Noonsite December Sailing News & Updates | |
Cruising into 2025
Reflecting on a year where the mighty ocean currents are flowing with an abundance of cruising yachts once more, the popularity of exploring by sailboat seems to be growing with renewed vigour. Many are discovering that sailing isn’t just a mode of transport, it’s also a way of life that offers unique experiences, alternative perspectives and a diverse, global community. Here at Noonsite we continue to work hard to make it as easy as possible to go long-distance cruising by providing accurate, detailed information on clearance formalities and rules for recreational yachts worldwide, feature ports of entry, plus provide a vast library of cruising resources.
Many of you have discovered Noonsite for the first time this year as you embark on offshore cruising adventures and we welcome you as new members, but in this final newsletter of the year, we would particularly like to recognise our top contributors this year, members who have unfailingly reported on their clearance experiences and shared wonderfully detailed reports on destinations they have cruised to. While our small team work hard to keep the information on Noonsite as up to date as possible, as well as bring you great cruising stories, news and intel from around the world, Noonsite would not be such a useful resource if it weren’t for the contributions and feedback from you, our users. Thank you.
Wishing all our users, advertisers, information-sharing-partners and cruising contacts from around the world joy, happy memories and peaceful ocean moments this holiday season and only the very best cruising for 2025.
Sue, Lynda and Megan – the Noonsite Team
For information on sending feedback and cruising reports to Noonsite - see here.
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Top Noonsite Contributors 2024
We are delighted to gift our top contributors Noonsite membership for the next 12 months. Our heartfelt thanks to cruisers Brent Crack, Mary Bevan, Grant McNamara, Maria and Allen Wadsworth, Ivar Smits, Floris van Hees, James Ashwell, Dominique Cabarroque, Christine Mitchell, Sarah Ovens, Luc Callebaut, Michelle Shultz, Alison Gieschen, Behan Gifford, Bruce Balan, Alene Rice, Maryanne Webb, Kathy Erwin, Chuck Houlihan and Linda Edeiken.
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Cruising Impact
Guardian Angels
Glenn and Eddie Tuttle have supported the cruising community for years running communication and safety Nets for a number of organisations and took over BoatWatch.org in 2019 with the mission to maintain a worldwide network of resources to aid mariners that are missing or overdue; have a boat stolen; or to whom urgent messages need to be relayed. Both Glenn and Eddie take this responsibility very seriously and do everything in their power to assist in helping locate all overdue and missing vessels. They work directly with family members and friends of missing cruisers to assist in their interaction with government officials if needed. If you don’t yet follow them, start today. The latest “BOLO” (Be On the LookOut) may just be in your cruising area. Thank you Glenn and Eddie for all you do for cruisers.
Joan Conover’s Clean Wake
Helm of the Seven Seas Cruising Association and long-term Caribbean cruiser, Joan has been practicing one of SSCA’s founding principles — leave a clean wake – ever since she took to the water. Whether it’s raising important funds for locals in the communities she visits, championing citizen-science projects or assisting with emergency communications for yachts on passage, Joan tirelessly gets on with it and gets results. This recent article in Caribbean Compass (previously in Cruising World magazine) gives an insight into this inspirational sailor.
Help to Fight Pacific Crime
With the issue of drug trafficking in the South Pacific now a hot topic following the seizure of 1400 tonnes of drugs on a “narco sub” bound for Oceania, the cruising community need to be aware of the on-going international operations in the Pacific, how this will affect their cruising and how they too can assist the authorities in this fight against crime. Find out more here.
Tell us how you are making a difference and we will add you to our Cruising Impact page.
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Sail to the Caribbean this Season with Sevenstar
Sevenstar Yacht Transport offers sailings from the Caribbean to Europe and the USA East Coast. Enjoy the summer sailing season exploring new cruising grounds. With regular transatlantic sailings, Sevenstar makes it easy to get your boat to the Mediterranean.
