change with the vehicle, which is paid separately, the accommodation and the age of each traveller. Compare the total with Tanger Med–Motril or Nador–AlmerÃa before deciding.
Children, infants and discounts
Children and infants have their own fares: enter the age of each traveller when you search and the price is calculated automatically. It is an international route, so the resident and large family discounts of domestic routes do not apply. Minors need their own passport.
Al Hoceima to Motril ferry with a car
If there is a departure on your date, the route accepts vehicles: enter the type, make and model when you book. To return to Spain, the car that entered Morocco must be the same one that leaves, because it is recorded at Moroccan customs on the temporary import form. Keep that paper and have it to hand when you leave.
Temporary import allows up to six months a year, three consecutive at most. If the car is not yours, you need a transfer document validated by the Embassy or consulate of Morocco in Spain. If your car has Moroccan or other foreign plates, check the customs rules of each country: we have no verified data for those cases.
Travelling to Spain with a dog from Morocco
To return to Spain with your dog you need a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and a passport or health certificate, and a rabies antibody test may be required. If something is missing, the health authorities may refuse entry and propose quarantine, return to the origin or euthanasia. The port of Motril applies strict measures to animals coming from Morocco. Prepare it in good time, because the test needs a three-month margin. More in travelling by ferry with a dog.
Ports of Al Hoceima and Motril
Port of Motril
Boarding in Al Hoceima
Al Hoceima is a coastal city in the Rif, in northern Morocco. We do not yet have verified data on its terminal, access to the port or check-in time: confirm the terminal and the deadline on your ticket. During Operation Strait Crossing (Operación Paso del Estrecho), Baleà ria asks you to arrive about 5 hours early at the Moroccan ports of Nador and Tanger Med; for Al Hoceima, ask before you go.
Carry a fixed-date ticket with the exact date: during Operation Strait Crossing you are not allowed into the port without a ticket valid for that day and time.
Arrival in Motril
Motril is on the coast of Granada. On disembarking you go through Spanish police and customs controls. Motril has strict health measures for pets coming from Morocco: if you travel with an animal, check the requirements first. With a car, you continue by road; without one, plan your transport from the port before boarding.
Documents for travelling from Al Hoceima to Motril
It is an international route: all travellers need a valid passport, minors too.
With a Spanish or other EU passport
Valid passport, preferably with more than six months' validity. The DNI is not valid for entering or leaving Morocco.
With a Moroccan passport or dual nationality
Carry your valid Moroccan passport and, if you hold dual nationality, your other passport too. If you are unsure which one to use to leave Morocco and enter Spain, ask at your consulate before travelling.
Residents of Spain with a Moroccan, Algerian or other non-EU passport
- Carry your valid passport and your valid residence card or European stay permit. That is what is checked to let you return.
- Before boarding, Baleà ria checks, through the European eu-LISA platform, that you have a valid permit to enter the Schengen area (visa or ETIAS authorisation, as the case may be), and may refuse boarding. Non-EU citizens entering Schengen are registered with a photo and fingerprints.
- If your card has expired or is being renewed, check first with the ferry company and with the immigration office: it is the most frequent cause of problems on the way back.
Minors
Minors need their own passport. If they travel alone, with only one parent or with another adult, they may be asked for a travel authorisation, the family record book, a birth certificate or a document proving parentage or custody. A minor's departure from Morocco is a matter for the Moroccan authorities: find out first at the consulate.
I Love Ferry tips for returning from Al Hoceima to Motril
- Check first whether your date has a departure. It is a summer route with few departures: have a plan B with Tanger Med–Motril or Nador–AlmerÃa.
- Check your residence card before leaving Spain, not on the way back. If it has expired or is being renewed, check with the ferry company.
- Fixed-date ticket with the exact date. During Operation Strait Crossing you are not allowed into the port without a ticket valid for that day.
- Arrive with plenty of margin. During the operation, ferry companies ask for several hours' notice at the Moroccan ports.
- If you need help in Arabic or French, Baleà ria's telephone customer service speaks those languages as well as Spanish.
Book your Al Hoceima to Motril trip with I Love Ferry
- You see at a glance whether there is a departure on your date and, if not, the alternative routes from Morocco.
- You enter vehicle, pet and the age of each passenger before paying.
- You pay the ferry company's price and receive its booking reference.
- If anything changes, a person from the I Love Ferry team in Jávea looks after you.
Other ways to return from Morocco to Spain by ferry
- Tanger Med Motril ferry: with Baleà ria, and with more dates than from Al Hoceima.
- Nador AlmerÃa ferry: with Baleà ria and GNV, from north-eastern Morocco.
- Nador Motril ferry: summer only, operator unconfirmed.
- Tanger Med Algeciras ferry: the route with the most departures across the Strait.
- Nador Barcelona ferry: a long crossing to Catalonia.
- Motril Al Hoceima ferry: the opposite direction.
Frequently asked questions about the Al Hoceima Motril ferry
Any questions about your ferry?
Here are the questions travellers ask us most. If yours is not here, our team of real people helps you before, during and after your trip.
See all the frequently asked questions >>Is there a ferry from Al Hoceima to Motril all year round?
No. It is a summer route, with few departures a week. At the moment we do not have it on sale with dates; if the search shows no ferry, use the alternatives from Tanger Med or Nador.
Which ferry company runs the Al Hoceima Motril ferry?
The line has been operated by Naviera Armas (now operated by Baleà ria). It belongs to Baleà ria (which bought almost all of Armas's routes; it is sold at the same time under the Armas brand and redirects to Baleà ria). Whether there will be departures next season is unconfirmed; you will see it in the search when there are dates.
What document do I need to return to Spain?
A valid passport. With a non-EU passport, also your valid residence card or European stay permit; the ferry company checks that you can enter the Schengen area.
I have a Moroccan passport and live in Spain: what do I bring?
Your valid Moroccan passport and your valid residence card. If the card has expired or is being renewed, check with the ferry company first. Baleà ria verifies the permit to enter Schengen before boarding.
I have dual nationality: which passport do I travel with?
Carry both and ask at your consulate which one to use to leave Morocco and enter Spain. With a Spanish passport, Morocco requires a passport; the DNI is not valid.
Can I take my car from Al Hoceima to Motril?
If there is a departure on your date, yes. The car that leaves must be the one that entered Morocco, because it is recorded on the temporary import form. If the car is not yours, you need the validated transfer document.
What alternative route do I have if there is no departure from Al Hoceima?
Tanger Med–Motril with Baleà ria, Nador–AlmerÃa with Baleà ria or GNV, Nador–Motril in summer or Tanger Med–Algeciras. These routes have more dates, although they leave from other Moroccan ports.
Can I travel with a dog from Morocco to Spain?
Yes, with a microchip, valid rabies vaccination and a passport or health certificate, and an antibody test with a three-month margin may be required. Motril applies strict measures to animals coming from Morocco.
What is Operation Strait Crossing?
It is the summer operation for the movement of travellers between Spain and Morocco, from mid-June to mid-September. There is more traffic, a fixed-date ticket is compulsory and you must arrive earlier at the ports.
Why does the arrival time look different?
Because departure is in Moroccan time and arrival in Spanish time. In summer time, Spain is usually one hour ahead. Confirm it before travelling.
Ferry deals to Motril
Right now there are no offers on this route. When a ferry company launches one, you will see it here. View all offers >>
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