South Africa
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| - | ===Background=== | + | ===Sailing Background=== |
The "Cape of Good Hope" route is a wonderful alternative to the [[Red Sea]] route for circumnavigators, with all the wonderful [[Indian Ocean]] island stopovers en route. The passage between [[Durban]] and [[Cape Town]] has a reputation of being difficult and dangerous but cruisers who are armed with the right information and backed by excellent South African weather forecasting resources the passage can be extremely rewarding. South African yachts sail along this coast all the time, however, timing of the longer passages is important. | The "Cape of Good Hope" route is a wonderful alternative to the [[Red Sea]] route for circumnavigators, with all the wonderful [[Indian Ocean]] island stopovers en route. The passage between [[Durban]] and [[Cape Town]] has a reputation of being difficult and dangerous but cruisers who are armed with the right information and backed by excellent South African weather forecasting resources the passage can be extremely rewarding. South African yachts sail along this coast all the time, however, timing of the longer passages is important. | ||
| - | ===South Africa Climate and Weather=== | + | ===South Africa Climate and Weather for Sailing=== |
Climate? | Climate? | ||
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* [http://www.cruisingconnections.co.za Cruising Connections] - Excellent marine weather resources for the region. | * [http://www.cruisingconnections.co.za Cruising Connections] - Excellent marine weather resources for the region. | ||
| - | ===Customs and Immigration=== | + | ===South Africa Customs and Immigration=== |
'''Customs:-'''<br> | '''Customs:-'''<br> | ||
'''Goods to declare''':- Tobacco & cigarettes, Spirits, Wine, Saccharin, Narcotics, Beer, undesirable books/objects, Firearms, Articles for sale, or gifts.<br> | '''Goods to declare''':- Tobacco & cigarettes, Spirits, Wine, Saccharin, Narcotics, Beer, undesirable books/objects, Firearms, Articles for sale, or gifts.<br> | ||
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South Africa has a high crime rate so be cautious when ashore. No acts of piracy have occured along the South African coast. | South Africa has a high crime rate so be cautious when ashore. No acts of piracy have occured along the South African coast. | ||
| - | ===Tourism & things to do=== | + | ===Tourism & things to do in South Africa=== |
Among the main attractions are the diverse and picturesque culture, the game reserves (Safari Parks) and the highly regarded local wines. | Among the main attractions are the diverse and picturesque culture, the game reserves (Safari Parks) and the highly regarded local wines. | ||
* [http://www1.southafrica.net/cultures/sv-SE/consumer.southafrica.net/ Official Tourism Website] | * [http://www1.southafrica.net/cultures/sv-SE/consumer.southafrica.net/ Official Tourism Website] | ||
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===Cruisers "Friends"=== | ===Cruisers "Friends"=== | ||
| - | Tony Herrick (''himself a circumnavigator'') of [http://www.cruisingconnections.co.za Cruising Connections] in Durban is always happy to assist yachtsmen visiting South Africa. [mailto:[email protected] Email] | + | * Tony Herrick (''himself a circumnavigator'') of [http://www.cruisingconnections.co.za Cruising Connections] in Durban is always happy to assist yachtsmen visiting South Africa. [mailto:[email protected] Email] |
| + | * | ||
===External Links=== | ===External Links=== | ||
* [http://www.cruisingconnections.co.za/forums/default.asp Cruising the Indian Ocean Forums] - Regional Discussion Forum. | * [http://www.cruisingconnections.co.za/forums/default.asp Cruising the Indian Ocean Forums] - Regional Discussion Forum. | ||
| - | * | + | * [http://www.cruisingconnections.co.za/sailinglogs11.htm South Africa welcomes cruisers] - Article by Tony Herrick. |
* | * | ||
Revision as of 11:25, 25 October 2008
SOUTH AFRICA CRUISING GUIDE
An online cruising guide for sailing around South Africa.
| South Africa | |
 | |
 Flag | |
| Capital: | Pretoria |
|---|---|
| Language: | English, Afrikaans, others |
| Currency: | Rand |
| South Africa has 11 official languages. | |
Sailing Background
The "Cape of Good Hope" route is a wonderful alternative to the Red Sea route for circumnavigators, with all the wonderful Indian Ocean island stopovers en route. The passage between Durban and Cape Town has a reputation of being difficult and dangerous but cruisers who are armed with the right information and backed by excellent South African weather forecasting resources the passage can be extremely rewarding. South African yachts sail along this coast all the time, however, timing of the longer passages is important.
South Africa Climate and Weather for Sailing
Climate?
Marine Weather resourses
- Cruising Connections - Excellent marine weather resources for the region.
South Africa Customs and Immigration
Customs:-
Goods to declare:- Tobacco & cigarettes, Spirits, Wine, Saccharin, Narcotics, Beer, undesirable books/objects, Firearms, Articles for sale, or gifts.
