South East Asia to South Africa

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Revision as of 19:40, 12 May 2016

Ocean Passage - South East Asia to Cape Town (Cape of Good Hope)

South East Asia to Cape Town

Background

The Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) cruising route is a wonderful alternative to transitting the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea, particularly during these troubled times (2008). Rather see the Maldives, glorious Chagos, beautifull Seychelles, Mayotte, Madagascar, the atolls in the Mozambique Channel and to crown it all, throw in some shore excursions to the renowned Safari Parks in South Africa. Stock up the boat with the fantastic South African wines in Cape Town (the "fairest Cape of all") before onward passage across the Atlantic Ocean.

Departure Points

Possible departures from:

• Phuket
• Langkawi

Route

The traditional route from South East Asia to the Cape of Good Hope (Cape Town) roughly follows the route below (but not necessarily). The cruising passage will normally take about 12 months - leaving South East Asia in December/January and timed to be in Cape Town around December/January. Extended stop-overs en-route should be planned to allow you to arrive in north coast South Africa before the cyclone season begins (mid November) in the Mozambique Channel and Madagascar. (Expand on this)

• Phuket or Langkawi
• Maldives
  • Passage south through the Maldives
• Chagos
• Seychelles
• Mayotte or possibly East Africa
• Madagascar or possibly directly down the Mozambique Channel
• Richards Bay or Durban
  • Passage south along the South African coast
• Cape Town (Cape of Good Hope)

Also see Indian Ocean (Passages) and Mozambique Channel (Passages)

Passage Description

Yachts leaving Thailand often congregate in Nai Hahn Bay on the Southern Tip of Phuket Island (7° 46'29.37" N, 98°18'10.17" E), then take off from there to the Maldives.

The 1st waypoint is Uligamu (7° 4' 26" N, 72° 55' 8" E) in the Northern Maldives where fuel can be purchased and siphoned into your tanks or jerry cans. Alternatively, set a waypoint to Male (04° 11' 24.3" N, 73° 30' 41.8" E) the capital in the Central Maldives where repairs can be effected and fuel can also be purchased.

(Expand on this)

Gallery

Uligamu

Male, Maldives

Charts

List the charts required for this passage.

Weather Windows

This passage from South East Asia to the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) and beyond is usually undertaken from mid December to end February to use the North East monsoon winds across the Northern Indian Ocean.

Climate & Weather Information

See Indian Ocean Weather

Communication

Also see World Cruiser's Nets

See Indian Ocean Radio Nets

Provisioning Points

•  ?

References

Books, guides, etc.

• See Indian Ocean References

Forum Discussion Topics

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

• Yachts Heading For South Africa

Links

Links to relevant websites.

Personal Experiences

Personal experiences of this passage.

Contributors to this page
Names: Lighthouse, Haiqu