Ferry to Morocco
Sète - Nador
The longest Morocco ferry from France - a relaxed crossing to the Rif coast with cabin, car and halal catering
- Around 40 hours direct, around 42-45 hours with a stop in Barcelona - two nights on board
- About one departure a week with GNV year-round, more frequent from June to September
- Check-in Sète: vehicle and foot passengers 4 hrs before departure, desk closes 60 minutes before
Route guide
Sète - Nador ferry at a glance
Table of Contents
Everything about the Sète - Nador route with GNV: getting to the Gare Maritime Orsetti, check-in times and travel documents, the two nights on board, vehicle and pet rules, and arrival at the port of Beni Ensar near Nador.
Getting to Sète and the terminal
The ferry departs from the Gare Maritime Orsetti; as a sat-nav destination, enter 2-124 Avenue du Maréchal Juin, 34200 Sète. By car you reach the port via the A9 motorway between Montpellier and Perpignan, with ample short- and long-stay parking right next to the GNV quay. If you're travelling without a car, city buses connect Sète's centre and railway station with the port, and a shuttle runs from Montpellier-Méditerranée Airport.
Check-in and travel documents
On the international routes from Sète, GNV asks travellers, whether with a vehicle or on foot, to be at the terminal four hours before departure; check-in closes 60 minutes before sailing, and the desks are staffed Monday to Saturday from 09:00 to 18:00. Passport and vehicle checks follow before boarding. You need a valid passport for Morocco - an ID card is not enough, even for EU citizens; most travellers can enter visa-free for stays of up to 90 days. Drivers should have their driving licence and vehicle registration document ready, and LPG-powered vehicles must be declared to staff at boarding.
On board
The Excellent-class ferries - Excellent, Excelsior, Fantastic and Majestic - along with the GNV Cristal, are deployed on this route. With two nights at sea, a cabin is worth booking: GNV offers inside and outside cabins and suites, along with cheaper reclining seats and deck passage. Catering runs through an à la carte restaurant, a self-service restaurant, a pizzeria and bars, with halal dishes and children's menus; on board there's also a prayer room, children's areas with activities, shops and Sea-Fi Wi-Fi. Payment is in euros - you'll only need dirhams once in Morocco.
Vehicle, bicycle and pets
Cars, motorbikes and motorhomes travel on the garage deck; the larger the vehicle, the higher the fare, so declare the dimensions accurately when booking. Your boarding card shows your vehicle's parking spot, and the deck stays closed during the crossing. What's needed for temporary import into Morocco is covered in our motorhome guide. Pets travel in daily-disinfected pet cabins or the ship's animal areas, with their own exercise zones on deck; leads and muzzles are required in communal areas. A pet passport and vaccinations are compulsory - entry rules are summarised in our dogs & pets guide.
Arrival in Nador and onward travel
The ferry docks at the port of Beni Ensar (Route de Port, Beni-Enzar), around 13 kilometres from central Nador and linked to the road network via the N15 national road. After passport and customs checks, taxis and bus lines take you into town and to the airport; with a vehicle, you're straight on your way into the Rif or along the coast. Beni Ensar sits at the border crossing with the Spanish enclave of Melilla. For the return crossing, GNV's check-in in Nador opens nine hours before departure and closes four hours before.
Tickets and fares
GNV sells refundable and cheaper, non-refundable fares. Rebooking dates, accommodation or passenger numbers is possible against the price difference; outbound and return legs booked together can only be changed together. The cancellation fee rises in stages as departure approaches, and from six days before there's no refund at all. Booking early and outside the summer holidays gets you the best price; the booking window shows fares for your date, and the fare overview gives a general idea.
Sète - Nador
Straight from southern France to the Rif coast
The Sète - Nador route takes you from the Gare Maritime Orsetti in southern France straight to eastern Morocco, with no detour via the Strait of Gibraltar. GNV (Grandi Navi Veloci) sails the route year-round, about once a week, with more sailings from June to September. Direct departures take around 40 hours, while sailings with a stop in Barcelona take around 42 to 45 hours.
You'll spend two nights on board, so a cabin is worth booking. The ferry docks at the port of Beni Ensar, around 13 kilometres from Nador and right on the border with Melilla - a good starting point for the Rif, the Mediterranean coast and onward travel towards Fès.
- Crossing
- around 40-45 hrs
- Operator
- GNV
- Frequency
- about 1x a week
- From
- €81
Next departures
FAQ Sète - Nador
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions and answers about the Sète - Nador ferry link
How long does the crossing from Sète to Nador take?+
The direct crossing takes around 39.75 hours according to GNV, while sailings with a stop in Barcelona take around 41.5 hours; the return leg ranges from 38 to just under 43 hours. Timetable data typically shows around 44 to 45 hours on average. Whichever sailing you choose, it's two nights on board.
How often does the ferry from Sète to Nador run?+
GNV runs the route year-round, usually about once a week. Between June and September, the operator increases frequency for the summer season. Exact sailing days for your travel date are shown in the timetable.
What does the ferry from Sète to Nador cost?+
The price depends on season, cabin category and vehicle, and rises noticeably in the summer months and with late booking. As a foot passenger with a reclining seat you'll pay the least, while a car and outside cabin cost the most. The booking window shows the starting price for your date, and the fare overview gives a general idea.
Do I need a cabin for the crossing?+
Not strictly, but it's well worth it: with two nights at sea, an inside or outside cabin is the most comfortable option. Reclining seats or unreserved deck passage are cheaper. All accommodation options are chosen at booking.
Can I bring my vehicle?+
Yes, cars, motorbikes and motorhomes travel on the garage deck; declare the dimensions when booking. At check-in you'll need your driving licence and vehicle registration document in original form. What applies for temporary import into Morocco is explained in our guide, Travelling to Morocco by motorhome.
What documents do I need for Morocco?+
You need a valid passport - an ID card is not enough for Morocco. Most travellers can enter visa-free for tourist stays of up to 90 days; your passport should be valid for at least six months from your date of entry.
Can I bring my pet?+
Yes. GNV offers pet-friendly cabins and exercise areas on deck; without a pet cabin, your animal travels in the ship's dog and cat areas. Bring a pet passport, vaccination records, a lead and a muzzle. Morocco's entry rules are summarised in our guide, Travelling to Morocco with a dog.