Cartagena : Profile

Location

Cartagena is fast becoming "the" place to stop for yachts prior to making their way to the Panama canal.

The government is trying hard to encourage this influx of visitors and there are plans to build two new marinas. In addition the Club Nautico is also being upgraded.

Bahia de Cartagena is a well-protected anchorage. Entrances to the bay are through the large ship channel - the Boca Chica strait, or the northwest entrance - Boca Grande (Escollera).

The Boca Chica entrance is the easier and is the one used by most recreational sailors.

The Boca Grande entrance tends to be used by yachts coming from the north and east but should be approached with caution. The Colombian Navy has re-installed the red & green lighted posts to mark the small vessel channel at the Boca Grande entrance, however reports received April 2011 state that the red buoy is lit but not the green one. Guaranteed "official" depth is about 8 feet, greater depth might be possible if there is limited swell and conditions are not otherwise unfavorable. Cruisers report the echo sounder never going below 3.2 metres. Advice is to follow the marked channel and don't cut corners.

Last updated August 2011.

Clearance

All vessels approaching Cartagena (5 miles from entrance at a minimum) should call CARTAGENA PORT CONTROL on VHF CH16 or 14. They have good English speakers on hand (who can also assist with emmergency calls).

Anchor in the inner bay. This is the area inside the Peninsula of Bocagrande adjoining the Island of Manga (where Club Nautico is loacted) and the Historic Centre. It is not advisable to anchor near the entrance at Bocagrande.

If you have any need to call the Coast Guard sometimes it is better to use Cartagena Port Control to relay the message since they allways have competent English speakers on hand.

No contact should be made to the Port Captain except through your nominated clearing agent (Agencia Maritima) on arrival.

There are now three English-speaking agents here (see details below). Contact via the Club Nautico. It is no longer necessary to visit the Customs and Immigration offices in person. These agents help with all the required paperwork and procedures.

The fees normally amount to between $90 and $205 US (vessels below 30 tons). The cruising permit (cetificado de permanencia) issued and charged by the Port Captain's office is valid for 2 months from the date of issue (usually around 10 days from arrival). The renewal (after this 2 month period) of this certicate would be valid for a further 6 months.

See New Fees for Formalities in Colombia for more details.

Vessels staying for a period of less than 8 days have not had to pay this additional "Cruising permit" charge. This could change.

The customs authorities are happy to receive approaches directly from cruisers making no charge for the required Temporary importation paperwork. The clearing agent can of course handle this but there might be a minor cost saving from doing it yourself. By contrast, Clearing agents are obligatory with both the Port Captain's office and Immigration.

Last updated December 2011.

Cartagena Caribbean Marine Agency
Tel:0057-315-7562818 / 0057-315-4850596
cartagenacaribbean@hotmail.com
New 2010. Paola and Yesika are local and live on their cat at Club Nautico. They are also available to help with local workers and any medical professionals. Excellent English. Recommended by cruisers.

Cartagena De Indias Shipping Agency
Tel:575 6433766, VHF Channel 13,14,16
comercial@cartagenadeindiasshiping.com

John Hally
Dockmaster, Club Nautico Cartagena
clubnauticocartagena@gmail.com
Always prepared to answer cruisers' queries.

Manfred Alwarelt
of Mundo Mar/ Defina Express/ White Light
Tel:5 666 3230 / 317 729 7367 or 301 222 1255 (mob.)
manfred.al@gmx.net
English speaking clearance agent.

Motores y Velas
Tel:(575) 313 523 0742
cartamarcaribe@hotmail.com
English-speaking agent for clearance formalities. David Arroyo and Edgar Romero: contact via Club Nautico.

Port Captain
Centro, Edificio Vimbrco, Floor 6
JEFCTMCP05@dimar.mil.co

Romovela ltda
David Arroyo (Edgar Romero's agency), Cartagena
Tel:+57- 313-523-0742 and +57-317-282-0161
jesusarroyo79@yahoo.com
David been helping cruisers for many years with clearance, and zarpes and every situation imaginable. His agency has been found to be reliable, very helpful and highly recommended by cruisers.

Docking

Bahia de Cartagena is a well-protected anchorage.

It is advisable to anchor in deep water (10m) with a long scope as the sudden southerly squalls can cause dragging in shallower water.

WARNING: Dinghy theft is a common occurrence in Cartagena. At night, you must raise your dinghy and lock it and the outboard to the boat. It appears that thieves are mainly targeting outboard engines (15hp+).

There has recently been a decrease in dinghy thefts in the Bay of Cartagena, possibly due to better crime control by the officials and more awareness on the part of cruisers. Infomation about thefts is broadcast immediately by VHF channel 68 (Monday to Saturday at 8 am).

August 2009 it was reported that there is a dangerous submerged concrete post on the bay side of the Club Nautico entrance. It's marked with a white plastic container.

Last updated December 2011.

Club Nautico
19-50 Avenida Miramar Manga, Cartagena Colombia
Tel:(57-5) 660-4863, Fax:(57-5) 660-4863, VHF Channel 16
www.clubnauticocartagena.com/, clubnauticocartagena@gmail,com
Med-style mooring with 16 berths available. Work on-going to upgrade docks. Dinghy dock (approx. US$25/week). Club house still under construction (therefore no showers, restaurant & bar currently). Yachts anchoring off can use the club facilities for $2 per day. Contact club for repair facilities. Welcoming to visiting yachts. Wi-fi has been upgraded and is currently free - charges expected soon. There is a cruiser net on VHF channel 06.
Last updated July 2011.

Club de Pesca de Cartagena
Isla Manga
Tel:(57-5) 660-5578, Fax:(57-5) 660-5576
info@clubdepescadecartagena.com
Services: Secure slips, moderate-size synchro lift (30 ton), fuel dock, showers, phones, restaurant. Located in a fort built in 1749. Private yacht club. Premium location. Secure.

Manzanillo Marina Club
Calle Malaga Diag. No. 53-76 (Sector Zapatero) , Bosque, Cartagena
Tel:(+575) 669 4180. Mobile: (+57) 313 537 8723 , Fax:(+575) 669 4180, VHF Channel 78
gerentemmc@gmail.com
Family run marina and shipyard, contact Maurice Lemaitre. 40 ton travel lift (beam 20 ft). Dry storage, liveaboard slips, moorings and anchorage near docks. Power, water, showers, fuel dock, laundry service, 24 hr security. Recommended by cruisers. English spoken.

Todomar Marina
Cra 2a #15-364 Bocagrande, Cartagena
Tel:(57-5) 665-4177, Fax:(57-5) 665-5118, VHF Channel 72
todomar@ctgred.net.co
Services: limited number of slips, fuel dock.