Please reserve your spot now and let our expert team handle every detail of your journey, ensuring your yacht arrives safely and on time. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to sail with confidence next summer!
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New to Cruising
Rally News
Taking part in a long-distance rally, particularly for first-time ocean passagemakers, continues to be a popular choice for many. Not only does the event provide structured guidelines for passage preparation, including safety, it’s also a quick and easy way to meet other like-minded cruisers and make solid cruising connections, that often last way beyond the event itself. 1300+ crew crossed the Atlantic this year with World Cruising Club’s Atlantic rallies: the ARC which finished in Saint Lucia and the ARC+ which finished in Grenada. Read more about World Cruising Club Rallies here.
Extended Passages: Don’t forget to insure your boat and crew
When preparing for an extended voyage there are a multitude of things to consider and prepare for, including the boat’s equipment and passage planning. With the pressure to cast off and boat jobs to finish, one area that can often get overlooked is the vessel’s insurance and ensuring adequate cover has been agreed and purchased prior to departure. Topsail Insurance explain important considerations and how best to extend your insurance cover for cruising passages in this useful article.
The Cooking Gas Dilemma
In many countries it is not possible to get gas bottles refilled. However, gas, be it propane or butane, is often available in large (30kg or more) canisters. These cruisers have produced easy to follow guides on how to decant gas from a large cylinder into your cooking gas bottles.
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Off the Beaten Path
High Latitude Challenge
Jimmy Cornell, publisher of Cornell’s Ocean Atlas and pioneer of many sailing routes and rallies, has launched an event aimed at anyone interested in joining other like-minded sailors on a voyage to the exciting high-latitude destinations of the Arctic, the Northwest Passage and Antarctica. Find out more details.
In Search of Chameleons and Lemurs
After dealing with the officialdom of checking into Madagascar and the numerous fees and paperwork demanded by officials, SV Pazzo and her crew were then free to continue their Madagascar adventure and set off in search of wildlife. Read part 2 of their Madagascar report here.
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Pacific Ocean
Planning: Cruising boats will be planning their passage through that symbolic gateway, the Panama Canal, over the next few months. Ahead, beckons the whole Pacific Ocean - a vast area that covers one-third of the globe. In spite of the long passage distances – with careful planning a Pacific voyage can make for incredible cruising. Read Noonsite's Pacific Planning Advice to get you started.
Australia: Australian Biosecurity report nearly 1,000 yacht and superyacht arrivals in 2024, the three favourite ports of entry being Bundaberg, Cairns and Christmas Island.
Cook Islands: Located between French Polynesia and Samoa the Cooks are a popular stopover for yachts heading west across the Pacific. However, Cook Island Authorities stress that yachts intending to visit should plan to arrive at one of the two designated Ports of Entry.
Marshall Islands: The Marshall Islands consists of two main island chains: Ratak (also known as Sunrise) to the East and Ralik (or Sunset) to the west. There are 29 coral atolls and five main islands spread across these two island chains renowned for their incredible WWII remnants and fantastic wreck diving. A permit is needed to visit each of the outer islands. Currently cruising there, SV Sugar Shack have provided detailed updates on how to complete the required paperwork and provided a short summary of the Outer Islands.
New Caledonia: Entering a new country, tired after a long, often rough, voyage can be daunting, plus the language barrier and lack of local knowledge can present a challenge. This is when the assistance of a local Yacht Agent can be invaluable, as SV Cream Puff discovered recently when entering Noumea, New Caledonia.
New Zealand: Maritime NZ have introduced new rules for anyone intending to take an NZ-flagged recreational boat overseas, but the rules also apply for foreign-flagged yachts departing NZ on an international voyage. Find out more in this news item.
Tonga: Following talk of Starlink being banned from Tonga, the Tonga Government has now granted Starlink a temporary permit. Vessel roamers that enter the country for more than 60 days are required to switch to a local Starlink subscription, those that enter and leave within 60 days are fine to remain with a roaming plan.
