Belize Cruising

[blopeep]

Greetings all - we're getting reading for a bareboat cruise out of Placencia in late-April and I wanted to check in here to get some thoughts on our float plan and some additional details on provisioning, etc.

Our last time sailing in Belize was a good 20y ago and I know things are different now. We've got Freya's guide and Navionics for basic charting. Got lots of experience with anchoring while chartering out of La Paz last April as prep for this trip.

1. Chartering a 42' catamaran, 6 people total. 7 nights sailing, we're sleeping aboard the night before heading out. My husband and I are in charge of the boat; one more pair of able hands to assist us.

2. Itinerary:

• First night up to Hideaway/Pelican Caye to get the feel of the boat and also some local knowledge from Dustin.
• Next day, sail to N. Long Cocoa.
• Next, small reposition to Rendezvous or just stay at NLC
• Next to Little Water Caye
• Next to Ranguana (dinner off the boat)
• Next to South Long Cocoa
• Next to Lark (penultimate night)
• Lark -> Placencia in the am to return the boat

3. We will have ~1.5d in Placencia before getting on the boat; time for us to recover from jet lag (coming from SF Bay Area) and also to scout out provisioning.

So, that said, I'm most curious about:

1. What are our alternatives to anchoring at Lark Caye on our penultimate night? I understand that it's a bit deep there (~60') and I've heard from a friend who recently chartered from Moorings that the anchor chain/rode isn't much more than 200' all-in. We don't want to go back to Placencia per se, and thought maybe Harvest Caye would be an option?

2. What are our best options for provisioning? Will we need to hire a taxi to transfer foodstuffs or will the stores deliver to Moorings? I'm reading that produce is best obtained at roadside stands rather than in the stores. Also, where are the best deals on beer/wine?

3. How much cash should we bring? We'll want kicking-around money in Placencia and also to cover eating off the boat 2x. I'm assuming the resorts won't take a credit card, and that also includes covering mooring balls at both places.

4. Are there alternatives to the daily radio weather report/is there cell service while out on the cruising grounds? We're comfortable radioing ahead for mooring balls/reservations/etc., but really like to have a proper weather report if we can get it.

Really appreciate this thread; it's been an educational read so far and thanks in advance for any feedback/insights you're willing to share.

[belizesailor]

Re Alternatives to Lark.

First off, Lark is a good anchorage with good holding. Yes, it's deep, but you will be fine on a somewhat shorter scope. There is great snorkelling and kayak/dinghy exploring nearby. There is a shallow sand bar to the W of Lark with good snorkelling.

Alternatives:

Lark Caye North. There is a cool little shallow cove in the N end of Lark Caye. Not in Freya's guide or most charts, but one of my favorite spots. Best to have local knowledge aboard for the entrance. Check with charter company, they may not allow it. If conditions permit there is excellent snorkelling on the N end of Lark.

You can anchor off some of the other cayes east of Placencia, but they are not really suitable for over night.

No Name Point. Near Monkey River Town. Excellent holding and protection. Miles of mangrove channels to explore. Arrange a Monkey River tour.

Harvest Caye. Totally trashed by cruise ship co. You could anchor in the lee there. Just be aware that there are lots of shoals in the area to work around. Used to be common to see manatee around there, but dont know after the cruise ship rape of the caye.

False Caye. Not a great anchorage, but you can anchor in the lee of the island. Good snorkelling.

Ranguana. You could anchor off Ranguana, but holding is poor there. Easy sail back to Placencia in prevailing winds.

Placencia Lagoon. You could try something different and anchor in the back lagoon for the night. Excellent holding. Manatees & crocodiles. Good fishing around the mangroves.

[belizesailor]

Re weather. Most Belizean sources just read a copy of the NOAA forecast which is not very specific to Belize.

You can of course download forecasts if you have internet access.

Either way, knowing how to apply local influences to the synoptic forecast is good knowlege. I've posted that info on CF before. Will repost if I can (poor service here).

