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Noonsite November Sailing News & Updates

Arrive Prepared


As widespread winter conditions hit Europe and North America this month, droves of sailboats are on their way to warmer waters. November is migration season - east to west across the Atlantic Ocean.


Cruising between the Caribbean Islands can often feel as close as moving between ports – when in fact you are moving to a completely new country, with different regulations, paperwork and attitudes to visiting yachts. As our team work to find out the latest regulations around the world, the resounding message we receive from port officials is “please do your homework”.


Arriving in a foreign port unannounced, unaware of the required entry procedures and with no documents prepared, is unacceptable and many ports will turn you away (yet many yachts still continue to cruise between countries in this fashion). Cruisers need to remember that unlike air travel, where it’s just the individual that needs to be processed, cruising clearance requires the individuals on board the boat, and the boat itself to be cleared.


As you cruise to foreign shores this season, arrive prepared, keep the officials happy and make it easier for those following in your wake. Consult Noonsite, where our team works hard to provide a quick overview of each country's rules as well as provide in-depth detail for Clearance, Customs, Immigration, Documents, Fees, Pets and more. Be sure to action the pre-arrival requirements, get your paperwork in order for both the boat and crew and arrive at your destination having read the regulations and followed the rules. 


This month we have updates regarding the Mexican temporary import permit, the Marshall Islands outer islands permit, permit applications for BIOT/Chagos and new fees in the Bahamas – plus great reports from cruisers in Indonesia and the Indian Ocean and much more.


Giving thanks to all our contributors, members, advertisers and information sharing partners.


Fair winds,

Sue and the Noonsite Team

Cruising Impact


Helping School Children in the Solomons

German cruiser Hilde Larsen is currently based in Noro, Western Province, where she is helping establish a new marina. Hilde is also working to raise funds for local schools in the area and to encourage sponsors enabling local children to attend school (which is not free). Her current project is working with Tehilla Christian Primary School in Noro to raise funds for student medical examinations, first-aid training of 3 instructors, a first-aid station, new school extension with 6 classrooms and new sanitary facilities. Find out more about her work on her website.


Welcome Support for Cruisers

One team of cruiser volunteers who are making a massive impact for all yachts arriving on South African shores are OSASA – the Ocean Sailing Association of South Africa. Their care, support, smiles and welcome are a much-needed balm after tackling the great Indian Ocean, and one that cruisers should not take for granted. These sailors have given up countless hours of their time and energy to not only establish a straightforward, organised and stress-free clearance procedure for visiting yachts, but also to provide a kind welcome and support structure as yachts sail around South Africa. The season may be short, but OSASA are working year-round to further ease the bureaucracy for sailors. If you have time to contribute, consider joining their team as a volunteer with help needed for the OSASA website and newsletter. Contact Jenny Crickmore-Thomas at sailingjenny@osasa.org.za, to find out how you can get involved.


Caribbean Yacht Security: Help other cruisers enjoy safe cruising in the Caribbean by volunteering with the Caribbean Safety and Security Net (CSSN). An all-volunteer organization, the CSSN have been helping keep cruisers informed of yacht security situations Caribbean-wide for many years - just an hour a week is needed! To find out how you can help contact safetyandsecuritynet@gmail.com.


Tell us how you are making a difference and we will add you to our Cruising Impact page.

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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.


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New to Cruising


Planning on Cruising in Mexico?

If you are buying a 2nd hand boat and planning to cruise Mexico, be very careful to check first if Mexico still has a Temporary Import Permit (TIP) registered in that boat’s history. A TIP must be purchased for extended cruising in Mexico and should be cancelled when leaving Mexico for the last time, or before selling the boat. However, many boat owners don’t do this. Problems arise if the boat does have an un-cancelled TIP as the new owner will not be able to bring the boat back into Mexico until the TIP has been cancelled (a time-consuming and expensive process). Find out more in this report.

 

First Time Heading South?

Ocean Navigator have some good tips for North American snowbirds preparing to head south for the winter, covering boat and crew prep, routes, passage planning, the ICW vs outside and safety.


Last Chance to Get Imray Charts for Leisure Sailors

For more than 200 years, Imray Charts have been trusted by mariners and sailing enthusiasts around the world. But now, in recognition of the growing trends in nautical digital navigation, the company has announced the gradual conclusion of its chart publishing operations. There’s still time to stock up on key charts for your long-distance cruising (their North Atlantic Planning chart is a great addition if planning a Transatlantic). Find out more at this news item.

5 Logs in 1 Book

Ship’s Log, Cruising Log, Vessel Inventory, Fluid Changes & Fills, Maintenance, Repairs & Upgrades plus a Quick Reference section.

