Navigating from the south

Access to the harbor is more picturesque when coming from the south. However, one should be aware of the anchoring area to the south ofSan Sebastián, which lies directly across the channel from Ilhabela. Give the freighters a wide berth since the winds in the channel can be unpredictable and the ships can swing over a large area. Additionally, the ferries run 24 hrs a day from San Sebastián. (Incidentally, the ferries are free for pedestrians).

The best mooring option is the Yacht Club of Ilhabela (YCI)  (www.yci.com.br), with Pinda Iate Clube as an option, a little further south.

Note: It is forbidden to enter the area around the Ilha de Alcatrazes, which is about 30 nm south of Ilhabela. The approximate position of Ilha de Alcatrazes  is 24° 05” S, 45° 40” W. (see image right from Omar Sanchez). There is limited access but only for duly registered boats carrying tourists.

Mooring

It is advisable to call the yacht club requesting a mooring buoy 15 minutes before arrival.

Call YCI “Delta 24” on Ch 68 or 69 or Pinda Yacht Club “Delta 56” on Ch 68 who will often then change to Ch 69.

Note: Use the local dialect by saying “meia oito” or meia nove” instead of “sessente y oito” or “sessente y nove”

The YCI has buoys with a rope on the top but they are not for mooring. They are, in fact, marking the mussel ropes which hang below. Some of these can weigh up to 20 tons.

The mooring buoys are checked every six hours by the marineros and they will make adjustments to the lines or contact the yacht captain if necessary. They do so regardless of the sea conditions, much to their credit.

The YCI (see photo left from Omar Sanchez) offers a boat taxi service to bring you from your yacht to the dock situated to the south of the yacht club.

Close to the Pinda Club (http://www.pindaiateclube.org.br) there is an area marked by yellow buoys, it is a prohibited anchoring zone because of the high voltage cables on the sea bed that feed the island.

Arrival Procedures

The yacht club will ferry you from your yacht using their own boats to a dock just to the south of the yacht club.

On arrival the ships papers, customs and passports or ID of the crew must be presented to the admission office (see image right from Omar Sanchez) who will request a photocopy of everything, which can be done at the club’s headquarters. It is less complicated if you have photocopies with you. Each crew member is then given a magnetic card that allows access to different sectors of the club. The card must be returned on the last day of his/her stay.

Formalities

If you have to visit the police with your paperwork you should not go to the offices in downtown San Sebastián but to the Federal Police (NEPON) who are located inside the commercial port about 200 meters from the ferry station. The Prefecture is in a large building about 400m from the entrance to the ferry station. You will probably have to take a bus to get to the ferry station.

Yacht Club Facilities

Visitors can use the top-class facilities including the wifi and a splendid gym. The showers are generous, but I recommend turning on the ceiling fans to keep the Barrachudos (black flies) at bay.

The first 5 days on the mooring buoys are free and it is possible to extend  that by one more day in the event of bad weather. There is a daily charge thereafter.

Visitors can take their boats to the marina for a maximum of 2 hours a day to gain access to the services there. Note that there only two hoses which supply drinking water.

Fuel and Water

The fuel station (see image right from Omar Sanchez) can be accessed from inside or outside of the club. It closes at 6 pm, accepts cards and most importantly, has the Verana diesel, the Petrobras special, which is very superior and free of contaminants and water!

The station offers fuels, some filters and spare parts, a small shop and has containers for waste fuels and containers for solids. Drinking water is charged but only a few Reais (local money) for every 10 minutes use of the hose, which has excellent pressure.

If you arrive during working hours it’s a good idea to tie up at the station, fill up with fuel and water and then request a mooring. A dinghy from the yacht club will take you to the mooring buoy and will help in securing it.

Environment

The YCI has started a strong campaign in favor of ecology and taking care of garbage management. They do not want to repeat the errors of other places (Sau de Ceu) that caused irreparable damage to the waters.

The Borrachudo is a black fly (of the family simuliidae). It is diurnal, doesn’t make any noise when flying and generates an annoying bite that should not be scratched. Applying ice gives the best results to calm the itching but which will be reactivated if rubbed or scratched again. Long sleeve tops and trousers are recommended together with regular applications of DEET.

Other Facilities

Close to the yacht club, there are sail-makers, a rigging service, mechanics, chandleries, etc. There is also a bus service to the shopping center and ferry station. Near the ferry station, there is a large North Sails loft..

A few blocks away is the historic center, with various souvenir shops and a supermarket.

When the cruise ships leave, 50% off posters miraculously appear !!

The banks offer unfavorable exchange rates. There are many ATMs.

The laundry is very expensive.

Restaurants

Max Paladar is recommended. It is a long walk or you can take a bus but it is worth visiting and is charged at “food per kilo”, but it only opens at noon.

Near the yacht clubs, there is a wide variety of restaurants for all tastes and budgets.

Omar Sanchez