Almería to Nador Ferry

The Almería to Nador ferry is one of the busiest gateways between mainland Spain and north-eastern Morocco, linking the Andalusian port of Almería with Nador's port of Beni Enzar on the Mediterranean coast. It is a full international crossing, so every traveller passes through passport and immigration control before boarding, and non-EU nationals must carry a valid passport (EU citizens can use a national ID card).

Operators and crossing time

The route is served by Baleària and, from 2026, by Africa Morocco Link (AML), which returned to the line as a Moroccan-flagged carrier after nearly a decade. AML deploys the Stena Europe, its largest ship, carrying around 1,500 passengers and close to 400 vehicles per sailing. The crossing typically takes between 6 and 7 hours, with the fastest departures near 5 hours 30 minutes and some conventional sailings running longer.

Frequency and seasons

Together the operators provide roughly 17 weekly sailings in peak periods, though frequency drops outside summer. The line reaches its climax during Operation Marhaba (Paso del Estrecho), the annual summer movement of the Moroccan diaspora returning home, which runs from early June to mid-September. In 2026 the Almería–Nador corridor recorded the strongest growth of any Spain–Morocco route, with passenger traffic up around 25% and vehicle traffic up 14%, making it one of the country's most important seasonal crossings.

Vehicles and onboard

Ships take cars, motorhomes, caravans, vans and motorbikes, which is why the route is so popular with diaspora families driving home for the holidays. Cabins, reclining seats and onboard catering are available on the longer daytime and overnight departures.

Because summer demand is extreme, booking well ahead and arriving several hours before departure with a vehicle is strongly advised. Always reconfirm times directly with the operator, as sailings shift by season.