N.B. Yachts should have a sealable locker/container if wishing to hold stores in excess of the allowance or for restricted goods (including firearms). This concession is only allowed once per person during a period of 30 days and is subject to an absence from the Republic of not less than 48 hours. Residents returning to South Africa after a period of less than 6 months do not receive duty-free allowances on new or used golf clubs, television sets, watches, firearms and fur skin apparel.
Immigration:-
Those persons requiring South African visas can obtain them from any South African Consulate including the Consulate in Reunion. These can be obtained separate from your passport if so required. Ownership papers and a letter from the master accepting responsibility for the crew are necessary when getting visas. South African ensigns are not available from the Consulates at present, but can be purchased from marine stores on arrival.
The Immigration authorities must clear everyone aboard any yacht arriving from a foreign port and foreign vessels inbound from another South African port.
The skipper/owner must write a letter requesting permission if signing off crew. This is presented to the Immigration Department, together with a completed ARRIVAL form, passport, air ticket or bank guarantee, and visa or request for temporary permit for each crewmember. The application is then submitted for approval. It is the master's responsibility to ensure that written authorization is obtained before a crewmember leaves his vessel.
Note:- Anyone wishing to visit a neighbouring country must obtain a re-entry visa before leaving.
Also see each Port.
See each sector.
See each sector.
Radio Nets
Also see Cruiser's Nets
- South Africa Maritime Mobile Net. S Africa. Covers Indian Ocean & S Atlantic. 14.316Mhz & moves to 7.045Mhz @ 0630hrs and also @ 1130hrs (both frequencies)
- Radio "Peri-Peri". (Silent Key) East Africa. Covers Indian Ocean & S Atlantic. 8.101Mhz @ 0500hrs zulu (weather) & then 12.353hz after the weather. Again (both freqs) @ 1500hrs zulu.
Almost the complete coastline of South Africa is covered by VHf Radio. Priior to the weather bulletin, an announcment is made on Channel 16, and the listener is told to go "to the advertised channel". The three radio stations are combined for this.
The times are:
Weather predictions 1015 and 1815h GMT. Coastal weather reports at 1333h GMT. (local + 2 hours). These transmitters are roughly 60 miles apart. Tune in to the station closest to your location. Sometimes the broadcast can be a little late.
| Station | VHF | Station | VHF |
| Kosi Bay Sodwana Cape st Lucia Richards Bay Bluff (Durban) Port Shepstone Port Edward Port St Johns Mazeppa Bay East London Governorskop Port Elizabeth Kareedouw | 01 03 25 28 26 26 27 24 28 26 83 25 or 27 24 | Knysna Albertina Struisbaai Pearly Beach Hermanus Cape Town Milnerton Saldanaha Elandsbaai Doringbaai Hondeklipbaai Port Nolloth Alexander Bay | 23 86 84 85 04 26 25 27 23 03 25 01 04 |
South African Ports
Also see the Indian Ocean section
- Richards Bay (Has data)
- Passage to Durban (Has data)
- Durban (Has data)
- Passage to East London (Has data)
- East London (Has data)
- Passage to Port Elizabeth (Has data)
- Port Elizabeth
- Knysna (Has data)
- Mossel Bay
- Simonstown & False Bay
- Hout Bay
- Cape Town (Has data)
- Saldanha Bay
Southern African Passages
- Madagascar to Richards Bay/Durban
- Durban/Richards Bay to Madagascar & Mayotte (Has data)
- Maputo to Richards Bay/Durban
- Durban/Richards Bay to Maputo
- Durban/Richards Bay to Tanzania (Has data)
- Tanzania to Durban/Richards Bay
- Richards Bay to Cape Town (Has data)
- Cape Town to Richards Bay
- South Africa to SE Asia (N Indian Ocean) (Has data)
- SE Asia to South Africa (Has data)
- South Africa to Australia (Has data)
- Atlantic Crossing (East to West) (Has data)
Health and Security
Health
HIV and AIDS is a major problem in South Africa.
Malaria - Malaria is not encountered along the coast south of Richards Bay. Make local enquiries when planning to travel inland in the NE areas of South Africa and north of Richards Bay along the coast.
Security
South Africa has a high crime rate so be cautious when ashore. No acts of piracy have occured along the South African coast.
Tourism & things to do in South Africa
Among the main attractions are the diverse and picturesque culture, the game reserves (Safari Parks) and the highly regarded local wines.
Forum Discussions
List links to discussion threads on the Cruiser Log Forum
References & Publications
Publications, Guides, etc.
Cruisers "Friends"
- Tony Herrick (himself a circumnavigator) of Cruising Connections in Durban is always happy to assist yachtsmen visiting South Africa. Email
External Links
- Cruising the Indian Ocean Forums - Regional Discussion Forum.
- South Africa welcomes cruisers - Article by Tony Herrick.
Personal Notes
Personal experiences.
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