The number of cruising boats visiting South Africa has increased substantially over the last few years and it has become a popular country to visit with circumnavigating cruisers and world rallies. The Ocean Sailing Association of Southern Africa (OSASA) is working hard on behalf of cruising sailors to keep bureaucracy to a minimum and advise visiting sailors to familiarise themselves with clearance and formalities requirements in advance, to avoid unnecessary delays.

Meteorological Services in New Zealand and Fiji have released their Tropical Cyclone outlooks for the 2026/2027 season and both organisations are predicting increased Tropical Cyclone activity. The forecasts were released at the same time as the Cook Islands braces for Tropical Cyclone Wati, the first named cyclone of the season which formed two weeks before the official season start on November 1, 2026.

With the South Pacific Tropical Cyclone season officially beginning on November 1, the optimum passage window to head to New Zealand and Australia from the South Pacific is officially open. Cruisers will have been watching the weather for weeks, waiting for this critical mid-October to mid-November timeframe to make their move. Retired New Zealand sailor John Manning reflects on the time he joined a delivery crew to make the passage from Fiji to New Zealand.

After crossing from the African country of Liberia where sailing yacht Rebels became the first yacht to anchor in its waters in recent maritime history, co-captain Elena Levon recounts their crossing through the central Gulf of Guinea to Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe, a transit through one of the most dangerous maritime regions on earth.

Applying for an Australian tourist visa while cruising through the South Pacific presents unique administrative and logistical challenges. For the crew of the US-flagged vessel Sugar Shack, what seemed like a straightforward application for a 12-month Tourist Visa turned into an eye-opening journey through health clearances, medical panel logistics, strict entry conditions and subsequent disappointment.

A new research paper proposes using underwater acoustic monitoring and artificial intelligence to provide vessels with real-time information about the presence of Iberian orcas in the Strait of Gibraltar.

After a record-breaking 2025 and the second-highest biomass year on record in 2026, significant quantities of floating weed remain across parts of the Caribbean and western Atlantic. Our latest update explains what to expect, how it can affect yachts, and where to check current forecasts.

The security situation around the Bab el-Mandeb has changed significantly in recent weeks. With the 2026/27 Red Sea transit season approaching, what happened during last season’s crossings may no longer reflect the situation yachts will encounter this year. If you’re considering a Red Sea transit, read our latest update and monitor developments closely.

Thailand is replacing its 60-day visa exemption with a shorter, restructured system effective September 15, 2026, including a new 30-day exemption, a reduced Visa on Arrival list and new land-border entry caps, to ensure that travel facilitation for foreign tourists reflects the current circumstance, prevents misuse of visa privileges and adheres to the principle of “one country, one entitlement.”