panama

FLORIDA TO PANAMA

FLORIDA TO PANAMA

FLORIDA TO PANAMA VIA THE WINDWARD PASSAGE

  1. Distance: Approximately 1,300–1,500 nautical miles, depending on stops.
  2. Sailing Time: 12–18 days non-stop, but most cruisers spend several weeks exploring.
  3. Best Season: November to May (Caribbean dry season, avoiding hurricane risks).

Key Waypoints and Recommended Stops

1. Bahamas

  • Route Options: Cross the Gulf Stream from Fort Lauderdale to Bimini or sail to Grand Bahama (West End) as your first stop.
  • Highlights:
    • Bimini: Gateway to the Bahamas, with crystal-clear waters.
    • Exumas: Stunning chain of islands with protected anchorages and excellent snorkeling.
    • Georgetown (Great Exuma): A cruiser hub for provisioning and socializing.
  • Navigation Note: Shallow waters and coral reefs require careful planning and daylight navigation.

2. Turks and Caicos

  • Why Stop: Providenciales offers great provisioning and marina facilities, while the surrounding waters boast incredible diving and fishing.
  • Anchorages: Sapodilla Bay (calm and protected).
  • Tip: Check customs and immigration requirements for stopping here.

3. The Windward Passage (Between Cuba and Haiti)

  • Why Sail This Route:
    • Offers a direct and open-water route to the western Caribbean.
    • Favorable NE trade winds often provide a beam reach or downwind sailing.
  • Navigation Note:
    • The Windward Passage is wide and deep, but currents and winds can funnel through, causing rough seas in adverse weather.
    • Timing your passage with settled conditions is key.

4. Jamaica (Optional Stop)

  • Key Ports: Port Antonio (Errol Flynn Marina) or Montego Bay.
  • Why Stop: Jamaica offers a mix of vibrant culture, beautiful landscapes, and secure marinas.
  • Tip: Port Antonio is particularly cruiser-friendly and a good place to rest and refuel.

5. Cayman Islands (Optional Stop)

  • Why Stop: Grand Cayman is a great place for provisioning, diving, and resting in protected anchorages like Seven Mile Beach.
  • Navigation Note: Anchorages can be exposed to northerlies, so plan accordingly.

6. Providencia or San Andrés (Colombia)

  • Why Stop: These islands are gems of the Caribbean with friendly locals, calm anchorages, and excellent snorkeling.
  • Tips:
    • Providencia is quieter and more laid-back.
    • San Andrés is better for provisioning and fuel.

7. Bocas del Toro, Panama

  • Why Stop: A cruiser favorite for its protected waters, vibrant culture, and nearby provisioning. Bocas also serves as a great staging area for preparing to approach the Panama Canal.

Key Considerations

  • Weather:
    • NE trade winds dominate; you’ll likely enjoy consistent downwind or beam-reach sailing.
    • Watch for cold fronts coming off the U.S. that can affect the Windward Passage and surrounding areas.
  • Currents:
    • The Gulf Stream runs northward and must be crossed carefully from Fort Lauderdale.
    • The Windward Passage has strong currents; timing your passage is crucial.
  • Customs and Immigration:
    • Check entry requirements for the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica, and the Cayman Islands. Each country has different procedures for arriving yachts.
  • Fuel and Provisioning:
    • Stock up in major ports like Nassau, Georgetown (Exumas), or Providenciales.
    • Fuel may be limited or expensive in smaller islands.

























































































































































































































































































































































































































































































FLORIDA TO PANAMA VIA THE YUCATAN CHANNEL / AKA  AGAINST THE GULFSTREAM

Route Overview

  1. Distance: Approximately 1,200-1,400 nautical miles, depending on the route and stops.
  2. Sailing Time: 10–14 days of continuous sailing, though most cruisers take 4–6 weeks or more to enjoy stops along the way.
  3. Best Season: November to May (dry season in the Caribbean) to avoid hurricane risks and enjoy favorable trade winds.

Key Waypoints and Recommended Stops

1. Biscayne Bay, Miami, FL

  • Why Stop: Explore vibrant Miami and provision in a well-stocked city. Biscayne Bay offers a protected anchorage.
  • Activities: Visit South Beach, the art deco district, and local marine supply stores.
  • Tip: Avoid the busy shipping channels around Miami.

2. Florida Keys

  • Marinas and Anchorages: Key Largo, Marathon (Boot Key Harbor), and Key West.
  • Why Stop: Experience the laid-back atmosphere, excellent snorkeling, and fishing.
  • Navigation Note: Shallow waters require careful charting.

3. Dry Tortugas, FL

  • Why Stop: Remote and stunning national park with pristine beaches, snorkeling, and historical Fort Jefferson.
  • Provisioning: Limited; ensure you’re well-stocked.
  • Navigation Note: Anchorages can be rolly; watch for weather.

4. Isla Mujeres, Mexico

  • Why Stop: A great international port of entry with vibrant local culture, clear waters, and a popular yacht destination.
  • Tip: Ensure all paperwork for clearing into Mexico is ready in advance.

5. Belize Barrier Reef

  • Why Stop: Explore the world’s second-largest barrier reef, with stunning coral islands like Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker.
  • Navigation Note: Reef navigation requires caution and good daylight.

6. Rio Dulce, Guatemala (Optional Detour)

  • Why Stop: A unique inland river experience with protected anchorages and lush jungle surroundings.
  • Tip: The entry through Livingston requires careful timing due to shallow depths.

7. Bay Islands, Honduras

  • Key Stops: Roatán, Utila, and Guanaja.
  • Why Stop: Excellent diving and vibrant local culture.
  • Navigation Note: Monitor local weather and safety conditions.

