MALABO
MalaboMalabo (Santa Isabelle) (3°45'N., 8°47'E.) is situated on a plateau, 4.5 miles SE of Punta Europa. It is not only the capital of the island, but is also the capital of Equatorial Guinea.
Tides—Currents.—The tides rise about 1.8m at springs and 1.4m at neaps.
Depths—Limitations.—The entrance fairway has depths of 18 to 22m over a width of about 90m.
The old part of the harbor, at the SE side of the bay, has a quay, 274m long, with depths of 8 to 9m alongside and a pier, 27m wide. Vessels usually moor and berth stern-to at this quay.
The new part of the harbor, at the SW side of the bay, has a bulk quay, 305m long, with a depth of 15m alongside.
Vessels of up to 23,000 grt, 176m in length, and 13.7m draft have been handled alongside in the port.
Aspect.—The town is fronted by Bahia de Malabo (Bahia de Santa Isabel) and stands at the top of some cliffs. Several prominent buildings in the town may be identified from seaward. The water tower is conspicuous when approaching from E and the cathedral is conspicuous when approaching from W.
Bahia de MalaboPunta de la Unidad Africana, marked by a light, is the N extremity of a narrow peninsula which extends 0.4 mile NNW from the coast and forms the E side of Bahia de Malabo. A prominent monument, formed by a cross, stands close SE of the point; an obelisk is situated 0.2 mile SE of it.
Punta Cristina, located 0.5 mile SW of Punta de la Unidad Africana, is the N extremity of a bluff peninsula which terminates in vertical cliffs.
Islotes de Enrique consists of several rocks, 12 to 14m high, and lies at the W side of the Bahia de Malabo, close NW of Punta Cristina.
Bahia de Venus lies between Punta Cristina and Punta Pilon, 0.3 mile WSW. The shores of this bay are high, steep, and rocky. A group of large fuel tanks stands 0.5 mile S of Punta Pilon.
Shoal water, which may best seen on the chart, extends W from Punta de la Unidad Africana and NE from Isoltes de Enrique.
The entrance fairway leading into the harbor is indicated by a lighted range.
Pilotage.—Pilotage is compulsory for vessels over 50 grt. Pilots can be contacted by VHF and generally board about 0.5 mile NW of Punta de la Unidad Africana. It is reported that pilots only berth vessels during daylight; vessels may leave at any time and are not required to use the services of a pilot. Vessels should send an ETA via Douala (TJC).
Anchorage.—The recommended outer anchorage lies in a depth of 29m, mud, about 0.5 mile NW of Punta Pilon. The farther offshore the better anchorage because it is cooler and the vessel will be free from mosquitoes.
Caution.—It is reported that the range structures are difficult to distinguish by day against the background and the front one is frequently obscured by vessels berthed at the pier.
It is reported (2007) that extensive development is being carried out at Malabo, including the dredging of a new entrance channel which is marked by lighted buoys.