[belizesailor]

Re cell coverage. Spotty out on the reef, but at night you can see the red flashing cell tower lights. Face the back of your phone toward the lights and you may get a signal.

I used to have an old beat up Nokia dumb phone. The patch antenna space was not crowded out by lots of other fancy stuff. It would out perform guests latest fancy iPhone every time.

[blopeep]

Thanks very much for this and the other two answers below. After our sail in the Sea of Cortez and the big overnight blows, we tend to be wary of anchorages w/out what we'd consider "adequate scope" but your feedback is reassuring. We'll probably stick with our original plan of Lark Caye for our last night.

Also somewhat glad that cell coverage is unlikely; getting a grib file or two while out will be welcome but will see how that goes.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by blopeep

Thanks very much for this and the other two answers below. After our sail in the Sea of Cortez and the big overnight blows, we tend to be wary of anchorages w/out what we'd consider "adequate scope" but your feedback is reassuring. We'll probably stick with our original plan of Lark Caye for our last night.

Also somewhat glad that cell coverage is unlikely; getting a grib file or two while out will be welcome but will see how that goes.

De nada.

Funny, Im writing this from the Sea of Cortez. Now in Loreto.

[blopeep]

that trip was one of our absolute favorites. We overnighted in San Evaristo and a juvenile whale shark swam right past our boat in the main anchorage.

I hope you get to see the manta rays jumping! We're really hoping to get back there and spend even more time. It's SO BIG.

[Jerry Woodward]

Belizesailor: Buying the Freya guide to plan for our trip down from the west coast of Florida, possibly next season. Is third edition the most recent? Also, does this guide discuss routing from Florida or would you suggest something else?

[belizesailor]

Jerry,

Yes, the 3rd addition is the most recent. As I recall Freya's guide does briefly discuss the route from Florida, but not in much detail.

I cover it in more detail in my "Western Caribbean Cruising Notes". Below is an excerpt:

"
Yucatan Channel Coastal Route

From States bordering the Gulf of Mexico, the most common route is to stop in at Isla
Mujeres before heading further south. Currents are a significant consideration on this route,
you will have to contend with both the Florida and Gulf Loop currents [and the Yucutan current].

Once clearing Mexican waters, the decision is usually then whether to go inside or outside the
Belizean Barrier Reef. Inside has the advantage of a favorable current and cruising coastal
Belize. Outside is the best option for those who don't want to clear into, and out of, Belize. On
the outside route most will make for either Rio Dulce, Guatemala or the Bay Islands of
Honduras.
This route can be broken into several short coastal hops by stopping in along the Mexican
coast and then onto Belize.
For entering Belizean waters I do not recommend the cut at Ambergris Caye, especially not in
any significant sea state. It is a little tricky and an error will likely be catastrophic.
My recommendation is to enter at Eastern Channel near Belize City, which is wide and well
marked, and continue on to Cucumber Beach Marina to clear in.

Yucatan Channel Offshore Route

Some choose to head straight from the USA to the Rio Dulce. [You may also enter Belize from several points on this route.] Making for a point near the Dry
Tortugas and then crossing the Florida current can avoid the main axis of the Gulf Loop and
the Yucatan currents. Also crossing in this area transits the weakest area of the Florida
Current. If you route near W Cuba then you may pick up a slight favorable push from the
highly variable Cuban Counter Current. The image below shows this routing. Once S of Cuba
the rest of the route to the Rio Dulce is pretty straight forward. Just avoid the main axis of the
unfavorable Yucatan Current. The image below shows this route in red."


The advantage of the offshore route is that you avoid the mighty Yucatan Current, which you will have to contend with to get into Isla Mujeres and then south to Belize.

Note the the Gulf Loop Current is highly variable in location. You will want the most recent information on his current before departure. Both the Florida & Yucatan currents are more stable.

My "Western Caribbean Notes" cover common routes to and thru the region, primarily in terms of weather and currents. They are NOT a cruising guide. You can find them at:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Curtis...1-19116bdb079c

Im also happy to answer your questions in more detail specific to your plans here.

(posted from Hiva Oa, Marquesas)