Panamarina

Located in the national Park of Portobelo (Rep. of Panamá), half a day sail away from either San-Blas islands or Colón, at the northern entrance of Panama canal, Panamarina is a perfect haven for your sailboat.

Wether you wish to prepare it forr distant Pacific destinations, go back to your country for a few months or jump ship for a trip overland in Central or South America, your boat will be secure in all seasoons, in the care of a team of serious, competent sailors.

Of course, the crew is not forgotten: restaurant-bar, showers, laundry and many others services are available to make for an easy and plaisant stay.

For further details, please click on the various headings above.

HARBOUR

The anchorage caters for 28 monohulls and 9 multihulls, set in two rows.

In order to respect and protect sea life, each sailboat is moored on 3 or 4 (depending on size) steel screws of which only the anchoring eye is above sea bed. This system has been approved in many natural parks worldwide.

The entrance channel (N09°36´90- W79°36´70) is equipped with green (port) and red (starboard) buoys and the first 4 are fitted with a flag for better visibility from offshore. Once inside the anchorage, two stand-by mooring buoys (painted white) can be found in the middle. Call us on VHF 69 and Panamarina´s tender will come and help you.

The bottom is sandy; depth varies between 20 and 5 meters in the channel and 4 to 2 meters at moorings positions.

MARINA

The marina puts at your disposal 24h/day security, a laundry, showers and toilets, an open-air restaurant area, a workshop with a vise on a workbench, sockets in 110 and 220 V AC, water, a rinsing sink for engine (tools no provided), a book-exchange library (English, French, German, Italien), games.

RESTAURANT

The open-air restaurant can provide for about 30 persons and is open, as well as the bar, from Tuesdays to Sundays, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm and from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The cooks propose dishes from Panama’s Atlantic coast or typical French family cooking.

CONTACT

Jean Paul et Sylvie
Cel : +(507) 6680 2003
Cel : +(507) 6687 7747
panamarina@hotmail.com
www.pamarina.net

Shelter Bay Marina

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

FLAMENCO YACHT CLUB

 Flamenco Yacht Club is the first international marina of Panama, which provides service to small, medium and large yachts. It has the most modern facilities and a world- class service, so recognized by all the yachtsmen that have docked here.

Our facilities
The facilities of the marina have been designed to offer local and foreigners all the comforts and services needed by the modern yachtsmen. To achieve this, we have divided the facilities into three areas or components: The Clubhouse, the Dry Dock and the Travel-lift Service, and the Dock.

The Clubhouse
The clubhouse under construction at the moment is located in between Perico and Flamenco Islands, on a landfill parallel to the causeway and with direct access to the docks:

- An accessories and nautical equipment store
- Administrative offices
- Library and reading tables for cartography
- Game room
- Restaurant
- Open air deck
- Public showers and bathrooms
- Laundry
- Convenience Store
- Meeting room for parties and special events
- Ample parking area
- Public telephones
- Security 24 hours
- Charter company

Nautipesca opens new store
Due to the high demand experienced at their previous smaller location at the Terminal Building, Nautipesca moved to the Marina area with, where it now has 300 square meters of showroom. We invite you to come and see the new store, where you can purchase maritime and fishing equipment.

The Dry Dock
The marina has an 8,000 square meter area for minor repair and cleaning work on boats. For that, we operate a “Marine Travel-lift” to haul out/in yachts that weigh up to 150 tons and measure 100 feet. The patio allows us to work on 25 yachts at the same time.

Among the facilities, which the dry dock offers, we have:
• 8,000 square meters of protected area for repair and maintenance work
• Trained personnel to perform maintenance, clean and bottom paintwork
• Electronic and refrigeration equipment and motors repair shop.
• Repair accessories and paint selling store.
• Light equipment for cleaning and repair work.
• Up to 50 amperes electricity and water provided at each workstation.
• 24 Hours security

The Docks
Flamenco Yacht Club is the first marina in Panama, which will have docks with enough water permanently. The draft varies from a minimum of 7 feet to a maximum of 23 feet with low tide, which allows for access to yachts as big as 200 feet. These facilities will have:

• 167 slips for yachts from 35 to 85 feet
• 20 slips for yachts from 85 to 200 feet.
• 4 slips for yachts from 200 to 250 feet.
• Each slip will have electricity, fresh water, Cable TV, and access to telephone.
• Gasoline or diesel and water can be provided from our service dock which measures 250 feet in length.

