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jomac · 15-12-2010, 07:47

Hello,

We are sailing up the west coast of Africa at the moment and are on our way to the Cape Verde Islands. We recently left St. Helena Island and are now heading north. We need to get some people off the boat earlier so they can catch their flights back to Europe for Christmas. We were thinking that Monrovia might be a good port to stop so they could fly out but we are unsure if Liberia is safe to sail into. If Monrovia isn't a good option, does anyone know of alternate port that might work for us. Any information would be very helpful.

Thank you!

rebel heart · 15-12-2010, 07:54

I just checked this: Liberia .Looks like the state department's general tone is "go there if you know what you're doing", but they're not really talking about private yacht owners. Noonsite.com doesn't have an entry on it, which is a bad sign.

I remember watching this last year, and it more than anything else made me terrified of the place:

The Vice Guide to Liberia - The Vice Guide to Travel | VBS.TV

**boatman61** · 15-12-2010, 08:04

Bit last minute but if you've the time make for Gambia... had friends (A few) who thought it was great, some are still there last I heard.

**atoll** · 15-12-2010, 08:34

gambia is fine,can anchor at half die,just be sure to lift your dingy and dont leave valuables lying around,ie any thing of value rope,flipflops etc.

also casamanch in senegal is ok,dakar at the yacht club anchorage is fine,avoid the main port if possible,will steal your dock lines and leave you tied up with bits of string.

most african ports,unless there is an active war going on are fine,you will be an object of curiousity more than any thing else,also most commercial ports you will be in side a guarded secure area,though would allways leave someone on board,generally if we needed a guard would have the port captain reccomend someone.

chrisjs · 16-12-2010, 06:05

I have a close British friend who has worked in Liberia for the past 20 years, including the civil war period. He is not in MI6!!! Apparently while it is relatively safe to travel in Liberia, one must have good local contacts before considering entering a Liberian port in order to avoid delays and unforeseen expenditure (bribes). To quote "the country has not yet made it back to being a tourist destination, more an adventure, a voyage of discovery". My friend suggest a good hotel in Monrovia is the Mamba Point Hotel - check Google. Last time I was personally in country was just after the war. There was no electricity, no food, and I lived on bananas for 2 weeks - sure lost a lot of weight!! I would not rush to go back!!
Chris

jomac · 16-12-2010, 06:49

Thank you so much for the information. It has been very helpful. I think Liberia doesn't sound like the greatest option. We have good wind now so are going to try to push it for the Cape Verde Islands. Thanks again for the help!

simonmd · 16-12-2010, 07:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by boatman61

Bit last minute but if you've the time make for Gambia... had friends (A few) who thought it was great, some are still there last I heard.

By choice?

**boatman61** · 16-12-2010, 07:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by simonmd

By choice?

Yup.... one couple (Swiss) loved it so much the 1mth planned turned into 18mths...

They were gonna sto there, then the Cap Verdes then Brazil...

**atoll** · 17-12-2010, 07:56

great cruising if you draw 5ft or less,you can go about 100miles up the gambia river,
we also went up the sini saloume river in senagal,fantastc bird life,crocodiles etc

port louis,dakar yacht club,and the casamanche delta have been long time favourites with the french cruisers.

as for the cape verdes porto da praia on santiago is your first port of entry when coming from the south,holding not wonderful,and watch out for the wreck on the western side of the anch.
otherwise rolly but safe,just watch out for petty theiving,lift off out board etc at night.
daily flights to ille do sal for international flights.

plenty of good cruising around the islands if you want more info

jomac · 17-12-2010, 08:08

Hi Atoll,

Thanks for the information. do you know if there are flights from Dakar to Cape Verde. Is there a local airline?

Thanks,

Jody

**atoll** · 17-12-2010, 08:53

flights from/to praia(rai) dakar flight vr8001
tacv (cape verde airlines)
mondays and fridays
£248 one way

found flights but very fully booked,other flights but via europe but expensive. direct flights to sal from joberg