ABC Islands to Cartagena - Routing suggestion
 

Hi Sailors!

End of April we will cross from Aruba to Cartagena. we're monitoring the wind situation, and, on the nautical chart found always strong wind out the 50/70 NM from the coast. We know it is a really rough sea area.

It seems more easy to go and made the first stop to Cabo de la Vela and then, quite close, make another one at Taganga bay before reach Cartagena.

The questions are:

It is possible to drop the anchor with yellow flag two nights before get the clearance? (we plan to make it at Cartagena).

We heard there are many dangerous debris out the mouth of Rio Magdalena and suggestion to stay away from it.

Many thanks in advance for your help.
Stefano

Re: ABC Islands to Cartagena - Routing suggestion
 

If it's any help here's the course we took to Cartegena. It was in late Nov, so a little easier at that time of year. It was a good fairly easy passage.
The course in blue was the direct route, but the stars are the two noon positions. You can see we sailed a fair way offshore.

https://lh6.ggpht.com/-sbqmoqDKMfs/VG...gif?imgmax=800

Re: ABC Islands to Cartagena - Routing suggestion
 

Thanks! What about the possibility to drop the anchor with yellow flag for one or two nights?

Re: ABC Islands to Cartagena - Routing suggestion
 

You'll find the coast is pretty well covered by the Colombian Navy. In most cases they allow a night's stay after boarding. If it was me, Id go straight through and only stop if the weather was cantankerous. Each port you clear in you need an.agent.

Re: ABC Islands to Cartagena - Routing suggestion
 

Thank you

Re: ABC Islands to Cartagena - Routing suggestion
 

As we did, plan your passage from Aruba so that you meet the outflow of Rio Magdalena in daylight hours. You can cross this area within the 12 hrs of daylight. The further you stay out, the less likely of any bumps.

Re: ABC Islands to Cartagena - Routing suggestion
 

We sailed through it, sure can't miss it that's for sure but really...no big deal whatsoever. Way more logs sailing around the Pacific NW ..

Re: ABC Islands to Cartagena - Routing suggestion
 

Loads of garbage, flotsam etc. We even saw a huge tree stump. Would have caused a commotion onboard had we hit it

Re: ABC Islands to Cartagena - Routing suggestion
 

Get off-shore out of the counter current that causes the big waves and further away from the pirates.