Explore: Recife
General Info
COVID-19: **OPEN**
- See Biosecurity for details of the latest yachting protocols.
- The Cabanga Yacht Club is providing the necessary entry protocols for pleasure vessels at this time.
Description:
This is a major port whose entrance is protected by a 3.2 km (two mile) long concrete breakwater. The city is threaded by many rivers and has a huge number of bridges.
Entrance Notes and Cautions:
The harbor entrance is most easily identified by the cargo ships which are often anchored outside the entrance. Once through the harbor entrance turn to port and follow along with the breakwater.
- The old Pernambuco Yacht Club (now closed) is to port after about 1.5m.
- The Iate Clube do Recife is also on the port side about another half mile further along.
- The Cabanga Yacht Club is further up the river on the starboard side by the bridge.
There is a risk of shark attacks in and around Recife and many public beaches have nets to prevent sharks from entering the swimming areas. Swimming at isolated beaches or in open water should be avoided.
Position:
08°2.56′S,34°51.24′W (harbor entrance)
Clearance
See Brazil Formalities for full details on clearing into and out of Brazil.
Follow the clearance procedures as soon as possible, as the marinas will have faxed the “Capitania” to inform them of your arrival. Checking in is straight forward and an easy walk from the center of old Recife.
Domestic Clearance
Checking in and out with the Policia Federal is necessary for every port.
International Clearance
From the water taxi dock, follow the main road with the river on your right-hand side, walk past a large stone Lion statue [8°03’28.4″S – 34°52’10.4″W].
- Immigration (Policia Federal)
The road bends left and a security fence starts on your right-hand side. Follow the fence to the security gate, show your passport to the guard and ask for the Federal Police. Their offices along with Customs are inside the security area. The guard will radio the Federal Police, and someone will lead you around the corner to the actual office. It is slow, but a free, easy and friendly process. - Customs (Receita Federas)
Retrace your steps back past the lion towards the center of town. Customs is at 8°03’16.5″S 34°52’05.0″W. - Port Captain (Capitania Dos Portos)
On your right hand side, one street back is the big impressive yellow government building for the Capitania Dos Portos. Report here for the final part of the check-in.
Clearing out
Simply follow the clearing in procedure in reverse order.
There are no fees for clearance.
Last updated: May 2020
Docking
Anchoring
Anchoring is only permitted in the designated area. Principally, this is in front of the Pernambuco Yacht Club in the mud. The current can be strong with lots of rubbish in the water and to get to the public dock in Recife Antigo involves navigating a very busy shipping channel.
Moorings
The Recife YC has both mooring buoys and berths.
Another option is the Cabanga Yacht Club. Here boats are moored between piles. The club can only be reached at high water and even then there is a draft restriction of 5 ft (1.6 m). While not formally marked with red and green markers, there are black sticks on either side of the channel. The marina offers a pilot service and can assist with clearance procedures. It has water and electricity, two swimming pools, two restaurants and many other facilities.
Last updated: May 2020
Related Businesses
Cabanga Yacht Club
Address: Av. Ang Jose Estelita s/n, Recife PE, Eastern Coast, Brazil,
Beware of water depth (now reported to be only 5ft at HW) as some areas dry. Advised to enter only during a daylight high tide.Moor... Read More
Iate Clube do Recife (Recife Yacht Club)
Address: R. Badejo, 4 - BrasÃlia Teimosa, Recife, Eastern Coast, Brazil,
Location 08 04.67' S, 034 52.60'W
Visitors buoys and berths are available. Water on the pontoon, fuel berth (cash only). Watch depth when approaching either. Good... Read More
Pernambuco Yacht Club (PIC)
Address: Recife, Eastern Coast, Brazil,
The yacht club is now closed, however, it is possible to anchor next to the jetty in 9m mud, good holding. This location is close... Read More
Yacht Clubs
Related Businesses
Cabanga Yacht Club
Address: Av. Ang Jose Estelita s/n, Recife PE, Eastern Coast, Brazil,
Beware of water depth (now reported to be only 5ft at HW) as some areas dry. Advised to enter only during a daylight high tide.Moor... Read More
Iate Clube do Recife (Recife Yacht Club)
Address: R. Badejo, 4 - BrasÃlia Teimosa, Recife, Eastern Coast, Brazil,
Location 08 04.67' S, 034 52.60'W
Visitors buoys and berths are available. Water on the pontoon, fuel berth (cash only). Watch depth when approaching either. Good... Read More
Pernambuco Yacht Club (PIC)
Address: Recife, Eastern Coast, Brazil,
The yacht club is now closed, however, it is possible to anchor next to the jetty in 9m mud, good holding. This location is close... Read More
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