Cruising yachts can now enter South Africa via Mossel Bay, which is now a fully-fledged Port of Entry, the Ocean Sailing Association of Southern Africa reports in its latest newsletter.

“This means that you can stamp in at Mossel Bay,” OSASA says. “There are berths available, and if they are booked up, you are welcome to anchor in the bay just outside the harbour mouth.”

The ‘return’ of Mossel Bay marks a historical ‘full circle’, as the anchorage was used by Bartholomew Dias when he famously went ashore in 1488, much to the annoyance of local herders, OSASA said. “This was the first landing of a European in what is today South Africa. In 1988, a replica caravel was sailed from Portugal to Mossel Bay in commemoration of the 500th anniversary of Dias’s voyage.”

Sign In

Register

Reset Password

Please enter your username or email address, you will receive a link to create a new password via email.