Coastal Passage-making, South Africa

Ports of Entry/Departure – see SA Ports on the OSASA website for full details and contacts for these, and for details of marinas and yacht clubs for berthing.

Once you have entered South Africa through an official Port of Entry and completed your clearing-in procedure with Port Health, Customs and Immigration, you do not need to complete health declarations or to visit Immigration or Customs for entry into any further port along the coast while coastal passage-making.
It is, however, important that you complete the departure plan, https://passageplan.co.za/  Passage plan that will notify the next port and marina or yacht club for berthing. . It also provides information in a case of emergency.

Emergencies at sea

 NSRI Emergency Operation Centre 24 hours: - +27 87 094 9774, marine channel 16. https://www.nsri.org.za/rescue/base-finder info@searescue.org.za

Coastal Passage-making and the Agulhas ocean current.

The major feature of coastal sailing along the east coast of southern Africa is the effect of the Agulhas ocean current. This ocean current dominates the costal section from Durban to around Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) at which point the current continues further offshore.
The current flows far offshore at its northern section around Mozambique and once it passes Durban the current moves close inshore and accelerates reaching up to and over 5kn at times. When sailing down the coast to Cape Town it is wise to keep an eye on a change in the wind direction as a south or south-west wind of significant strength (18kn and stronger) will have the effect of a dangerous wind over current situation on this stretch of coastline. The result is large, steep, short waves with a very rough sea state. In such a situation the advice is to get out of the current as fast as possible (close inshore) and find a sheltered harbour or anchorage. Available weather windows need to be carefully analysed, and you are advised to select the best possible window for the first section of the Wild Coast run from Durban to East London (250nm section) as here there are no ports or anchorages at which shelter can be found. It is suggested that you engage with the local sailors to obtain local knowledge and advice.

Coastal Passage-making: Shelter and anchorages

Other than the lesser ports (Knysna, Gordon’s Bay, Simonstown (False Bay YC), Hout Bay and Port Owen) which are listed individually under the Secondary Ports section there are also a number of hiding holes and safe anchorages along the coastline that you can use to lay up and await a port entry (Knysna) or shelter from weather. Below is a list of the anchorages and areas providing shelter along the coast of South Africa that can be used for shelter in bad weather or a westerly. Please do call ahead before attempting to stop here.

Jeffreys Bay: Anchor off Super Tubes, close in. Sandy bottom, flat in a westerly. (34° 01.8’S 24°56'E)

St Francis Bay: anchor off the marina if a berth is not available. Sandy flat bottom. Very sheltered. Port St Francis is a privately owned harbour, with fishermen on one side, yachts on the other. 34°11'2.4"S 24°52'13"E (approx.) Port St Francis YC Richard Fulford info@sfb-skiboatclub.co.za

Plettenberg Bay: Call Mike Jacobs +27 82 566 7851 or OJ Grinaker +27 76 660 9776 for advice. Anchor off the east side of Robberg Beach. Sandy bottom, 6m water. Can be a bit rolly at times.
You can also anchor off Plettenberg Bay main beach (34°03'31"S 23°22'47"E). Sandy bottom, can contact Plett NSRI 082 990 5975 or Plett skiboat club 044 533 4147.
Buffalo Bay: anchor off best in calm conditions as it can get rolly (34°05'07"S 22°58'40"E), again sandy bottom.
None of the above is suitable in a South Easter, but fortunately that wind only blows in the day, gets up around 10am, goes down at sunset.
Stil Baai: Sandy bottom, not great but it works in an emergency. (34°22'S 021°25'E approx.) Local contact – Rob Gemmel +27 82 374 9214 for advice.
Sebastian Bay/Cape Infanta : Great anchorage, sandy bottom. Anchor close to the headland. NB This needs to be checked to see if cruising yachts can use this Bay. TBA

Struis Baai : Anchor close to where the small fishing boats are, in sandy bottom. Although it is exposed, the bay is generally flat. (34°47'S 020°03.5'E approx.)

Content provided by: Graham Wentworth, Jenny Crickmore-Thompson, Mike Jacobs, Vince Nel and OJ Grinaker. Please advise any corrections info@osasa.org.za