Brasil

[jipcho]

I am hoping to sail from Capetown, South Africa to Brasil in January 2014.
Some people have told me that Salvador is a better first port of call than Rio because it is difficult to sail north from Rio, and Salvador is easy to reach on an Atlantic crossing. I have also heard that it is very expensive to stay in a marina in Rio, and that access to the reasonably priced yacht club is nearly impossible. That said, I can't imagine sailing to Brasil, and not seeing Rio. I have also heard that there are beautiful cruising grounds around Ilha Grande and the nearby islands just south of Rio. Any advice or suggestions for where to stay in Rio? Is Salvador a more relaxed place to stay with good facilities. Any Brasilian gems that I shouldn't miss, or interesting off the beaten path anchorages and ports that are relatively safe and secure?
Thanks all,
David
SV Jipcho

[MarkJ]

Rio is unmissable. You just can't go to Brazil and not do Rio.
Salvadore De Bahia is wonderful too... but Rio is Rio

Cabo Frio is very close to Rio and a wonderful stop 22 58.4376 S 042 01.1332 W but I think its got a bit bigger than when I was there!

[jipcho]

Thanks Mark

[atoll]

buses are cheap and a great way to travel,go for the point further up the coast with a secure marina,and spend your money on inland travel,rather than paying $100 a night in rio,rio is overrated,better get the real brazil experince drinking cold beer,churasco,caipirinias in local bars and restuarants lots of backpacker hostels in rio if you need to visit,rather than hanging out at the yachtclub with the super rich

[jipcho]

Thanks, Atoll. Any names or positions for such a place?

[atoll]

Originally Posted by jipcho

Thanks, Atoll. Any names or positions for such a place?

best to check on Noonsite.com — Noonsite for latest info

http://www.noonsite.com/Members/sue/R2012-06-25-1

[yachtdaemon]

Hi Jipcho,
I think we met you in Vanuatu/Bundaberg many years ago. We did Capetown to Brazil this year, and I have a heap of cruising notes I can send you. Highly recommend arrived at Ilha Grande, 60 miles south of Rio. Checking in easy and it is a great cruising ground. Marinas in the south want stupid money, so forget about them, there are plenty of anchorages. In Rio it is no problem to anchor in Urca, under the Sugar Loaf. You can leave your dinghy on the beach (chained and daytime/early evening only) and catch buses into town.

Going north is bit of a grind, worth it for the whale experience going past the Abrolhas Islands. We are currently in Salvador in the marina there, about $US15 per day for a 32 footer. Unless you stay on Itaparica and ferry over, it is the only option here as the anchorage isn't safe.

Let me know if you have any questions.
Cheers,
Jill

[svlamorocha]

Originally Posted by jipcho

I am hoping to sail from Capetown, South Africa to Brasil in January 2014.
Some people have told me that Salvador is a better first port of call than Rio because it is difficult to sail north from Rio, and Salvador is easy to reach on an Atlantic crossing. I have also heard that it is very expensive to stay in a marina in Rio, and that access to the reasonably priced yacht club is nearly impossible. That said, I can't imagine sailing to Brasil, and not seeing Rio. I have also heard that there are beautiful cruising grounds around Ilha Grande and the nearby islands just south of Rio. Any advice or suggestions for where to stay in Rio? Is Salvador a more relaxed place to stay with good facilities. Any Brasilian gems that I shouldn't miss, or interesting off the beaten path anchorages and ports that are relatively safe and secure?
Thanks all,
David
SV Jipcho

David

I agree with most of your info. I sailed all the Brazilian coast between last year and this year.

The only marina in Rio (Marina da Gloria) is expensive and not a good place to stay these days. In fact the regulators have just cancelled the lease because the operator (billionaire Eike Batista) did not meet the contract obligations. There are no good services and it is impossible to get a bus or taxi from there much of the time. It is also not a safe area...

I recommend that you visit Rio two but leave the boat elsewhere. Logical places are Buzios, Cabo Frio or somewhere in the Angra/Ilha Grande area (I suggest a mooring ball at Marina Porto Frade near Angrathat will be safest). If you insist in leaving the boat closer to Rio try the Navy club in Niteroi but access is almost "impossible" as you say. By the way, buses from ANgra or Porto Frade are cheap and good.

+1 on the recommendation of Angra as port to clear in. In my experience that is the easiest place in the whole country. If you arrive in Buzios or Cabo Frio you will have to go to Rio to do papers and I am not sure they will like it.

+1 on recommendation of the area around Angra/Ilha Grande area as cruising ground.

The other classic cruising area in Brazil is the bay of Salvador aka Bahia de Todos os Santos, much less developed than Ilha Grande. Unfortunately safety can be an issue there (unlike in Angra/Ilha Grande). If you PM me I can hook you up with local sailors who can give you the latest..

Regarding the difficulty in sailing from Rio to Salvador, it depends on time of the year. Half of the year it is very difficult with NE in your nose, but the rest of the year (say Feb-Aug if I recall correctly; see pilot charts) it is OK. That would drive my choice of arrival port.

Fair winds

Charlie

[bgallinger]

I worked out of Rio and Macae in Brazil for a year. The beaches are ok. Nothing else interests me there. Watch your wallet.