Turks and Caicos to Luperon

[MarianDalma]

At this time we are in the north coast of Provo, planning on crossing to Luperon.
We´ll be heading for French Cay and, as far as we have seen we have to different opcions from there:
1) Take a day trip across de Bank to Great Sand Cay and head some rest and head south to Luperon from there (winds will be East 16 knots for the rest of the week).
2) Head SSE for a 120 miles trip straight to Luperon.

Our boat is a 37´ sloop.
Please send us any information about which route to take and best wheather for the trip.
All the advice you can give us is highly appreciated for us, two new cruissers.
Thanks and fear winds for everybody!

[MarianDalma]

ok, that was supposed to be FAIR WINDS!!!

[callistov42]

It's about 120 miles, no obstructions. About 24 hours for us. I never liked sailing across that bank in the T&C. Zipping along in 6' of water with occasional coral heads always makes me nervous. Are you in at Turtle Cay? That is interesting entrance!!

[s/v Jedi]

We took Jedi over the banks in 2003 and loved it ! (we're 6'2" draft) Anchoring between big & little Ambergris Cays proved to be the best snorkeling we've ever done. From there we crossed over to Big Sand Cay (also nice place but not for snorkeling) and then it's just an easy & fast 80 nm trip south.

ciao!
Nick.

[MarianDalma]

Thanks for your input.
What is the best wind direction for the crossing? NE?
We heard it can get pretty nasty.
Should we prepare for big and rough seas?
thnxs

[s/v Jedi]

NE is the only safe wind direction I think. We waited a couple of days at Big Sand Cay and had 15-20 knots of wind and a nice sail. Much depends on the size and shape of your boat; another yacht with clipper bow sailed with us and they had a wet ride.

Compared to sailing east from Luperon it is an easy sail. Always prepare for big & rough seas but we did not experience that anywhere along the DR north coast. You do get confused seas close to shore.

Make sure you arrive at Luperon at daylight. We had little trouble getting into calm water but initially missed the turn to starboard (expect floating bottles to be channel markers). Just going slow and watching depth sounder is all that's needed.

cheers,
Nick.

[happytogether]

Nick sorry to restart this but.....
We are in Provo and heading to dr next week. We are thinking your route. Provo, ambergris, big sand, luperon or puerto plata
Did you stop in sapodilla before you went to ambergris or north side Provo around and all the way to ambergris in one day?


Randy
S/V Happy Together

[s/v Jedi]

Hi Randy, we stopped in Sapodilla and over the bank to Ambergris

[happytogether]

Thanks Nick

We are in Ambergris tonight and big sand tomorrow before heading to ocean world. Where is the great snorkeling?

[s/v Jedi]

Well, you may have missed Abrahams Bay and it was even better in between Big and Little Ambergris Cays. Mind you, I was there 12 years ago so it all may have changed

[happytogether]

Nick, our trip from big sand to Ocean world was awesome. 10 kn out of the ENE. Had to motorsail but only a three or 4 foot swell so it was an easy ride and then even easier to Samana.

From the surface the snorkeling at ambergris didn't look so good, but boy were we surprised when we got in the water. the fish were so big it felt like we were swimming in the Atlantis aquarium. Thanks for the advice!

Randy



Randy
S/V Happy Together

[s/v Jedi]

Hi Randy, happy to hear all went well and that it's still a pretty spot after all those years

[Princessa]

Hello,
We will be cruising to Turks and Caicos soon and noticed that there is a required "Stores on Board" form No. C125 that we declare upon arrival. We carry lots of food and drink "stores" on board!!!! How did you handle this?
Thanks so much,
Paula
M/V Tabula Rasa
paularawls@mac.com
paula@TabulaRasa55.com
US 405.627.1199

[happytogether]

We just said food for two people. That is a commercial form. Don't pay to close attention to it.


Randy
S/V Happy Together