And as part of the Dry Dock and complimenting the area in front of the sea and with a view of the yachts moored in the marina is the K.YU.CO. Bar and Café which offers snacks, drinks and restrooms for visitors to enjoy an open area with a unique view.

Its Personnel
Its highly motivated and qualified personnel will always be ready to give a hand. We can also help you in finding outside help.

CONTACT

For more information, contact:
Tel: (507) 314-0911/12
Email: mlp@fuerteamador.com

Marina Boca Chica

Welcome to the Marina Boca Chica Homepage.   We are proud to announce the start of construction of a 60 slip marine facility in Chiriqui Province which will serve the western Pacific coast of Panama.

This project has been ‘in the works’ for the past 3 years, beginning with research, identification of the site, Environmental Impact Study and permitting.   We have received ANAM approval for the complete project, and have also been awarded the marine concession for the docks area.

The finished project will offer:

• A full service marina with 60 slips for yachts up to 120 ft LOA.  
• Hotel with 12 luxury rooms.
• Shore Power of 120/240 volt 60 cycle.
• Pressurized potable water
• Communal kitchen dining area
• Air-conditioned Facilities building
• Cable Television to every slip
• Phone connection to every slip
• Internet access at every slip
• Yacht maintenance programs
• Visa and MC accepted.

SERVICES

Yacht Maintenance:

• Monthly Deck and Topsides wash.
• Engine run and monitor monthly.
• Battery monitor and maintenance.
• Frequent airing and ventilation, as weather allows.
• Daily dock lines and waterline checks.
• Interior Cleaning / Mildew control /   Head pickling.
• Bottom Scrubs, zinc anode

Marina Services:

• Transient, monthly and annual finger pier docking facilities.
• Garbage and waste oil disposal.
• Diesel fuel available nearby.
• Propane bottle refilling service.
• Twenty-four hour private security.
• FUTURE:
• Bathrooms
• Laundry facilities.
• Book exchange
• Video & DVD rentals

PROJECT PHASES

Marina Boca Chica will be a multi-year, multi-phase project.  As this area of the coast develops the time table will most certainly accelerate.  However, the following schedule represents our ‘best guess’ of how the phases will be completed, at this time..

Power and potable water are already on site and access to the island road system is in the works.

Phase I:    (Scheduled finish - Dec. 2007)
Owners Bungalow (future club house & infrastructure building)
Temporary Office (future communal kitchen)
Dock access causeway & ramp
MAIN Dock (10′ X 120′) with power & water
Stairway from marina site to road

Phase II:  (Scheduled Finish - Dec. 2008)
South Branch of marina dock (30 add’l slips with finger piers)
Additional infrastructure including power & water
Marina Services building, (offices, bathrooms, laundry, etc…)

Phase III:  (Scheduled finish - Dec. 2009)
North Branch of marina dock (30 add’l slips with finger piers)
Additional infrastructure including power & water
Marina Office, bathroom

Phase IV:  (Scheduled finish - Dec. 2010)
Hotel building with 12 luxury rooms
Additional infrastructure including power & water

ABOUT

Boca Chica Marina came about through discussions with cruising sailors who arrived a Careening Cay Marina in Bocas del Toro.  Many of them came from US and Canadian west coast ports and had visited the western Pacific coast of Panama before transiting the canal.  Their comments inevitably concerned the lack of adequate facilities in this particular area.

I spent one year exploring the western Pacific coast of Panama for suitable sites, from Punta Barrica to Las Lajas beach.  Only one location met the criteria of location, infrastructure, security and proximity to an important city (David).   It was considered remote back then, but I was planning for the future.