8. Providencia or San Andrés (Colombia)

  • Why Stop: Quaint islands with a mix of Colombian and Caribbean charm. Friendly locals and stunning waters.
  • Tip: Ideal for provisioning and enjoying shore leave.

9. Bocas del Toro, Panama

  • Why Stop: A cruiser-friendly haven with vibrant expat communities, calm waters, and nearby provisioning.
  • Tip: Use this as a base for staging before heading toward the Panama Canal.

Approaching the Panama Canal

  • Balboa or Colón: Two key entry points for the Panama Canal.
  • Shelter Bay Marina (near Colón): A popular choice for preparing to transit the canal. Offers good facilities, provisioning, and access to canal agents.
  • Panama City: If entering from the Pacific side, La Playita Marina or Flamenco Marina are excellent staging points.

Key Considerations

  • Weather: Monitor the Caribbean trade winds (typically NE) and avoid adverse conditions such as strong northerlies in the Yucatán Channel.
  • Paperwork: Ensure up-to-date documentation, including passports, vessel registration, insurance, and any required cruising permits.
  • Fuel and Provisioning: Stock up in larger ports like Fort Lauderdale, Key West, or Isla Mujeres, as supplies can be limited and costly in smaller stops.

by admin

bay of panama

BAY OF PANAMA

BAY OF PANAMA and PUNTA MALA

The Bay of Panama and Punta Mala present a fascinating yet challenging region for sailors,  This area—an essential route for many cruisers heading towards the Panama Canal— has weather, tidal shifts and associated  currents as navigational hazards.

Geographical Context

The Bay of Panama is a broad expanse of water on the Pacific side of Panama, stretching over  105 miles  from Punta Mala in the west to the Pearl Islands and the Canal Zone in the east. Punta Mala, translating to “Bad Point,” serves as a formidable gateway, marking the southern entrance to the bay. Its name is not without reason; Punta Mala is notorious for strong currents, unpredictable winds, and choppy seas.

The transition through this region is often influenced by the interplay of oceanic and atmospheric conditions unique to the area. The convergence of the Humboldt and Panama currents contributes to the dynamic environment, creating conditions that can change rapidly.

Weather Patterns

Weather is the dominant factor shaping any voyage into the Bay of Panama and around Punta Mala. Understanding its seasonal patterns is crucial for a safe and efficient passage.

  1. The Dry Season (December to April):
    • Also known as the “Trade Wind Season,” this period is characterized by strong northerly winds (known locally as “Papagayo winds”), which funnel down the Isthmus of Panama and into the bay.
    • These winds can reach 20-30 knots, often accompanied by steep waves and short intervals, making the waters around Punta Mala particularly rough.
    • Clear skies and lower humidity are typical, but the winds demand careful sail management and vigilant navigation.
  2. The Wet Season (May to November):
    • The region experiences heavy rains, high humidity, and lighter, more variable winds during this time.
    • Thunderstorms are frequent, bringing squalls with sudden wind shifts and downpours that can reduce visibility.
    • Currents are less predictable, often influenced by runoff from Panama’s rivers and the seasonal rains.
  3. Transition Periods:
    • The periods between seasons can bring erratic weather patterns, combining elements of both the dry and wet seasons.
    • These transitions often pose challenges for less experienced sailors.

Navigational Hazards

Navigating the Bay of Panama and Punta Mala requires a keen eye and a good grasp of local conditions:

  1. Currents:
    • The currents in this region can be powerful, with speeds exceeding 4 knots around Punta Mala.
    • These currents often oppose prevailing winds, creating steep and confused seas that can challenge even experienced mariners.
  2. Tides:
    • Panama has some of the largest tidal ranges in the Pacific, reaching up to 20 feet (6 meters) in the Bay of Panama.
    • Timing passages around Punta Mala with the tides can significantly improve comfort and safety.
  3. Shoals and Reefs:
    • Unmarked shoals and reefs, particularly near the Pearl Islands, can pose risks to navigation.
    • Updated charts and reliable GPS systems are indispensable tools for avoiding these hazards.
  4. Marine Traffic:
    • The approach to the Panama Canal is one of the busiest maritime zones in the world.
    • Large vessels, including container ships and tankers, dominate the shipping lanes, necessitating constant vigilance and adherence to international navigation rules.

Sailing Around Punta Mala

  1. Timing:
    • Timing your approach is key. Aim to pass Punta Mala at slack tide to minimize the effects of currents.
    • Night passages can be advantageous due to calmer winds, but ensure you have the experience and equipment necessary for safe nighttime navigation.

    Tides and Currents

    The tidal currents  set north and south throughout the Canal de la Mona and are  UNPREDICTABLE!
    A current   of about 1-knot for the northerly and southerly currents in the Mona. In summer, when the trade wind has slackened and blows more from the east and east/southeast, a strong counter-current sets east off the southern coast of Hispaniola.

    SWELL AND WAVES 

  2. Sail Handling:
    • Reef sails early to prepare for sudden gusts or squalls.
    • Use heavier sails if available, as they can withstand the stress of choppy conditions better.
  3. Engine Use:
    • Many sailors rely on their engine to help power through the strong currents around Punta Mala. Ensure your engine is well-maintained and that you have sufficient fuel reserves.

Final Approach to the Panama Canal

As you near the Panama Canal, maritime traffic increases significantly. Following these tips will help ensure a smooth transition:

  1. Communications:
    • Monitor VHF channel 16 and designated traffic channels for instructions from the Panama Canal Authority.
  2. Anchorage Options:
    • Popular pre-canal anchorages include La Playita and Balboa Yacht Club. These areas offer services and provisioning opportunities.
  3. Documentation:
    • Have all necessary documentation prepared for canal transit, including proof of insurance and crew passports.

by admin

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