
A World Class Marina in Panama.
As the height of the hurricane season rapidly approaches, we invite you to enjoy “HURRICANE FREE” Panama.
Our web site has recently been updated and all the information is accurate as of September 2007. We add new photos monthly to the photo gallery so you can witness the growth of Shelter Bay. If you have any suggestions as to how this site can be improved, please contact us.
Finally there is a world class marina at the Caribbean entrance to the Panama canal. The marina is situated inside an almost totally enclosed cove on the western shore of Limon Bay, protected by the Cristobal breakwater (see chart). We believe a more secure location is hard to find! Our marina is situated next to historical San Lorenzo National Park. Beside our property is the Panamanian Coast Guard Station. We are 30 minutes by road to the outskirts of Colon where the nearest shopping center is located.
Our two main concrete floating docks have a capacity of 88 boats ranging from 35 feet to 70 feet. Yachts up to 175 feet can be berthed on our T-head end ties, or yachts up to 225 feet and a 14 foot draft can be side tied to our floating dock designed for mega yachts. All slips are equipped with potable water and electrical power; 120, 240 and 480VAC power or 30, 50, 100 amp service.
Our marina facilities include hot showers, bathrooms, self-service laundry room, multi-purpose room with internet access, library area, trash disposal, parking lot, 24 hour security, and wifi. We provide free transportation in our 27 passanger Toyota bus every morning Monday to Fridays to Colon. Our new bayside restaurant and bar is fully operational serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. The restaurant has a fully stocked bar and big screen TV. The marina office is open 7 days a week providing Port Captain and Immigration services to check in and out of the country. We can even assist you with obtaining an agent for your canal transit paperwork.
Our 100 ton Travelift is now in full service. We also have a 60 ton Hostar hydraulic trailer to move boats from the haul out bay to our 5 acre storage and work yard.
Our friendly and helpful marina staff is committed to providing superior service from the moment you arrive. We want you to feel at home and secure during your stay with us.
Many of our clients make a visit to Panama City. We have developed the “About Panama City” section in this web site with information to reflect the unique needs and desires of cruisers and yacht owners rather than those of a vacationer. We hope you find this information beneficial.
LOCATION
When first arriving to Panama, please display a Panamanian courtesy flag. When approaching the breakwater, please call Cristobal Signal on VHF channel 12 or 16 and notify them of your presence.
If you have just transited the canal coming from the Pacific side, drop off your pilot or advisor at anchorage “F” or “the Flats.” Proceed North along the marked channel like you are heading to the main breakwater opening. At a half mile before the breakwater or aproximately 9 22.400N and 79 56.488W you will see a yellow buoy marked SHELTER POINT on your port side. Turn left keeping the Yellow buoy to your port and run parallel to the breakwater on an aproximate heading of 255 degrees. You will have the breakwater and green buoys marked SB on your starboard. Continue to the marina bay entrance. At aproximately 9 22.23N and 79 56.864W you will see two orange and white concrete markers showing the boundries of the harbor entrance. Stay between the markers and contact the marina office on VHF 74 for your slip assignment.
If you are coming from the Caribbean ocean, enter the big ship channel and turn right after passing through the entrance. Follow the breakwater keeping the green SB buoys on your starboard. See above for the harbor entrance instructions.
If you will be entering our harbor after dark, please contact us on VHF 74 to notify us of your estimated time of arrival so we may assist you.
SERVICES
Communications
Cell phone rentals - We have cell phones for rent. Inquire in the office.
Wifi Wireless Internet
Bring your computer to the marina office. We will set you up to have internet right onboard your boat. You can also plug in directly from various stations in our main building. Wireless access is free, after a onetime $5 hook-up fee.
Transportation to and from Colon
Ride with Victor in our new, 27 passanger air-conditioned Coaster bus to Colon for shopping. He makes the trip 2 times a day. He will drop clients off at the El Rey grocery store at Cuatro Altos shopping center. Also at Cuatro Altos is a movie theater, hardware, electronic stores, a internet café and a department store. There is an ATM inside the Rey store. The new Cuatro Altos hospital is located within walking distance for basic lab work or health needs. They have a 24 hour emergency room.
Taxi services
Whether you need to go to the international airport in Panama City, want to do some site-seeing or a major provisioning run we have a list of reliable english speaking taxi drivers. A taxi from Colon to the marina is $15.00. A taxi ride from anywhere in Colon is $1-2.00. Taxi service to Tocumen is typically $65.00 and the going rate to hire a taxi for the day is about $8.00 per hour. Our bus ride to town costs $4, and is also available to rent for large groups.
Water
Panama enjoys one of the best water systems in the world. It is safe to drink the tap water. The marina water is supplied by the Panama Canal plant at Mount Hope. The water is chlorinated and filtered.
Laundry room
We have a self service laundry room with 4 commercial washers and 4 commercial dryers. We also have an iron and ironing board for use.
Showers/bathrooms
We have 6 bathrooms with hot showers, two with Jacuzzi tubs.
Fuel Service
Diesel fuel delivery for up to 3000 gallons can be arranged by appointment. Smaller quanties (25 - 300 gallons) can be pumped directly in your boat from barrels of diesel we maintain in stock.
Propane
Leave your tank at the office and Victor will take it to be refilled. A tank with an American or European adaptor takes a few days to turn around.
Port Captain and immigration paperwork
Bring all your pertinent paperwork to the marina office and Victor will “walk” it through the necessary steps in the Port Captain and Immigration offices. He can check you and your boat/crew into the country, out of the country or renew cruising permits.
Preparation for a Panama Canal transit
We have a list of agents who take care of all the paperwork for your Panama Canal Transit. If you need lines for the canal transit, we can rent them to you, and arrange to have them picked up in Balboa.
Tips for a smoother transit
Stock plenty of bottled water for your pilot or advisor.
Panamanians are very proud of their country. Be sure you are flying a Panamanian courtesy flag. A large one is noticed and appreciated by the canal authorities.
Order from our menu and we will pack your transit food to go. Speak with our restaurant manager and we can customize transit meals.
On site management 24 hours
Bruce Winship is the Resident Marina Manager. Bruce, his wife April and their two daughters Kendall (14) and Quincy (12) live aboard their 33 foot Crowther designed catamaran, Chewbacca. They cruised aboard Chewbacca for 8 years before coming to Shelter Bay.
Boat Cleaning
We have staff who clean boat interiors/exteriors and polish stainless.
Boat Care Service
While you are away, we have several boat care service plans to choose from whether you are in the water or up on the hard in the dry storage yard.
Ice
We have large and small bags of ice cubes on site.
Medical emergencies/dental needs/eye care
There is an emergency room at Cuatro Altos Hospital. There are several excellent English- speaking dentists in colon. For vision needs there are two optometrists in the 2000 shopping mall in Colon. Ask at the office for more details.
Security
The marina is located inside a active military base and there is a military guard 24 hours. The marina provides our own security during the nighttime hours.
Marina Store
Our marina store is now open. In stock are several Panama guidebooks including the latest edition of Cruising Ports, the Central American Route by Capt. Pat Rains. We also stock Panamanian courtesy flags, Panama road maps, custom made mola bags and Shelter Bay Marina polo shirts.
visit www.shelterbaymarina.com for more information