Cabedelo : Profile

Location

Cabedelo is approximately 100MN south of Natal where the Rio Paraiba enters the sea. Entry is possible day or night, as the channel is well marked. It is a good place to leave the boat if exploring the interior. It is also a useful arrival/departure point being the most easterly port in South America.

Position 6°57.44’S, 34°50.5’W.

Clearance

Clearance should be completed within two working days of arrival. The order in which you visit the various officials is important, otherwise, you might have a wasted journey. If one is not available, just return the next day.

Visit Immigration (Federal Police) first, followed by the Customs (Alfandega) with the ships’papers and the document provided by the police, then the Port Authority with all the papers presented and provided so far. Finally, with all the documentation previously accumulated plus any vaccination documents, the Health Authorities (Vigilancia Sanitaria).

There is a marina close to Joao Pessoa, capital of Paraíba state. The police visit the marina every day and one can drive with them to check in at Cabedelo where there is also a customs office and the port captain's office. This is in front of the harbour entrance in Cabedelo.

If Jacare is your first port of call, take the train from the station next to Jacare Wharf to Cabedello (20 minutes). It is now possible to complete all the formalities at the harbour.

Normally you will be granted a 90 day visa which can be extended for another 90 days, but be sure to get the extension before the initial 90 days expires as there is a fine for each day otherwise.

Last updated June 2010.

Docking

This coast is fringed by reefs, so it is important to make for the outer buoy of the approach channel. Once inside the harbour, keep close to the quay, after which, move to the centre of the river Paraiba. There is a shoal in front of Favella and anchoring near here is not recommended.

Jacare

It is best to proceed up the river to Jacare, but beware of the many shoals and strong currents. It is advisable not to use a "danforth" type anchor as it can more easily be tripped when the tide turns. Beware of the unlit fishing nets strung across the river.

At Jacare, yachts can anchor in front of the "yacht club" or Cabedelo Nautica - a local shipyard run by Brian Stevens for the last 20 years. Although the "yacht club" is no longer a club, dinghies can be left here during the week.

Frenchman, Phillipe Fessard, has now opened Jacare Yacht Village, which has improved the facilities here for cruising yachts, although reports indicate that the standard of facilities is poor.

Everywhere in Jacare noise can be a problem with loud music all night from one or more establishments holding private parties. A quieter alternative is Ribeira, a very small and tranquil fishing village with no food shops.

Ribeira

Luciano and his wife Concieta, local Brazilians, opened the small marina "Ribeira Adventure Club" in March 2010 on the other side of Stuart Island. Still in the early phases of development, prices are reported to be cheap and facilities basic but adequate. Care should be taken as there are sandbanks on the way to Ribeira.

Last updated July 2010.

Jacare Yacht Village (Fessard Marina)
Praia do Jacare
Tel:+55 83 32 48 36 38
www.marina-jacare-village.com, philippefessard@yahoo.fr
This small marina has 40 berths with water,electricity, toilets and showers. Diesel (delivered for a surcharge), scrubbing area, bar, restaurant, laundry, WiFi, and pool. Haul-out and secure shore storage facility. Useful website with local information.

Ribeira Adventure Club
Ribeira, Santa Rita, Paraiba
Tel:+55 83 9601.8798
lucianozinn@hotmail.com
Bow-to and Stern-to moorings for about 10 boats plus anchor space. Water, electricity and internet use available. Drinks and tapas at Luciano’s small bar. Speaks Spanish and English. Regular water taxis at 2R/S pp from your boat to Jacare.

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