 San Juan del Sur : Profile
Latitude 11 15.14 N Longitude 085 52.61 W. Bahia San Juan Del Sur is the southernmost port of entry/exit in Nicaragua and is a popular stop over for vessels entering or departing the country.
SJdS is a surfing town, and there are constantly people surfing
inside the anchorage. The large crescent shaped bay is open to the prevailing SW swell which enters the bay unabated. Cruisers have reported that a five foot swell is the
norm in the anchorage.
Even with these challenges however, SJdS is the best of the local anchorages.
The shipyard here is recommended as a place to dry store your boat.
On arrival, visit the Port Captain's office - conveniently located within the shipyards compound - to deal with clearance. Ensure you visit the correct compound (i.e. the Military side of the blue fence closest to the shore) in order to pay the correct officials and receive the proper clearance papars. See report on San Juan del Sur
The authorities may undertake a brief search of the boat - lockers etc.
National zarpes are US$10 and international US$30. The Immigration Officer's house is a pleasant walk away on the hill.
If San Juan Del Sur is your first Nicaraguan port of entry, the fee to Immigration is $12.00. There is also a one-off $15 duty applied to International flagged vessels upon arrival, and $15 on departure. (The duty on national Nicaraguan registered vessels is $10.00 in, $10.00 out.) The Transporte Acuatico in San Juan del Sur now charges $50 per month
for permission to navigate in Nicaraguan waters.
Last updated December 2011.
The wind here blows consistently from the east/shore, so shelter from
wind and waves is good, even though the wind funnels into the bay. A breakwater is in the planning.
It is best to anchor at least 90 metres from the shore to avoid any swell on the starboard side of the bay. The holding is good in the sandy bottom, however the prevailing SW swell enters the bay unabated so it is advisable to ensure the anchor is well dug in.
Cruisers recommend not to leave a boat unattended at anchor, as the winds can be severe and there is so much debris in the harbour you cannot trust the anchor set. Do not anchor in the harbour in October as the storms are
dangerous then.
There is no official dinghy dock here and cruisers who have visited advise that putting your dinghy on the beach is a guarantee that it will be stolen. Arrangements to get ashore by water taxi can be made with Che who operates a little green tugboat shuttle service. Water taxi runs from 0700 to 1800 at $2.50 per trip.
There is a floating barge on the military side of the docks that will sometimes allow 1 or 2 inflatables to tie up, but it is subject to whim and not allowed if a cruise liner is in port and using it. Ask permission at the office.
Bahia Toro is about 2.5 miles north and there is space for 2 or 3 boats to anchor with some protection. Anchor near the other sailboats as there are numerous wrecks on the bottom near the fishing boat moorings.
Last updated December 2011.
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