Passage: Ilha Lençois to Belém

Green Coco Sailing

One of the attractions of Ilha Lençois for cruisers is how easy it is to arrive— any tide, wide deep channels. However on time to depart it’s a little more tricky if the wind (E) is strong, because you need to head ENE for 6+ miles to get around the reefs before going to sea. The wind goes against the current so it can get really choppy and rough. Luckily we left with wind 10kts , even then with counter current took up over 1.5-2hrs to get to sea properly. After that it was smooth sailing to Belem with the ENE 15kt breeze. The approach to Belem is complicated by the currents. Ideally you’ll have a low tide early morning with a tidal flood (as we did) to get a boost from the current because it’s a real long way , about 50nm, from the mouth of Rio Para to Belem. If you don’t get this lucky timing you may want to find some anchorages to stop over, otherwise you’ll be fighting the 1.5-2.5kt outgoing current which also goes against the wind, which veers into the bay (NE wind ) and accelerates a bit.

Boat & Crew

Nesi

Fountaine Pajot, Eleuthera60

Green Coco Sailing

Owner