South Africa, Cape Town to Thailand

Created by doina. Last modified on 2008-05-15 12:23:20
Contributors:
Topic: Indian Ocean
Countries: South Africa

I have your World Cruising Routes 5th edition; however, I am looking for info on Sailing a 15 ton catamaran from Cape Town to Thailand. Could you give me a little heads up on getting around the Good Hope Cape to Durban. Once I get there I think I can get the rest of the way.

I do deal with the subject on page 536 or thereabouts.

Your first hurdle is getting from CT to Durban, and that you can best do in easy stages and with a good forecast. I presume that you plan to sail the rest of the way during the safe season!

Going NE from Durban or Richards Bay - the direct route is probably the best... The traditional way would be to sail up the coast of Africa, wait for the SW monsoon (May to October) and cross the N Indian Ocean with it. There are various weather considerations in the N Indian Ocean, which I mention in my book.

The other alternative is to also take the route via the Mozambique Channel but then head for the Maldives (possibly via Seychelles) and make it to Thailand that way.

Neither alternative will make for an easy passage, but with good planning ... and a bit of good luck you should be ok.

Jimmy Cornell