Belize to Key Largo

[katkandu]

Hi all,
I'm a newbie planning a sail from Northern Belize to Key Largo, Fla in Late April on a 42' Cat. Any suggestions on the best route to take? And any other tid bits of information you can think of would be greatly appreciated. I would like to avoid checking in to mexico if I can.

Thanks in advance

[AnchorageGuy]

Mark, If you go to my Sea Trek Blog on my signature line and click the cruising category, you will find the details on our trip back from Guatemala via Belize, Mexico and the Keys. Have a great trip. Chuck

[katkandu]

Okay Chuck thanks . I will give it a read :-)

[capngeo]

Go out to the Gulf Stream, turn left, follow 600 or so miles, turn left again!

[s/v Moondancer]

Checking into Mexico is a $200+ day-long process with 6 copies of everything and 4 different officials visiting the boat, best done through one of the Marinas like El Cid in Puerto Morelos which is a good place to get fuel and water.

Cancún Marina Hotels- El Cid- Cancún Hotel Marinas, Best Riviera Maya Fishing

Or Marina Puerto Isla Mujeres which also has a very good fuel dock.

http://www.puertoislamujeres.com/

The Yucatan Straights become very unpleasant, like the Gulf Stream, when a northern low dips done and you get northerly winds into the northerly current. www.passageweather.com is a good way to check the waves and wind through the Straights and you can wait out the bad weather in the lovely bars they have at the above marinas.

Otherwise you just stick the boat in the 2-3 knot current and enjoy the ride.

[ActiveCaptain]

Originally Posted by katkandu

And any other tid bits of information you can think of would be greatly appreciated.

Just be really careful listening to guys who have done it once and think they're experts. Find people who have done it in all different conditions and even on different routes - they'll have the best all-around advice for you.

It's a beautiful trip. I hope to make it on my boat someday.