Natal - General Info
Description:
Natal is a pleasant, interesting and historic port on the NE tip of Brazil and is the largest city and capital of the state of Rio Grande do Norte. The Portuguese term “Rio Grande do Norte” means “Great River of the North” and refers to the mouth of the Potengi River.
Rio Grande do Norte is bordered by coastline on its north and east side and is known worldwide for its sand dunes and beaches. Its 254-mile (410 km) stretch of beautiful beaches, white sand, blue waters, lagoons and coconut trees account mainly for its beaches’ popularity.
Cruiser Highlights:
The Yacht Club (Iate Clube do Natal) will help with clearance formalities. Natal is a good place from which to leave for the Caribbean.
A local sailor (Rodrigo) who is often at the yacht club and speaks perfect English, can help with various things, in particular sailmaking.
Position: 05°44.87’S, 35°11.62’W (entrance)
Last updated: August 2023
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Related to following destinations: Brazil, Eastern coast (north of Rio de Janeiro), Natal
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Yacht Club:
When visited in July 2023, there were no moorings available. We anchored in 12m. The club helps with the clearance procedure. The first two days are free, then 92,50R per day. Showers, wifi, restaurant.
Clearance:
Ask the yacht club (iateclube@iateclubedonatal.com) the day before you arrive to inform immigration (Policia Federal) that you would like to check in the next morning. The club can arrange for immigration to meet you the next morning in the Passenger Terminal (Terminal Marítimo de Passageiros, 1.5km from the yacht club). If that doesn’t work, you need to go by taxi or Uber to the “Superintêndencia Regional de Policia Federal” in Ria Doutor Lauro Pinto (20 min). If you don’t have a local sim card yet, you might want to take an Uber (using the yacht club wifi) to Midway Mall first to buy one at C&A, where they sell them without you needing a local tax number (CPF). The Mall is on the way to the Policia Federal.
Next, visit customs (Receita Federal), which has many different buildings. The office you need is in an annexe of the Passenger Terminal, accessible via the main entrance of the Passenger Terminal. Ask the guard to show you.
Finally, to the Capitanía dos Portos, just down the road in Rua Chile.
“Chegamos de veleiro” (“we arrived by sailboat”) was often enough information for the officials to understand what you needed.
Hi Floris and Ivar – so great to get this useful feedback and to hear from you both again. Guess you are nearing the end of your circumnavigation? Incredible to see you are now in Brazil after all the years of wonderful feedback you’ve been sending Noonsite. Do send us an update on where to next, when you can.
Great service all around. The staff helped a lot with water and fuel pumping into the boat and also provided additional services during our stay, fixed our air conditioning pump and other stuffs inside the boat. Great food and they have the nicest working people in the City of Natal.
Shout out to Thales, Wellington, Bozo and Joka.
In February 2019 we made landfall in Natal and we treated like visiting royalty at Iate Clube do Natal. Both for check in and check out were were driven to the necessary offices and provided with translation help. It was apparent that the officials knew the yacht club personnel.
The Club arranged delivery of clean fuel, brought it to the dock and helped transfer to our tanks. All club facilities were opened for our use. The club even allowed us to use tools we didn’t have on board. On request – we wee driven to the supermarket. The club came out in a tender and showed us where to anchor for the best holding.
Over all a wonderful experience. OBRIGADO.
We spent a week at this marina. Have to say, having spent almost 5 months sailing around Brazil. This club was the worst of the lot. Staff were unfriendly, especially the guy at the club reception. He has the “life owes me” attitude. It’s extremely expensive and out of all the facilities you can use the showers. They have a lovely pool but it’s for SHOW only.
As most yacht clubs this club is situated in the dirty part of Natal. This club left a bitter taste in our mouths. We were 3 boats traveling together.