The formation of a 75,000 m2 lava lobe has been observed at the Home Reef volcano between December 4 and 15, 2024. Mariners are advised to maintain a safe distance of at least 4km from the volcano. Read the Hazard Alert here.
Vanuatu: A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck Port-Vila on 17 December. Described as a violent, high frequency vertical shake with Tsunami waves seen, buildings were destroyed and nearly 1,700 people displaced. Severe weather was subsequently forecast over the Christmas period. Many areas of Vanuatu suffered extensive damage from natural disasters in 2023 including from Cyclones Judy and Kevin (March 2023) and then from an earthquake. Our thoughts are with the people of Vanuatu who have suffered yet more incredible loss.
Because of a lack of data on the yachting industry in Vanuatu, Market Development Facility (MDF), the Vanuatu Department of Tourism (DoT) and the Vanuatu Tourism Office (VTO) collaborated to complete the first independent economic impact assessment of Vanuatu’s yachting industry. This report outlines the key findings.
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Open the doors to the wonder of Sri Lanka with GAC – Your Yachting Partner
Discover the Indian Ocean’s hidden gem with GAC Sri Lanka, offering expert yacht agency services at Colombo, Galle, Hambantota, and Trincomalee. From customs and immigration to provisioning, fuel bunkering, and exclusive excursions, we tailor every detail for discerning yacht owners and guests.
With personalised services, efficient port handling, and 24/7 support, our team ensures seamless experiences across all ports. Let us make your Sri Lankan adventure unforgettable. Contact us at +94 114 797900 or yachts.lk@gac.com to start your journey with GAC Sri Lanka today.
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South China Sea
Indonesia
With over 25,000 islands and 28 Ports of Entry ranging from Kupang in the east to Sabang in the west, Indonesia can be one of the most welcoming to visiting cruisers, yet at the same time one of the most frustrating due to the often-changing rules and regulations. Noonsite team member Lynda Lim recently visited Bali and discovered new intel about the new crew change requirement and news about Bali's latest marina development. Read her report here.
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Indian Ocean
Madagascar: On the stopover list for many cruisers crossing the Indian Ocean due to its rich biodiversity, stunning landscapes and diverse culture, Madagascar has a reputation of extreme officialdom towards visiting yachts. SY Pazzo braved the red tape this year and shared two reports with Noonsite of their experience cruising this fascinating country.
Mayotte: The French Indian Ocean Territory of Mayotte was devastated a few weeks ago after Cyclone Chido made landfall and flattened entire communities with heavy rainfall and winds that reached more than 200km/h. While the cyclone has passed, conditions in the Mayotte area may still pose risks to vessels due to potential damage and debris. Before venturing into this region, check for updated weather information and navigational hazard advisories from official sources.
South Africa:
OSASA report that circumnavigators trying to get to Cape Town for Christmas this year have found it to be a long hard slog! Umpteen yachts were stuck hiding around Inhambane along the Mozambique coast, many more were delayed leaving Réunion and Mauritius with bad weather, and Madagascar was a nightmare of bureaucracy and red tape. What should have been 10-12 day passages became 20-24 days to be endured - and that was before even getting to Richards Bay or Durban.
Circumnavigators Brent Crack and Mary Bevan have sent regular reports to Noonsite as they circle the globe. Now having crossed the Indian Ocean and spent time exploring South Africa, their latest report describes the challenges of getting to Cape Town and ports en-route, plus how visiting this country made such an impact on them.
Durban Point Yacht Club have shared a “risk” map they produce to assist cruisers with knowing the safe areas in the city. Find out more on our Durban page.
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Red Sea
The recently updated Red Sea Compendium, c/o SV Soggy Paws, covers routes from Cochin, India, up the Red Sea through the Suez Canal. It also includes a list of approved anchorages and prohibited anchorages in Egypt.
