Photo: Visions of Domino / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Partial solar eclipse · 12 August 2026

Where to watch the 2026 solar eclipse in Rabat

Rabat sees a partial eclipse on 12 August 2026 — about 88.2% of the Sun covered at around 19:42 WEST, with the Sun only ~6° above the horizon.

Partial eclipse Get certified eclipse glasses

Maximum~19:42 WESTRabat-Salé-Kénitra · Morocco · 12 Aug 2026

Duration~1h 47m of partial eclipseThis is the full partial eclipse from first to last contact. There is no totality here — the Sun is never completely covered, so there is no corona and no moment when it is safe to look without protection.

Sun altitude~6° above the WNW horizonlow in the west — an open horizon is essential

Coverage88.2% (partial)Rabat is OUTSIDE the path of totality. About 88.2% of the Sun is covered at maximum — a substantial partial eclipse, but not a total one. The corona never appears and the sky does not go dark.

Clear-sky odds Reliably clear · ≈80%North Africa in mid-August is hot, dry and almost always cloud-free — among the best odds anywhere for this eclipse.

Counting down to maximum

—days —hrs —min —sec

Rabat sees a partial eclipse on 12 August 2026 — about 88.2% of the Sun covered at around 19:42 WEST, with the Sun only ~6° above the horizon.

Below: Rabat's exact timings, the best open viewpoints, why your eclipse glasses never come off here, and where the real totality is.

The timeline

When the eclipse happens

~18:47 WESTPartial begins — first "bite" out of the Sun

~19:42 WESTPartial — ~1h 47m of partial eclipse. Glasses off only if total.

~20:17 WESTEclipse ends ~20:34 WEST

The eclipse runs from about 18:47 to 20:34 WEST, with maximum at around 19:42 and the Sun ~6° above the west-northwest horizon. The Sun sets at 20:17 WEST, during the eclipse, so the later stages happen below the horizon — an open west-northwest view is essential.

Where to set up

The best places to watch

Kasbah des Oudayas

Elevated · clifftop kasbah

Open Atlantic horizon

The blue-and-white kasbah sits on a cliff above the river mouth with an open ocean view west — the best setting in the capital.

Rabat corniche

Coast · promenade

Open sea, easy access

The seafront gives a clean low sightline over the Atlantic.

Chellah necropolis

Historic · elevated

Roman and Merinid ruins

The walled necropolis gives height and open sky with an extraordinary foreground.

Salé beach across the river

Beach · open

Room and an open horizon

The northern beach gives space and an unobstructed western view.

North for deeper coverage

More of the Sun covered

Tangier and Nador

Coverage deepens northward along the Moroccan coast.

Local astronomy societies and science centres often organise safe public viewing with filtered telescopes — worth checking closer to the date.

Plan your trip

Where to stay near the eclipse

Accommodation around the viewing area for eclipse night (11–13 Aug 2026). Compare hotels and rentals live on the map below.

The weather call

Will the sky be clear?

North Africa in mid-August is hot, dry and almost always cloud-free — among the best odds anywhere for this eclipse.

The deciding factor here is simply whether the sky is clear at the right moment. Check the forecast in the final 48 hours and, if you can, keep the option of moving to a gap in the cloud.

Plan the day

Your eclipse-day checklist

Certified ISO 12312-2 / CE eclipse glasses — one pair per person
Glasses stay ON for the entire eclipse — there is no safe moment here
An open west-northwest horizon — the Sun is only ~6° up
Arrive before 18:47 to catch first contact

Check the cloud forecast in the final 48 hours
Never look through a camera, phone or binoculars without a proper solar filter
Pinhole projection is a safe way for groups to watch together
If you want totality, it is northern Spain — not here

Watch it safely

However you’re watching, watch it safely

Every Absolute Eclipse product is independently certified and made in the EU. There’s no safe moment to look unaided here — keep certified eyewear on the entire time.

ISO 12312-2 certified
CE · EU 2016/425 PPE
Made & shipped in the EU

Rabat eclipse FAQ

Will Rabat see a total solar eclipse on 12 August 2026?

No. Rabat is outside the path of totality and sees a partial eclipse, with about 88.2% of the Sun covered at maximum. It is a striking sight through eclipse glasses, but the corona does not appear and the sky does not go dark. The path of totality crosses northern Spain.

What time is the eclipse in Rabat?

The partial phase begins at about 18:47 WEST and maximum — 88.2% coverage — comes at roughly 19:42 WEST. The Sun sets at 20:17 WEST, during the eclipse, so the later stages happen below the horizon — an open west-northwest view is essential.

Do I need eclipse glasses in Rabat?

Yes, for the entire eclipse without exception. Because the Sun is never fully covered, there is never a safe moment to look with the naked eye. Even at 88.2% coverage the remaining sliver is dangerously bright. Certified ISO 12312-2 / CE glasses stay on from start to finish.

Where should I watch from in Rabat?

The Sun is only about 6° above the horizon, so you need an open, unobstructed view to the west-northwest. Buildings, hills and trees in that direction will hide the deepest phase.

Will the weather be clear in Rabat on eclipse day?

North Africa in mid-August is hot, dry and almost always cloud-free — among the best odds anywhere for this eclipse.

Keep exploring the path

Nearby regions to watch from

● Partial

Surse: timeanddate.com · nationaleclipse.com · eclipsophile.com (vreme) · Gobierno de Aragón · BBC Sky at Night. Orele sunt locale (CEST).