The location, which on the Island of Boca Brava, is in the heart of first-class sports fishing territory.  It also offered access to an international airport, transportation services , quality provisioning, major mechanical repair shops and other important services.  So, I purchased the property and began the lengthy process of planning and permitting.

We have big things in store for Marina Boca Chica.  Among the activities planned are:
Half and whole day sports fishing charters
Whale watching tours (Oct - Nov)
Diving charters
Island tours
Kayak rentals
Crewed and bareboat sailboat charters
Luxury accommodations

It has been 4 years since the search began.  Now, with the beginning of construction the dream is becoming a reality.

Please feel free visit this web page for up-to-date photos of the construction and fishing news from the area.  and don’t forget to come by for a visit and to see what is growing on the site.

The Chiriqui Marine Center
Boca Chica, Panama, Central America
Latitude 8º12.5′ N Longitude 82º11.5′ W

Marina Boca Chica
David, Chiriqui, Panama, Central America
Phone: (011) (507) 757-9242

Careening Cay Marina

History of Careening Cay Marina

Careening Cay Marina (Marina Carenero) was established in 1997 and opened officially for business January 1st, 1998. The original dock was built out of low-cost native materials and was up-graded to marine treated pine poles and decking in 2003-2004.

The marina is located in the cove on Careening Cay (Isla Carenero), a secure 200 meters distance from the town of Bocas. The site is cooled by abundant sea breezes and protected virtually 360 degrees by the surrounding islands. Power, water and phones come from the town of Bocas under the 100 meter wide channel between the islands.

The original concept was to provide a friendly, secure, service oriented center for cruising sailors, based on the cruising experiences of the owners. The scope of services offered are really too numerous to mention, as they include the fulfillment of many personal, and sometimes peculiar requests from absentee boat owners. Essentially, we are here to help the cruising sailor. We maintain this philosophy of operation.

The owners, Mack & Mary Robertson, have lived in Bocas since 1997. They cruised the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean before moving to Panama. They have raised 2 sons in Bocas, home-schooling them for college in the US..

SERVICES

•  Transient, monthly and annual finger pier docking facilities with pressurized potable water and 120/240 VAC 60Hz shore power connections (Marinco twist-lock plugs with separate earth ground).
• Yacht care services, including boat cleaning, repairs, absentee owner boat permit renewal. Emergency repair services. (see  yacht maintenance page for more information.)
• Pressurized potable water & Pressurized rain water systems.
• Garbage and waste oil disposal.
• Dinghy storage racks.
• Covered work area with power and water.
• Rental storage units.
• Diesel fuel available nearby.
• Propane bottle refilling service.
• Restrooms/showers & laundry facilities.
• Twenty-four hour private security.
• Water taxi available from 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
• Book exchange, Video and DVD library.
• FREE WiFi Internet Service
• E-mail and Broadband Internet service.
• Mail and package receiving.
• Cruisers’ kitchen/dining area.
• Cold beer, soda and ice for sale.
• Fish cleaning station with chum grinder.
• Assistance with travel and tourism in Panama and Costa Rica.

RATES AND RESERVATIONS

Slip Rentals:

Daily Rates :     $0.50 per foot.

Weekly Rates :    $0.35 per foot per day.
                 (1 week minimum payment in advance.)

Monthly Rate :   $7.00 per foot, per month.

NOTE :  
Power & water are FREE except for high consumption electrical appliances like A/C, etc.
FREE WiFi Internet Service on Board
Telephone and internet service available at the marina office.
Direct TV available.

Reservations :
Reservations can be made by e-mail up to 90 days in advance with a deposit equal to the first month’s slip rental.

Visa /MasterCard Accepted.

Careening Cay Marina
Bocas del Toro, Caribbean, Republic of Panama, Central America
Latitude 9º20′ N Longitude 82º15′ W
The Cruising Sailor’s choice for Security and Service.
Marina Carenero
Phone: (011) (507) 757-9242
Cell Phone: (011) (507) 6609-0152 (cell phones have 1 extra digit)