The Only 5-in-1 Vessel Logbook


Created by boaters for the needs of boaters:

  • 8" x 10" size is large enough to comfortably write in, but small enough to store in a convenient location.
  • Rustproof lay-flat spiral binding makes it easy to write in underway.
  • Ultra-durable and waterproof PVC cover resists tearing
  • Tabbed dividers make it a snap to find the right page
  • Designed and manufactured in the USA; minimal packaging


 

Off the Beaten Path


The Disappearing Smallest Country in the World

Visited by just 12 yachts a year, the eight atolls in the central South Pacific that comprise Tuvalu are slowly disappearing as sea levels rise. For the cruisers that do visit here (often en-route from Tonga to the Marshall Islands), Tuvalu is the highlight of their Pacific cruising – as described by SY Oh Joy II who visited here in 2023. 11,000 citizens live on just 10 square miles of “land” (for context, Disney World in Florida is 43 square miles) and are losing their home to the ocean. NASA scientists predict that much of Tuvalu’s critical infrastructure will sit below the level of the current high tide by 2050. In an effort to preserve the country, the Tuvalu government is spending millions of dollars on land reclamation, however, they are also creating a virtual replica of Tuvalu called the Digital Nation Project. It is hoped that this will preserve the nation's beauty, culture and legal rights of its citizens for generations to come. Find out more at https://www.tuvalu.tv/ and this BBC article.

Ocean Outlook

Pacific Ocean


Cook Islands: The Cooks Port Authority have confirmed that there are only 2 ports of entry open for visiting pleasure yachts: Rarotonga (Avatiu Wharf) and Aitutaki (Arutanga Port). All other ports of entry are closed and can only be entered for clearance if permission has been applied for and granted in advance. Penrhyn (Omoka Wharf) is closed are there are no customs officials there at the moment. The Port Authority stressed that vessels arriving at night MUST anchor off and radio for permission to enter port the next day. Dredging works are continuing at Aitutaki and should be completed mid-2025.

 

Solomon Islands: Noro, Western Province, has a new marina development underway. Currently there are 8 swing moorings for short term stays and boat storage available. Development over the next 2 years will provide a jetty for 10+ boats and associated services.


Marshall Islands: Cruisers arriving in the Marshall Islands report that applications to obtain a permit to visit the outer islands (where the magic happens!) are slow, taking several weeks. They recommend starting the application process as soon after arrival in Majuro as you can.

Sailing the Galapagos Islands


Visiting the Galapagos Islands is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and you should not miss a single moment because of paperwork or repair problems. Our local agents provide support, back-up and high-end quality yachting services so that you can have an unforgettable and stress-free cruise.


As a member of the South Pacific Sailing Network, Cruising Station Host for the Seven Seas Cruising Association and Port Officer for the Ocean Cruising Club, our mission is to ensure a reliable service, efficiency with clearance formalities and smooth entry into the Galapagos. We serve sailing vessels and yachts of any size.

Visit our Website

South China Sea


Indonesia: Bali is one of Indonesia’s most well-known islands and a designated port of entry for yachts who want to explore the archipelago of more than 15,000 islands. Noonsite’s regional sub-editor Lynda Lim recently visited the island as part of a land-based visit to the country and met with several agents and officials to discuss some of the current issues facing cruising sailors. 


Unfortunately, Bali has gained a reputation as being less than welcoming to sailors, with limited services and facilities and crowded harbours and anchorages. However, Lynda found that while there are issues which other Indonesian islands also face - including rubbish and overzealous officials - there are some positives to be aware of. “There is good provisioning here and medical facilities are easy to access and reasonably inexpensive. There is a new marina planned for Benoa Harbour which will include haulout and repair facilities and the developers are planning several more marinas on other islands in the near future.” 


Overall, the message was one of welcome for visiting sailors, but the authorities urge cruisers to make sure they understand the rules and regulations, prepare all the relevant documentation and if there is any uncertainty- please ask for help! Indonesia’s new President is keen to encourage the marine tourism industry as he believes the country has huge potential. Whether that desire will come to fruition remains to be seen.

 

Indonesian Rally: After leaving Vanuatu on their slow circumnavigation adventure (now into their sixth year), regular Noonsite contributors Maria and Allen Wadsworth joined a rally to take them through Indonesia. While the rally provided valuable logistical support and cultural experiences, it was not without its challenges. Maria and Allen have sent Noonsite two reports, the first covering details of their route through Indonesia from Debut (Kei Islands) to Batam (Riau Islands) and the second report covering the positives and negatives of joining a rally.


Philippines: An unusually high frequency of typhoons and storms have hit the Philippines during late October and early November, causing catastrophic damage and deaths in many areas due to flooding from heavy rainfall, along with severe winds and storm surges along coastal areas. Read the news.

Indian Ocean


Indian Ocean Crossing – Part 2: Following a challenging crossing from Western Australia to Rodrigues (Mauritius), Brent Crack and Mary Bevan report on the second leg of their voyage from Rodrigues to South Africa. They experienced the rugged beauty of Reunion Island and hid from the weather in Madagascar and Mozambique before arriving in Richard’s Bay, South Africa.


BIOT/Chagos: In October, the UK Government announced it had agreed to return the British Indian Ocean Territory of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, after a long period of negotiations, but the incoming Mauritius Prime Minister had indicated he has reservations about the deal. This archipelago is a popular stopover for yachts crossing the Indian Ocean. Currently the permit application rules have not changed. Read the news here.


