Every year, countless sailors cast off their lines to cross the Atlantic. Some leave from the Canary Islands, others from Cape Verde, or even from Gambia — all departure points where the horizon opens onto the promise of “elsewhere.” But what if, this time, your course took you a little farther south? Toward Brazil. 🇧🇷 A vast, colorful, welcoming country where each stopover has shown us new cultures, traditions, and foods — and everywhere, warm and kind-hearted people.
Brazil: a stopover still little frequented
Brazil isn’t yet a classic destination for transatlantic sailors. And yet, those who choose this route often describe a journey that feels different: grand landscapes, a strong maritime culture, and a simple, generous humanity.
Some sailors hesitate to stop here — sometimes out of fear of insecurity, sometimes simply due to lack of information.
After more than five months sailing along these coasts, we never encountered a dangerous situation. We stay attentive to local advice, avoid attracting trouble, and act with the same caution we would in any major city in the world.
In Rio de Janeiro, for example, anchored in Botafogo Bay, we felt completely safe. It’s a peaceful place, perfect for walking, meeting families, admiring Sugarloaf Mountain, and feeling that gentle, welcoming energy so unique to Brazil.
Brazil is a country where you take your time — the time to arrive, to breathe, to explore, and sometimes… to stay.
A more flexible and gentler route
Crossing the Atlantic at the latitude of Cape Verde, Gambia, or Guinea-Bissau allows you to follow a more flexible, more relaxed route.
Here, you aren’t constrained by hurricane season, which affects the northern routes much more strongly.
This means more freedom: you can choose your moment based on the weather, your boat’s readiness, or simply your intuition.
In our case, we observed the evolution of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) closely for several weeks, which allowed us to choose the right weather window.
This careful, patient preparation made our crossing calm and enjoyable.
What we particularly loved about this route was the sense of freedom: leaving when everything felt ready, not when a date on the calendar dictated it.
It’s a human-scale navigation, guided by the sea and the weather rather than strict schedules.
Why Brazil wins the hearts of sailors
Those who stop here discover a country full of contrasts:
- protected anchorages — perfect places to rest such as Itaparica, Bom Jesus in the Bay of Salvador, or Ilha Grande in the south of Rio de Janeiro ;
- an active, international, generous sailing community ;
- a welcoming culture where music, conviviality, and the sea are part of everyday life ;
- accessible nautical services: boatyards, repairs, provisioning, small shops, artisans… everything you need to keep living and sailing comfortably .
Brazil is a place where stopovers naturally stretch into longer stays. Each bay has its own personality: some invite rest, others exploration, and others still become temporary home ports for sailors who fall in love with the country.
Administrative procedures simpler than you might think
When you arrive in Brazil by sea, your permitted length of stay depends on your passport and existing agreements between countries.
Many sailors are surprised to discover that the entry procedures are actually quite straightforward : a few forms to fill, an entry with the Federal Police, and one with the Receita Federal (the Brazilian tax authorities), where the welcome is often warm and professional.
For those who wish to stay a year, there are adapted solutions:
- the Digital Nomad Visa for remote workers,
- or the Retiree Visa for sailors already enjoying retirement.
With a bit of organization, it is entirely possible to extend your stay legally and peacefully.
And that is precisely the mission of Voiles & Visas: to support sailors with all the necessary paperwork, translations, and formalities so that their experience in Brazil remains simple, smooth, and free of administrative stress.
Many sailors believe they must prepare everything before leaving Europe or Africa — but it is also possible to start these procedures after arriving in Brazil.
The processes can be started locally, with the help of professionals and trusted contacts. This allows you to enjoy the country more serenely while advancing through the formalities.
At Voiles & Visas, we often help sailors who are already here to regularize or extend their stay without complications.
Brazil offers sailors a route that is less frequented, but incredibly rich in beauty and authenticity. It’s a country that requires curiosity and openness, but gives back so much in return. And with the right information and the right support, spending a season here — or an entire year — becomes not only possible, but truly memorable.