World ARC Leg 23 – Richards Bay, South Africa to Cape Town

Skipper: Svante Jacobsson, 930 NM

This leg is an independent cruising segment of the World ARC, offering both adventure and the experience of South Africa’s scenic coastlines and vibrant culture. This journey offers an incredible mix of exciting, challenging sailing and the chance to explore the best of South Africa. We’ll round Cape Agulhas and the iconic Cape of Good Hope, concluding with a few days in Cape Town. The Cape of Good Hope is one of the legendary Four Capes that all sailors aspire to conquer.

The leg begins in Richards Bay, a large port on South Africa’s east coast, where the Mhlatuze River meets the Indian Ocean. We’ll have a few days to explore Richards Bay while preparing the boat for the 930-nautical-mile voyage to Cape Town. We will have a thorough safety briefing before we depart.

The first segment takes us to Durban, where we’ll set sail early to reach the port before sunset. After a few days in Durban, we’ll continue down the coast, planning stops at East London, Port Elizabeth, Knysna, and Simon’s Town. Depending on weather conditions, the exact itinerary and ports may vary, with each segment ranging from 50 to 250 nautical miles, typically taking 1-2 days. At each stop, we plan to spend ample time exploring local attractions. South Africa’s weather patterns are unpredictable, which may affect the length of our stay at each port. Even in summer, we’ll need to watch weather systems closely and navigate the powerful south-westerly Agulhas current as we travel along the coast.

A highlight of this journey is rounding Cape Agulhas and the Cape of Good Hope – an unforgettable accomplishment. Approaching Cape Town, you’ll experience the dramatic scenery of beaches and mountainous landscapes, including the iconic Table Mountain.

Planned stops along the route include:
_Durban_– South Africa’s “Surf City” and year-round playground, famous for its warm weather, beautiful surfing beaches, and vibrant waterfront from Durban Harbour to Umhlanga.
_East London_– Formerly Port Rex, featuring stunning beaches like Nahoon Beach, Hemingways Mall, and the scenic Nahoon Nature Reserve.
_Port Elizabeth_– Known for its beautiful beaches, unique museums, renowned wildlife destinations, and welcoming locals. Aptly called the “Friendly City.”
_Knysn_ – One of the Garden Route’s most popular spots, famous for oysters and seahorses, located on a glistening lagoon between the Outeniqua Mountains and the Indian Ocean. This destination is weather-dependent.
Other alternative stops may include Mossel Bay, Hout Bay, or Pringle Bay.

We aim to arrive in Cape Town with enough time to spend 3-4 days exploring the city and surrounding areas. There will be opportunities for a wine tour or a hike up Table Mountain. We depart _Celeste_ in time for the Christmas holiday.