Morro do Sao Paolo : Profile

Location

This is a large estuary 30 miles south of Salvador de Bahia.

Docking

There are three good anchorages.

1) In a suitable depth just after passing the large ferry terminal of Morro do Sao Paolo, about 1/2 mile into the estuary. This can be subject to some swell in NE winds and there is a fair amount of passing boat traffic.

2) Off the village of Gamboa, about 3 miles into the estuary. Anchor in 7 metres in good holding of sand and mud. Beware of the very rapid shoaling towards the shore and the charter boat moorings.

3) A particulary calm anchorage is to be found amother 1/2 mile beyond Gamboa, at Curral.

The approach is straight forward, but going up to Gamboa is best done in daylight. Where the channel narrows, it deepens. The sand banks on the eastern side are steep-to, those to the west shelve more gradually and need watching.

The yacht club previously operating in Morro has been closed due to the large number of thefts. It is advisable to pay a minder when using a dinghy to visit the town. The is a rickety wooden jetty and bar on the site of the yacht club.

It is advisable to use a bright anchor light as the crowed school boats start before first light.

Last updated November 2009.

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