Baleària's day trip to Tangier

About this experience

Baleària took over the Tarifa to Tangier Ville route in May 2025, after FRS stopped sailing it, and this listing is the ferry company selling its own day trip. You meet inside the port in front of the Baleària ticket office, up to 60 minutes before the boat. Boarding closes 25 minutes before departure, which is stricter than many people expect. There are two starts, 09:00 or 11:00 from Tarifa, and returns at 17:00 or 19:00.

Those return times are printed in Moroccan time, and since 20 September 2026 that is an hour behind Spain. A 09:00 boat lands about 09:00 Tangier time. If your return is 17:00 in Tangier, that is 18:00 in Tarifa, and with an hour at sea you are back on the Spanish quay around 19:00. Take the 19:00 return and it is closer to 21:00. Set your phone to update automatically and you won't miss the bus back to the port. The details are in our time change post.

The day itself is a fast loop: a 35-minute coach ride, 20 minutes at the Caves of Hercules, 20 minutes at Cap Spartel, an optional camel ride for an extra fee, two short viewpoints, an hour of lunch, then a 30-minute guided walk through the old medina and an hour of free time in the main market. That medina walk is short, and it is the honest weak spot of this listing. Drinks at lunch and museum entries are extra. Travel insurance is included, which the other group trips don't list. The trip is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.

• Run by Baleària, the company that sails the boat
• Two start times: 09:00 or 11:00 from Tarifa
• Guide in Spanish, English, French or German
• Caves of Hercules and Cap Spartel by air-conditioned coach
• Traditional lunch and an hour of free time in the souk
• Travel insurance included

How the day runs

1. 60 min beforeCheck in at the Baleària office

   Meet inside Tarifa port, in front of the Baleària ticket office. Boarding closes 25 minutes before the boat leaves.

2. About 1 hFast ferry to Tangier Ville

   Get your passport stamped by the Moroccan officer on board. You land at about the same clock time you left, because Tangier is an hour behind.

3. About 1 h 30Caves, cape and viewpoints

   Coach for about 35 minutes, 20 minutes at the Caves of Hercules, 20 at Cap Spartel, then short stops at the California and Iberia viewpoints. A camel ride of about 30 minutes costs extra.

4. 1 hLunch

   A traditional lunch at a local restaurant. Drinks are paid separately.

5. About 1 h 30Medina walk and the market

   A 30-minute guided walk through the old medina, then an hour of free time to shop in the main market.

6. 17:00 or 19:00Ferry back

   Times are Moroccan time. Add an hour for the Spanish clock, plus about an hour at sea.

What's included

Who it suits

What guests say

Tips before you book

• Be at the ticket office early. Boarding closes 25 minutes before departure and the boat won't wait.
• Return times are in Moroccan time. Write the Spanish equivalent on your ticket so nobody in the group gets confused.
• Only EU citizens can travel on a national ID card. Everyone else needs a passport, and should check visa rules.
• Euros are often accepted in Tangier, the listing says, but small dirham notes make the souk easier.
• Want more medina? Skip the camel ride and spend that half hour with the guide.

Read next:

• The ferry
• The tours compared

Frequently asked questions

Compare with

Tangier Day Trip with Lunch and FerryThe most-booked trip: fast ferry, Cap Spartel and the caves, lunch with drinks, then two hours in the medina and market.★ 4.3 · 9 hours · from $100Tangier Full-Day Trip with LunchFerry, guide, lunch, drinks and entrance fees in one price, with 90 minutes of guided medina. Runs with 4 people or more.★ 3.8 · 9 hours · from $129Private Day Tour, Met at Tangier PortA private guide waits off the ferry with an "Omar tour" sign. Caves, Cap Spartel, a camel ride, lunch and the ferry.★ 5.0 · 8 hours · from $267