Providencia : Profile

Location

A pleasant and friendly island and convenient for a break on passage to/from Panama. Although a district of Coloumbia, it lies about 135NM east of the coast of Nicaragua.

Note: There is a significant datum offset (more than 200 metres) for both Navionics and C-Map electronic charting. This applies to Low Cay, north of Providencia and to Providencia Island itself. It may also apply to San Andres Island and to the Albuquerque Cays.

Clearance

The port captain should be contacted (if possible) on Channel 16. He will recommend the use of an agent for clearance formalities, which must be completed even if coming from mainland Colombia. Visas are not required, nor issued.

A recommened agent is Mr Bush (contact Bernardo, VHF ch.16) or ask in the village where he might be found. He will arrange for officials to deal with all the paperwork. It might take a day or two for everything to be completed. His fee is $100 (2010).

Last updated February 2010.

Port Captain
VHF Channel 13, 14, 16
JEFCP012@dimar.mil.co

Docking

Low Cay - at the north end of the reef to the north of Providencia, makes a good night time anchorage if you arrive after dark from the north and don't want to attempt the approach to Providencia.

Providencia Island - has a buoyed approach. Be careful not to anchor in the channel as it is used day and night by freighters. Watch out for the reef in the middle of the bay about 350 metres south of Santa Catalina island. (Remember the big chart offset.)

There is a good dinghy dock to the left of the main dock and many armed soldiers, so good security.

Last updated August 2009.

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