Cruising In Brazil?

[Lighthouse]

A letter from Philippe Fessard

Sailing the Coast of Brazil

New East Coast Yachting Centre Announced

Phillipe Fessard an experienced French sailor, has opened a new yachting centre at Praia do Jacaré, on the Rio Paraiba behind the port of Cabedelo, close to Joao Pessoa, (World Port Index No. 12710, 6 58'S., 34 50'W.). The buoyed channel to Cabedelo is well marked for either day or night entry, with a least depth of more than 8 meters. It is located on the trade wind trans-ocean, trans-equatorial route from Europe and Africa.

Since the 1970's Praia do Jacaré (Crocodile Beach – but there are now no crocodiles) has been a stopover for yachts heading either north or south along the Brazilian coast. It is a safe and secure anchorage up a tidal river with good holding. It is located at the easternmost point of Brazil and has the unique situation of being at the point where the Trade Winds and ocean currents divide. It is possible to sail either north to the Caribbean from here, or south to Salvador.

The location of Jacaré is unique along the Brazilian coast, as one can sail south to Salvador and easily sail north again with the trade winds still easterly as long as you don't sail cloth to the coast, (where any way a lot of local fishing boats and nets make the night watch difficult) and reasonable weak current along this part of the coast all along the year. No hurricane season, no tidal wave!

It is a small center in a beautiful and tranquil setting that eases a yacht crew into the Brazilian way of life after a long ocean passage.

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Full letter and details HERE

This is good news for cruisers to Brazil