Guatemala Entry Guide: Tides, Depths & Crossing the Bar Safely
Crossing into Guatemala's Río Dulce means tackling the shallow bar outside Livingston, where the controlling depth can drop below five and a half feet at low tide. This Short covers how deep-draft keelboats time the tides, follow deep-water waypoints, or hire local lanchas to heel the boat over and clear the bar safely. Once inside, cruising couldn't be easier: the river is deep, well-marked, and nearly tideless, making navigation simple so you can just slow down and enjoy the journey. Subscribe for more cruising guides to Guatemala, the Caribbean, and beyond.