This article was originally published on Noonsite.com | The global clearance resource for cruising yachts, providing accurate, verified formalities for every destination for over 25 years, and is republished here with permission.
Guinea Bissau – A Blend of African, Portuguese and Island Influences
Guinea-Bissau, a small West African nation nestled along the Atlantic coast between Senegal and Guinea, offers an unspoiled and intriguing destination for adventurous sailors. Covering around 36,000 square kilometres – roughly the size of Switzerland – this former Portuguese colony is best known for its scattered Bijagós Archipelago, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of over 80 islands teeming with wildlife and rich cultural traditions. The mainland and islands alike are characterized by mangrove-lined estuaries, low-lying forests, and remote fishing villages.
Despite its natural wealth, Guinea-Bissau remains one of the world’s poorer countries, with a fragile economy largely dependent on agriculture, fishing, and cashew exports. Its history is marked by Portuguese rule until independence in 1974 and a series of political upheavals that have left the nation somewhat isolated, yet remarkably authentic.
The Bijagos Archipelago
The Bijagos Archipelago consists of 88 islands, of which only 20 are inhabited and stretches over 13000 km². It has been declared a National Park and since 1996 also a UNESCO Biosphere Reservation. The islands are covered with thick secondary forest, there are lots of white sandy beaches and the flora and fauna is amazing.
A Paradise
Even hippopotamus and saltwater crocodiles can be seen. Great to see also, that the waters are full of fish, due to the fact that they are shallow enough to prevent commercial trawlers from fishing here. The absence of bigger international tourism is another advantage. During all the weeks we did not see a single other yacht. There are a few lodges and fishing camps with mainly tourists from Portugal or Bissau, who often come for fishing and sun bathing.
Nice Check-in at Porto Bubaque
Yachts can clear in Cacheu, Bissau or Porto Bubaque on the island of Bubaque. We were told that Bissau is not ideal, because the officials are apparently not welcoming at all and make life difficult for the sailor. Also it is difficult to anchor there. It is situated at the Rio Ceba, whereas Porto Bubaque is directly on the island Bubaque in the Bijagos Archipelago.
Here we had the nicest check in ever. After anchoring at the harbor with strong tide, a boat approached and the harbor master came alongside and politely asked permission to come on board. He even invited to take us over for the necessary procedures.
For Guinea Bissau, besides the normal papers you will need a Visa, which we got without a problem in one hours’ time at the Embassy of Guinea Bissau in Banjul, Gambia.
It is important to fly the National flag of Guinea Bissau above the yellow flag Q. Otherwise you risk a fine. You need to see the harbor master, immigration, customs, national park agency and police, but they will all get together for you in a little hut and the harbor master will write your cruising permit on an ancient type writer. It cost us 150 Euro. For us the check – in was done after one hour and we were brought back to our yacht.
There is basically no crime, people have been very kind, so why rush to the Caribbean if there are more beautiful islands on the east side of the Atlantic? Although you need to motor a lot, as there is often not enough wind for proper sailing.
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Knut Kähler and Bianka Martens SV Habiby