Rio Dulce Cruise

[Dual Dreams]

Hey all again. Just posted on the Navigation section, then thought it should go here. Couldn't move it so I'm starting again here. We're on a 42' twin engine trawler 840 mile range, have lived on board since 2004 (15,000) miles. We are looking at trying a trip to Rio Dulce and are looking for any advice/info/experiences we can get.

[AnchorageGuy]

While we did our trip on our former sailboat, we were with several trawlers that also made the jaunt from the Florida Keys to the Rio Dulce. There would be no difference in the planning and execution other than maybe a closer eye on the weather. The details are all on our Sea Trek site under the Cruising category if you are interested. Our approach was a bit different since we went west from Key West until we were north of Isla Mujeras and then turned south. We avoided most of the currents and did not have to deal with the Florida Straits or the Yucatan Current. We did motor almost the entire way because of the lack of wind. For us it was 3 1/2 days, so you should be able to do it much faster. Our trip to Isla was about 350 miles. Chuck

[defever]

we've made the trip to the rio several times from florida and many times from belize where we lived aboard for a yr. assuming you leave from florida, i'd recommend the following:

get fraya rousher's cruising guide as a 1st step..it's quite accurate and has alot of good info (caulder's guide is o.k. too)..reading this will really get your juices going and will prepare you for the trip. we head to isla mujeres mex. from either key west or the dry tortugas. we travel at 7 kts. and the trip is about 40 hrs. or so. once in isla we tie up at marina pariaso and have them do the paperwork. isla is also a funky place to hang out and recharge after the trip down. leaving isla we go to hut point the 1st day and go in thru the reef to the anchorage. it's a comfy spot since the reef breaks any waves (try to stay away from the little resort there because they do like to run around in their speedboats).. from there go to puerto aventuras and tie up---it's not expensive like many guidebooks say--. we like to travel close to the reef on the way down in about 50 ft of water and a few hundred yds off the reef to pick up a slight countercurrent (otherwise , further out, you'll be going into a 2 knot north current)...after puert aventuras we go to the 1st big bay and anchor (can't remember the names now) then to the 2nd bay. the next stop for us is banco chinchorro (a very pretty attol---nice anchorage) then finally checking out of xcalac near the belize border.

if you want to go straight down to belize from isla it'll take awhile due to distance and current...we always recommend the slow route---lots to see and do on the way down..you'll check into belize at san pedro on ambergris cay and explore the cays on the way south..you'll want to check out of the country either at placencia (big creek) or punta gorda

after arriving at livingston in the rio dulce you'll want to contact raul so he can handle all the paperwork. good idea to arrive there early and keep someone aboard for security reasons and get up the rio into a safe anchorage by nightfall (texan bay would be a good spot)..the rio is one of the most magnificent rivers in the world and is a real treat.

i'd suggest looking at riodulcechisme.com for great info about the river, security and just stuff...i'm jealous of you're going there and know you'll love the trip and especially th river..by the way, if you're going in the summer, best to have a reservation at one of the many marinas since they fill up fast.. have fun/be safe

[Dual Dreams]

Wow! So much info so fast. I love this site. That's all we will be some decision making soon, so wish us luck. I can't wait.