Mafia Island

Our first stop after Dar es Salaam was a 135nm sail to Mafia Island to swim with the Whale Sharks

Kilwa Island

The next stop was 125nm sail down the Tanzanian coast to the historic ruins of Kilwa

Mtwara

The final leg down the coast of Tanzania was to Mtwara. We met up with a few other yachties that started to congregate here in preparation for the next passage to South Africa. While we gathered provisions and waited for a good weather window, we explored our delightful surroundings.

Tanzania to South Africa Sailing Passage

The general consensus amongst Indian Ocean cruisers is that the Mozambique Channel is the most technically challenging. This stretch of water has extreme currents, short weather windows between the seasonal southern systems and limited places to stop enroute due to Madagascar’s boarder closures and Mozambique’s corrupt officials (only “emergency” stops are recommended). We made the 1474nm passage from Tanzania to South Africa with a brief stop in Bazaruto, Mozambique where we waited for a low-pressure system to pass.

Safe arrival in Richard’s Bay, South Africa was reason to celebrate. Martin is back in his homeland and only 90nm from Durban and the completion of his global sailing circumnavigation.

At Zululand Yacht club we will haul Shenemere and spend a few weeks painting, fixing and preparing for our next major passage across the Atlantic Ocean next year.