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Helping Cruisers Explore Japan
Japan Cruising Support
Konpira Consulting helps cruisers explore Japan. We assist with the clear-in, get the necessary cruising permits, prepare passage plans, provide moorage recommendations, make marina reservations, arrange for repairs/haulouts, give emergency support, and much more.
Two Rallies to Explore Japan
We also organize yacht rallies. In 2025, we will organize the:
- Japan Yacht Rally – 10 weeks (March 14 to June 1) to take cruisers from Okinawa to Hokkaido;
- Setouchi Yacht Rally – 4 weeks (May 2 to 25) to explore the beautiful Seto Inland Sea.
From 2026, we will organize a 5-month Around Japan Rally to do a full circumnavigation of Japan’s four main islands.
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Atlantic Ocean
Brazil: The South Atlantic island of Fernando de Noronha is a convenient first port of entry into Brazil for many yachts crossing the Atlantic from South Africa to the Caribbean. Read the latest feedback from cruisers concerning clearance, costs and anchoring.
Canary Islands: US Sailor Josh Kegan, warns about trying to refill US bottles in the Canary Islands. When in Arrecife, Lanzarote he discovered that the plant would not fill his US-style propane bottle because the only date stamped on the bottle was in the past (i.e. the date of manufacture/certification) – there was no expiration date. It’s illegal in the Canaires to refill bottles that don’t have a future date stamped on them.
United Kingdom: The UK's new advance Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) programme is ramping up in 2025. Starting 8 January, visitors from the United States, Canada, Australia and other non-European nations who currently do not need a visa for short stays in the UK will be required to obtain an ETA to enter the country and from 2 April, EU nationals. An important pre-arrival step to make if planning on cruising in the UK this coming season. The cost of an ETA will be £10 per application.
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Marine and Leisure Insurance
Topsail are delighted to be the Official Noonsite Insurance Partner.
Let us help with your Insurance needs for your boat or travel requirements.
Our customers love our service and products scoring us 4.9 out of 5 on Google reviews.
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Caribbean Sea
ED Card Systems: Did you know that you can participate in Digital Online Embarkation/Disembarkation (ED) Card Systems to replace the paper arrival / departure cards that travelers file when clearing in and out in some countries? While not all countries use these paper forms for arrivals by sea, some countries do require them and as countries continue to move away from paper forms, there is every reason to expect it will become standard for arrivals by private vessels in the future.
The digital ED card system in the BVIs entered an introductory pilot phase on 1 October 2024 and is scheduled to become mandatory on 1 January 2025. The system in Sint Maarten became mandatory on 15 October 2024 for air travelers. In Saint Lucia digital ED cards have been mandatory for air travelers since April 2023, however, Lexi Fisher of Doyle Guides reports that yachties are encouraged to use the digital system as well.
Have you encountered the use of ED forms – hard copy or digital – in your clearance processes? Let us know via email to noonsite@noonsite.com, especially if we don’t mention them on Noonsite.
Yacht Security: As yachts arrive in the Caribbean for the start of the yachting season, so crime reports have increased. Thieves have been very active this month in both St. Martin and Sint Maarten with numerous yacht burglaries and dinghy/outboard thefts reported. A catamaran moored in St. Kitts was boarded at night and burgled and thieves are again active in the Bocas del Toro Marina anchorage in Panama. Another report has come in from yachts transiting offshore Venezuela, this time from a double-handed crew on passage from Los Roques to Grenada who managed to fend off armed pirates at night. All security reports on Noonsite can be seen here.
The Caribbean Safety and Security Net now have a new volunteer addition to their team - thank you to everyone who offered help. CSSN have published security summaries for 2023 – useful reference for areas you are considering visiting this season in and around the Caribbean. See their summary of violent events against cruisers in 2023 and 2023 Annual Report of Crimes in the Caribbean.
Grenada: Deb Eastwood started Get Grenada Swimming 12 years ago when she found out that 90% of the island population didn’t know how to swim. They are always looking for volunteers to help teach kids and adults how to swim.