Tanzania: The Ovens family set off from the east coast of Australia in 2020, cruising westward through South East Asia before crossing the Indian Ocean to Tanzania on their catamaran SV Excelsior. Here is their essential reading for any cruisers headed that way:

Tanzania – Things to Know Before You Go

Tanzania – Guide to Marine Parks and Reserves

Tanzania – Busy Ports and Stunning Anchorages

Visit our Website

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.

Atlantic Ocean


With the start of the 39th Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) on 24 November from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, there are 250 yachts crossing the Atlantic Ocean from the Canary Islands to the Caribbean with the ARC and ARC+ rallies. The fleet to the south of the rhumb line are enjoying 10-12knots ENE trade winds, whilst those further north are experiencing slightly lighter winds. Trade winds are forecast to fill in soon. First ARC+ arrivals into Grenada are expected in the first week of December and the first ARC yachts into St. Lucia more likely at the start of week 2. 


The first ARC set sail from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on 25 November 1986 and has run every year since, making 2025 the 40th edition of the rally.

To celebrate this achievement, World Cruising Club are offering some special discounts:

• For any boat 40'/12.19m or less - 2 free crew places.

• For any boat that sailed in ARC 1986 - 4 free crew places.

• For any skipper who sailed in ARC 1986 (as an adult or child) - 4 free crew places.

There are already 86 boats entered in the cruising, multihull, racing and open divisions of ARC 2025. If you'd like to be part of this historic fleet, request a brochure here.

Sail to the Caribbean this Season with Sevenstar


Sevenstar Yacht Transport offers sailings in November and December from Europe to the Caribbean and the USA East Coast. Escape the cold and bring your yacht to the ultimate winter destination. With regular transatlantic sailings, Sevenstar makes it simple to reach the sun-soaked shores of the Caribbean.


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 this winter!

Reserve your spot now

Caribbean Sea

 

Weather: Caribbean Compass have put together a handy list of updated Caribbean weather websites, nets and services for the 2014/15 season.


Sailing Guides: Don’t miss the free Doyle Guides App if you are planning on exploring the Caribbean this season. Plus the 2025 editions of the Cruising Guide to the Southern Leeward Islands and the Cruising Guide to the Northern Leeward Islands are now available in hard copy.


Venezuela/Aruba: A solo sailor was slightly injured when a mysterious bullet was fired at his vessel while he was motor-sailing offshore between Venezuela and Aruba. In reporting the incident to the CSSN, the captain said no vessels could be seen nearby, no further shots were fired and no vessel approached.


Grenada: Prickly Bay Marina Customs and Immigration is now open (08:00-16:00 Mon-Fri & 09:00-14:00 Sat/Sun). Overtime charges apply on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.


St. Lucia: A yacht that arrived in Soufriere and took a mooring, left their boat unlocked when visiting friends on a neighbouring yacht for a couple of hours. On their return they discovered that they had been boarded and burgled. Do your research before you go and know what security protocols to practice to keep your valuables safe.


Bahamas: There is now a $200 per person, non-refundable fee for processing extensions of stay. The first cruisers of the season arriving in the Bahamas this month were adversely affected by some confusion when the new fee was implemented, however it now seems that things have settled down and cruisers that hold a 3 month cruising permit should be cleared in for 90 days if they ask for it. Be sure to ask Immigration on arrival for the length of your intended stay. Find out more.

Exciting news - we now offer haul out services for Catamarans up to 33ft beam/75ft LOA!!

Contact Us

New Caribbean Haulout for Catamarans


Jolly Harbour Marina & Boatyard is expecting a busy season ahead – on the docks and in the boatyards.


A twin pier lifting area, 85ton boatlift, custom designed boat mover and a designated secure yard. Facilitating short term stays for maintenance, or long term summer storage. You can work on your boat yourself or engage the services of the skilled Marine services available on site. Whatever your needs, our expert team are ready to serve you.


Our docks are always in demand every season – let us know your plans so we can be sure to accommodate you. Reservations are required for all haul out services and highly recommended for dockage. Request an estimate without any obligation. Discounts available for cruising memberships and Atlantic crossings.


Make your booking now to avoid disappointment.


Mediterranean Sea


Spain: The amount of rainfall in the Med this month has been unprecedented. At the start of November flash floods devastated villages on the outskirts of Valencia, causing over 200 deaths and the loss of many livelihoods. Read more.


Tunisia: Reports from Hammamett in Tunisia this month are that the marina is very busy this winter with liveaboard cruisers. A WhatsApp group has been formed for cruisers to share information with direct contact to the harbour master out of hours. Shopping trips, desert outings and happy hours are regularly organised. Foreign yachts can remain in Tunisia for a substantial period if the rules are followed – find out how.

Book of the Month


Skip Novak on Sailing

Words of Wisdom from 50 Years Afloat


An invaluable resource for any sailor, regardless of experience level. In his new book, Skip shares first-hand knowledge gained from 5 round the world races and years of high latitude adventure cruising. The book covers a wide range of traditional skills such as celestial navigation, anchoring, and docking, particularly aimed at new and younger sailors. He also looks ahead, focusing on breakthrough technology that can help people stay afloat. Useful, pragmatic and motivational – a great addition to your onboard library.

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