South Africa - Profile

• The number of cruising boats visiting South Africa has remained stable in recent years as the Red Sea route was preferred by yachts undertaking a circumnavigation. With the return of South Africa to the international fold, this has changed as more sailors are tempted to experience first hand this country's many attractions. All round the world races now include South Africa on their itinerary.
• The country's convenient position and excellent yachting facilities make it a natural stopover, added to which are the many nature reserves that make South Africa an interesting place to visit. One major drawback is the weather and sailing conditions, the waters around the tip of Africa being among the most dangerous in the world.
• As there are yacht clubs in most ports, the clubs are the best source of information on local conditions. The yacht clubs like to be contacted in advance by those wishing to use their facilities. It is not normally allowed to live aboard a yacht, but a concession is made for visiting foreign yachts as a temporary privilege. Most yacht clubs, such as those at Cape Town, Durban and Richards Bay, have their own hauling facilities or work closely with a local boatyard.
• Yacht clubs are also convenient places to leave the boat while visiting the interior. The Zululand Yacht Club in Richards Bay is a good place from which to visit the Umfoloze, Hluhluwe and St Lucia reserves. Kruger Park is aproximately 570km by Road from Richards Bay.
• Getting work done: For any major repair, Cape Town and Durban have a complete range of services, prices are reasonable. Good for sails (repair and new). There are good chandleries in most ports, however cruisers have commented that it is surprisingly difficult to source parts. Note that many companies close for the holiday period mid-December until 4 January (approx.).
• Hout Bay, located some 20 miles south of Cape Town, is an excellent alternative for those who prefer a smaller port with surrounding beaches, wildlife and scenery to the busy marinas of Cape Town. Almost all repair facilities can be found here as well, often at a better rate and with more attention to detail. Another alternative to Cape Town is Simonstown, on the NW side of False Bay, some 15 miles North of the Cape of Good Hope. Tradespeople from Cape Town come to Hout Bay and Simonstown on a regular basis or will visit you on request.
• Provisioning: Excellent choice and prices are cheap.

Normally one can judge how much crime there is in a certain area by the amount of houses and businesses near the marina with fences, barbed wire, guard dogs, security guards and electronic alarm systems. On the whole, it is advisable to not walk anywhere at night, and if you have to, to do so in groups.

The climate varies greatly between the coastal regions and inland, and also between the Atlantic and Indian Ocean coasts. Generally, it can be described as temperate in the Cape area and tropical in the rest of the country. The prevailing winds of summer are SE, replaced in winter by W or NW winds. Gales are frequent and in summer depressions come up from the Southern Ocean accompanied by cold gale force winds. Conditions are particularly bad when such gales blow against the SW flowing Agulhas current.

For those who are concerned about the difficult passage from Durban to Cape Town, advice on the best tactics to use in these stormy waters can be obtained from the Durban Sailing Academy. Comprehensive weather information for the region can be found at http://www.cruisingconnections.co.za/weather.htm

For Cape Town Weather forecasts phone 021 9340450. Local forecasts are transmitted on VHF Channel 25 at 1015, 1333, 1815 (all times UT) (Monitor Channel 16 and be prepared to wait until radio traffic on other channels has ceased).

See Communications for details of SSB Nets which also have weather information.

South Africa Weather Forecast.

SA Weather and Disaster Observation Service
Free weather service using voluntary weather observers to obtain critical weather information.

For links to free global weather information, forecast services and extreme weather information see the Noonsite Weather Page.

Cape Town (Table Bay) * , Durban * , East London * , Hout Bay , Knysna , Mossel Bay , Port Alfred , Port Elizabeth * , Richards Bay * , Saldanha Bay , Simon's Town , St Helna Bay & Port Owen , St. Francis Bay

* indicates port of entry