French Antilles: A fond farewell to a long-term contact of Noonsite’s in the French Antilles, Richard Bayle. Richard has hung up his oilskins and is moving away from the liveaboard life after many years providing cruisers with local information and support. A huge thankyou Richard for all your efforts over the years.
Panama: The final staged increase in canal transit fees takes place on 1 January, 2025, when small boats will have to pay an additional $195 in toll fees. However, an unexpected additional booking fee was unannounced just a few days before year end that will set back yacht owners a further $500. Called a Vessel Scheduling Fee, it is being implemented to better accommodate vessels that cannot be booked through the regular reservation system, but require coordination with the Canal to be scheduled for transit. Many yachts lined up to transit in January and February will have to accept this new fee, however, it may affect the decisions of many small yacht owners who are still considering whether or not to go through Panama. See a breakdown of all fees at Noonsite's Panama Canal Transit Guide. Our thanks to Erick Gálvez of Centenario Consulting, Panama, for keeping Noonsite advised.
Cruiser Rob Murray from Panama reports that Puerto Armuelles on the Pacific coast of Panama is once again open as a port of entry and exit (it closed during the Pandemic). Unfortunately the derelict pier has not been restored, so beach landings are still required.
Saba: Patrick Catellani recently visited and reports “Overall, Saba is a fantastic spot for scuba diving, boasting beautiful underwater landscapes and diverse marine life. Just be prepared for heavy swells and plan accordingly for communication, as Starlink is blocked here.”
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Xufre Boatyard Galicia
Located on the beautiful Arousa Island in the Ria de Arousa, NW Spain, our boatyard is ideally situated to assist boat owners on passage south/north to/from North Europe and those enjoying summer cruising in the Rias, but wanting a safe and secure place to leave their boat for the winter.
Boat owners can carry out work themselves or use our on-site professionals. Just 1 hour from Santiago & Vigo airports, getting to and from your boat is easy. Competitive rates.
https://www.xufre.es/
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Mediterranean Sea
Whether you need to fit your Med cruising around work, school, or Schengen zone requirements, three months of sailing in Europe can make for a summer to remember. Exploring the many cruising areas in Europe within the 90-day Schengen limit requires some careful planning, but there are literally hundreds of scenarios to choose from. Read more at Yachting World’s guide to 90 days of summer cruising. See also numerous reports on Noonsite as to how cruisers have navigated the "Schengen Shuffle". All rules and regulations can be found at Noonsite's EU page.
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Book of the Month
Under Wide and Starry Skies
By Nicholas Coghlan
Cast off the lines and discover 50 of the most fabulous off-the-beaten-track sailing destinations on our planet. Author Nicholas Coghlan and his wife Jenny have sailed 70,000 miles offshore in two successive 27ft sailboats Tarka the Otter and Bosun Bird. Their adventures include a circumnavigation of the world and a year in Patagonia. The selection of locations for the book is based on their cruising experience. Each anchorage is introduced with a lively account describing the place, its history and people (if any) as well as the author and his crew’s adventures, followed by a beautifully hand-drawn sketch of the anchorage and an information box. A book to inspire and encourage you to cruise that extra mile.
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Join Noonsite
Noonsite has been helping cruisers by providing free information for over 20 years, but did you know that by becoming a member you can unlock unlimited access to the site for just $2.99 a month?
BASIC subscription: US$2.99 a month.
Unlimited access to the whole site without restrictions; no annoying membership pop-ups; use of the Noonsite map for ports of entry, marinas and boatyard info. plus recommended anchorages; post and read comments.
PREMIUM subscription: US$6.99 a month.
All of BASIC, plus download your choice of port, country and formalities information as a pdf for use offline, including business listings. Ideal if you are casting off for some extended long-distance cruising and want all that Noonsite has to offer at your fingertips.
Thank you for helping Noonsite stay on the web.
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