The Most Dangerous Places to Sail in the World – 7 Areas You Should Avoid!

Sailing new places is always adventurous and portends great experiences as you go along. But venturing into unknown territories, especially in the open seas, can be very, very dangerous. From piracy attacks to violently stormy conditions through to dangerously unpredictable freak waves, some places can prove unbearable to sail in.

So, what are the most dangerous places to sail in the world? Well, here is a list of the no-go zones or simply places you should steer clear of when planning a sailing trip. So without further ado, let’s see what those places are.

1. Gulf of Guinea

Fast replacing the Somalian coast as the piracy hotspot, the Gulf of Guinea has become one of the most dangerous places to go sailing. The gulf is found on the northeasternmost part of the Atlantic Ocean, right between Cape Lopez in Gabon and Cape Three Points in the Western Ghana region.

Pirates here mainly target tankers and cargo ships, but cruisers and yachts are not spared either. Cases of kidnappings for ransom in the area are ever-increasing, which means professional security advice or private security accompaniment is required if you really
must pass through the gulf.

2. Cape Horn

Lying in the southernmost tip of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago, southern Chile, Cape Horn experiences harsh weather conditions that can jeopardize the sailing experience. It is, however, a place where the world’s most prestigious yacht races, like Vendee Globe and Volvo Ocean Race, take place, with yachters tested to the limits as they navigate through the overly challenging conditions.

The infamous williwaw winds particularly make rounding the Horn a very difficult task. Gusts that strike with little or no warming, rough current, and floating icebergs also make the journey by boat here a perilous one. If you have little experience in sailing
rough waters, then this is an area you would want to keep your sailing itinerary.

3. The Gulf of Aden

Located in the Arabian Sea, between Yemen and Somali, the Gulf of Aden is a hub of piracy. So rampant are the cases of piracy that the NATO Shipping Center recently issued a warning advising yachts not to sail through the Gulf. Pirates here mainly target the delivery of shipments and intrepid sailboats, where they steal valuables onboard or hold captive vessel occupants for ransom.

People, however, like taking the risk of passing the Gulf of Aden for two main reasons. One is those round-the-world sailors would want to avoid paying the massive land transit fee that amounts to a few dozen bucks. Second, is that the route is shorter and helps sailors avoid going the way around through Cape of Good Hope, which is also known for extremely bad weather conditions.

4. Point Conception

Point Conception is a headland sitting along the Pacific coast of California, where the Santa Barbara channel merges with the Pacific Ocean. The area’s rapidly changing weather has earned it a position among the three most dangerous places in the world to sail in.

Rounding Point Conception is not for novice sailors; neither is it for the faint-hearted. The weather is so unpredictable here that it can shift from ear-calm to a whopping 30 + knots in seconds. Even the most experienced of sailors can be taken by surprise on the Point Conception. So, sailing at this point is a matter of guts and guts alone.

5. Straits of Malacca

Located between the Indonesian island of Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula Straits of Malaca is a 900 km(550 miles) stretch known for its narrow geography and a plethora of islets in between. That makes it a convenient spot for pirates to ambush passing ships and/or sailboats and escape without a hassle. The strait has, however, become safer in recent years due to coordinated patrols by various governments.

While pirates in this area tend to mostly eye commercial ships, the sailing conditions here are not as appealing as anyone wishing to have a fun cruising holiday would desire. Everything from heavy traffic to floating debris to difficult geography and frequent lightning makes the strait a not-so-desirable place to sail.

6. Margarita Island

Situated in Nueva Esparta, just off the coast of Venezuela in the Caribbean Sea, Margarita Island is a pirate haven that was once a beautiful tourist getaway. Aside from looking idyllic, the island sits in an area that’s just below the hurricane belt. That means the sailing conditions there are as superb as ever.

Piracy in the region has been the biggest concern, though, with pirates targeting tourist yachts and sailboats (since most of these vessels have little protection). They rob valuables on board and even hold occupants for ransom. Visiting sailors are usually targeted upon arriving on shore.

7. Bermuda

Shrouded in deep mystery, Bermuda Triangle is an unofficial area in the Atlantic Ocean that has stirred myths and controversies since the disappearance of several planes and ships without a trace. There’s no clear explanation as to the cause of such happenings, and most people won’t dare go there, especially on sailboats or yachts.

Controversies aside, even tropical storms and hurricanes travel through the Bermuda Triangle at some point, something that makes the weather conditions in the area harsh. Even though there’s no proof of the triangle’ having superstitious powers, it is advisable that you proceed with caution when considering an adventure into the area.

Final Words

These are by far the worst and most dangerous places you can take your sailing adventure to. So, any one place on this list should be avoided at all costs. But if you feel like you must sail through these areas, be sure you have enough professional security onboard your yacht for areas that are pirate-ridden and an experienced captain for places with extreme weather conditions. Otherwise, there are innumerable sailing destinations in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and other parts of the world that you can find attractive to sail in without having to worry much about harsh weather and/or issues of security.

 

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