General Information

Being on the open sea is a unique experience and part of the adventure that our trips provide. It is normal that people may have some concerns about taking the sailboats, along with discouragement from our competitors, so this section is intended to shed some light on the open sea crossing.

The open sea crossing can take between 25 and 50 hours depending on the season, changes in weather, and the direction you are traveling. Certain times of the year the sea tends to be choppier and larger and during other months it is much calmer. The boats do not generally stop during the crossing so this time is usually spent relaxing, fishing, looking for dolphins and whales, playing cards, reading, listening to music, getting to know each other, and sleeping. As with any motion sickness, it is normal that some people will get seasick while others will not be affected. There are ways to manage it better (fresh air, staying hydrated, lying flat on your back) and common brands of seasickness medication you can buy before the trip if you are concerned.

Traveling by sailboat is the safer and more interesting way to travel. There is a misconception that the open sea is dangerous, and while there is a certain amount of risk with any adventure travel, the open sea crossing is quite safe. It is actually much less risky than taking a crowded speedboat in rough seas close to shore. Sailboats are designed for offshore navigation and they handle sea conditions much better than smaller motorboats. Shallow waters closer to shore pose more potential risk for boats as there are reef systems that need to be watched out for and the waves can break in shallow waters.

Cartagena and Panama are below the hurricane belt and fortunately, we have never had to worry about them. From July to November, it’s normal to experience small localized storms that bring a strong gust of wind and rain that usually passes within an hour or so. These squalls that come through can be quite exciting but the crews are all licensed and experienced in dealing with these events.

In the unlikely event that you do run into any problems at sea, all the boats we work with are fully equipped with all the safety gear needed to handle an emergency situation. They are inspected annually and meet all safety requirements of Colombian Port Authorities.

Each boat is required to have on board a VHF radio, Epirb, SAT phone or SSB radio, GPS spot, multiple GPS navigation devices, digital and paper charts, sufficient life jackets, life rings, life rafts, fire extinguishers, flare guns, as well as emergency extra water and food and first aid kit. The captains are also licensed and experienced in navigating all seasons year-round and handling the different conditions.

Blue Sailing is the first point of contact for emergency calls and is available to respond and arrange emergency assistance if needed.

Whatever form of travel you choose to visit San Blas, we recommend you make sure the boat (be it a speedboat or sailboat) is equipped with up-to-date safety equipment and has a coherent safety procedure.

Believe us the captains would prefer to sail but this depends first and foremost on the weather conditions. From mid-November to April the winds are most prevalent and the seas are rough, especially when coming from Panama. These conditions may allow for more sailing unless the wind is too strong, and depending on the direction, the captain may decide not to use the sails for safety reasons. At other times of the year, inconsistent winds may mean you simply do not have the conditions to sail and the captain will need to rely on the motor. You will likely need to use the motor for at least part of the navigation. Please be patient with the captain and understand that the comfort and safety of the boat and passengers come first.

From mid-November to April is the windy season. The westerly trade winds are most prevalent during these months and the open sea can be rough. The islands are well-protected from the wind by surrounding reefs and your captain may choose to anchor in spots that are more sheltered depending on the conditions. The weather in the islands tends to be good at this time and there is less rain.

May to November is generally termed the rainy season but should not deter prospective passengers from taking the trip. Rain may come in patches of 1 or 2 hours and is relatively short-lived. The sailboats visit island groups that we outer lying from the mainland so tends to experience less rain. The sea is calmer in this season with less wind which offers a more comfortable ride between San Blas and Cartagena.

During the months of July to September, it’s normal to experience small localized storms called “culo de pollos”, which bring a strong gust of wind followed by a short spell of rain. These are not to be concerned about and make for a more adventurous sail!

The captains we work with are experienced in navigating year-round in all seasons.

There is plenty to do on the islands but this will depend on you and how you chose to spend your time. Snorkeling, swimming, playing volleyball/football, beach bonfires, exploring the islands and meeting the local Kuna inhabitants, fishing, and relaxing under a palm tree with a beer in hand are all possibilities.

Yes, you can bring your own alcohol and mixers. The boats have fridges or coolers to keep your drinks cold. For those beer lovers, please bring cans rather than glass bottles. There is no limit to how long much you bring but please be sensible regarding the amount you drink and respect your captain’s decision to restrict drinking during open sea navigation.

Under no circumstances should anyone bring drugs on board with them. You will be crossing international borders and all international laws and penalties apply.

The crew will do their best to accommodate those guests with special diets, this includes vegetarians, pescatarians, vegans, and gluten-free. If this applies to you, please make sure to let us know in advance.  All boats charge a 25 USD surcharge for Vegan and Gluten free meal plans. 

It can be difficult to find alternative products for gluten-free or vegan diets, especially in the islands so please consider bringing extra snacks along with you.

If you have a genuine allergy to any specific foods or something in the environment, you should inform us and take appropriate measures.

We ask that people please be flexible with dietary requests unless it’s necessary.

Tourists from most countries are not required to have a visa or pay an entrance fee and should receive a 90-day tourist stamp on arrival to both Panama and Cartagena. However, passengers are responsible for checking any special conditions or requirements relevant to them.

South Africans require a tourist visa to enter Colombia. 

We recommend that you have proof of onward travel tickets when entering Panama in case immigration requests it. This can be any flight within three months of arrival from any country and having it on your phone should be fine.  For passengers traveling from Panama, we can provide a formal confirmation of your booking which should suffice as proof of onward travel when you enter the country. If for some reason the airline gives you trouble please call us immediately.  If for some reason we are not reachable, we recommend buying a fully refundable fare.  

Yellow fever certificates are not required when entering by boat.

Most boats will take surfboards free of charge, as for bicycles, it tends to be 50-100 USD depending on the boat. It’s very likely these will be strapped on deck as space inside the boat is limited. You should take appropriate measures to ensure your items are protected from sun/salt air e.g surfboard bag, or protector spray.

We use external transport companies to and from the boats who may charge their own fees for carrying bikes and surfboards.