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.