Sailing from Panamá to French Polynesia

[Helio]

We are a brasilian family sailing in feb/2016 from Panamá to Marquesas.
What do we need to have to enter the French Polynesia? Costs,...etc

[HappyMdRSailor]

Welcome to CF helio!

Many here will have some info for you... Hopefully soon!

[Target9000]

Check noonsite.com! We will also attempt this crossing and I look forward to first hand input if anyone will share. Also thoughts on crossing with this El Nino going on?

[Helio]

How can I post a new message?

[Helio]

How does El Niño could afects??

[HappyMdRSailor]

Originally Posted by Helio

How can I post a new message?

The "Forums" tab at the top left brings a drop down menu... Bottom right, click the GREEN "start a discussion" button

Make sure you pick the right category after!

Originally Posted by Helio

How does El Niño could afects??

Higher water temps mean more disturbed and "not the typical" weather events...

[Muckle Flugga]

Originally Posted by Helio

We are a brasilian family sailing in feb/2016 from Panamá to Marquesas.
What do we need to have to enter the French Polynesia? Costs,...etc

Do you mean formalities or equipment?

[Helio]

Originally Posted by Target9000

Check noonsite.com! We will also attempt this crossing and I look forward to first hand input if anyone will share. Also thoughts on crossing with this El Nino going on?

Do you think El Nino will going on next year?

[stillbuilding]

Reports suggest is building to the strongest El Niño ever recorded so next year may be more so.


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[Helio]

Formalities?

[Helio]

Did cruisers had problems with El Niño this year?

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Helio.

[svzafarse]

Will need to buy a bond to enter FP. Usually a return coach ticket to your home port. Alternately you can check out the Pacific Puddle jump website. They have a waiver program where you pay a French agent a sum for the entire crew and he guarantees the bond. When I crossed in 2006 it was $175 , believe a bit higher now.


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[stevewrye]

Originally Posted by Helio

How does El Niño could afects??

We plan on crossing this year also. This is a strong year for El Nino but the good news from what I'm hearing is it should be over late this spring. The last two years with minor El Nino's have had lousy sailing for most leaving Panama for FP. Some went between 1200 and 1600 miles west south west with only light winds or no wind before hitting the trades.

Our plan is to go through the canal in early Febuary, hang out in the Las Perlas Islands then sail down to Euador and leave for FP from there going south of the Galapagos Isalnds. From Ecuador it should be only about 450 miles to the trades and we avoid the more nasty convergence zone that is North and west of the equator. I'm starting to check the winds on Passage Weather daily to start getting trending. A bit early to do so but it keeps me excited waiting to get back to Panama.

On our trip to Ecuador we may even turn west south west if we get a good wind forecast and head for FP. We will sail about two hundred miles off the Columbia coast so we miss most of the commercial fishing fleet and local boats. Being 200 miles offshore and with the right wind it will be tempting to turn right and keep going. We will be ready for both going to Ecuador or crossing for South Pacific.

Are you in Shelter Bay Marina now?