Sailing the Coasts of Africa

Africa's coastlines extend for over 16,000 miles. With a sailboat there are over 16,000 miles of coastline to cruise and explore. Stretching from south of the equator to north of it, Africa is the only continent to do this, and have unique climates. The climate is close to that of a desert and has arid air, and the north is subarctic. The south however is tropical, with both savanna plains and dense jungle rainforests. The coastlines vary depending on if the cruising location is in the north or south, but all these coastlines have amazing local villages and are bursting with culture and life. Thousands of miles of coastline are begging to be sailed including places like Morocco, South Africa, and Madagascar.

In Africa, on the North West side, is the small country of Morocco. Most will recognize the name of Morocco’s largest city, Casablanca. Stay at the docks in this famous city and enjoy the life of the people. Visit the local bazaar and pick up a few unique and special souvenirs or boat parts if need be. Moroccan cuisine is actually considered one of the most diversified cuisines in the world. The influence of countries nearby such as Spain, Portugal, and the Mediterranean countries has definitely had an affect on this. Beware though, spicy foods happens to be one of their specialties. There are dozens of other harbors along the coastline, including amazing beaches with plenty of snorkeling potential.

When it comes to sailing the Southern region of Africa, there is definitely no better place to visit than South Africa. In Africa, the most popular tourist destination is Cape Town, South Africa, surpassing even Cairo, Egypt in popularity. A well developed city structure and a great climate are just a few of the aspects Cape Town possesses. Due to the unique geography of the city, there are numerous beaches to visit and all in close distance. Drop boat anchor off the coast of these gorgeous beaches and take part in activities such as diving and especially surfing. Boulders Beach is well known for its colony of African penguins that frequent the area. The beaches which are located on the Atlantic Ocean side tend to have cold water, but the waters off the coast of False bay are much warmer, by up to even 18 degrees Fahrenheit.

The island of Madagascar is located only 250 miles east of continental Africa. Year round thermal winds and amazing waters are just the beginning in Madagascar. Water temperatures here actually range well into 86 degrees Fahrenheit; most of the year the waters are warm in the 75 degree Fahrenheit range. The broad coral reefs hide many different tropical fish, including several rainbow-colored fish. There are beaches that stretch for miles and it’s relatively easy to anchor and explore the mainland. Sit down and fish from a sailboat, or take a snorkeling trip to visit the coral reefs. Most wildlife is indigenous to Madagascar considering its separation from the African mainland, which leaves no shortage of fasinating wildlife to see there.

The continent's rich diversity and excellent sailing prospects can be found along the coasts of Morocco, South Africa, and Madagascar just to start with. There are so many miles of coastline to cruise along, that it would be impossible to get bored. It could even be considered a worthy adventure to circumvent all of Africa to get the full exposure of these rich and beautiful shores. Stock up on boat supplies and get ready for some good weather, a decent amount of sun, and warm waters; Africa is definitely a great location to check out for cruising potential.