Balboa : Profile

Clearance

Flamenco Signal Station should be contacted on VHF Channels 12 or 16 upon arrival at the sea buoy.

Yachts are sometimes boarded by authorities prior to anchoring at one of the Yacht Clubs or Marinas. If this is the case, you will be advised by the Flamenco Signal Station.

Clearance and Immigration procedures are completed ashore at their respective offices.

Last updated February 2009.

Match Shipping Management Tel:+507-232-6447 / +507-232-8924 Match Shipping Management Noonsite Page, www.matchship.com, info@matchship.com Agents for canal transit.

Triton Ship Supplier, S.A Manuel Amador Guerrero Ave. and Arnulfo Arias M. Ave., , 836 Bldg. office 15A 2nd. floor, Ancon, Panama Tel:(507) 3141493 / (507) 2026174 / (507) 66132843, Fax:(507) 3141493 www.tritoncorppanama.com, hrodriguez@tritoncorppanama.com Manage every aspect of the logistics and legal documentation for your vessel.

[Show additional 4 entries for this category]

Docking

The Pacific Ocean entrance channel to the Canal is protected on the east by a breakwater called "The Causeway" that extends south two miles from Balboa on the mainland to four interconnected islands, Naos, Perico, Flamenco and Culebra.

Moorings/Marinas
Balboa Yacht Club is is south of Balboa commercial Port and close to the Bridge of the Americas (on left side just after passing the bridge when outward bound).

The Flamenco Marina is constantly being expanded. It has very few buoys but the floating piers now have many slips. Although mostly occupied by local boats, there is some pier space available for visitors.

There is also a marina at the Miramar Inter-Continental in Panama City, but it is tidal and has severe draft restrictions. Berths may also be available at neighbouring Club de Pesca.

Anchoring
After a period of restriction, yachts have again been able to anchor on the west side of The Causeway between Perico and Flamenco when the wind was blowing out of the east, or on the east side of The Causeway when the wind is out of the south or west (see details below).

Anchorage Options:
East of The Causeway, north of Isla Perico. This anchorage tends to be used during the rainy season due to frequent southerly or southwesterly winds. A landing was constructed on the northside of Isla Perico next to the project Brisas de Amador. This landing is closer to the anchorage than the landing at Flamenco Marina, however as the developer encountered some "problems" with the Government concerning a landfill related to the project, the future use of the landing is somewhat uncertain.

West side of The Causeway, north of Isla Flamenco, west of Isla Perico and south of Isla Naos/Isla Culebra (La Playita Anchorage). In the normal sailing season this is a comfortable anchorage, although open to the south and subject to wash from the many passing vessels.

It is now $30 per week or $100 per month for use of the dinghy dock at both La Playita Anchorage and Flamenco marina - there is no longer a daily rate.

Last updated February 2010.

Balboa Yacht Club
Amador Causeway, Panama City, (next to Country Inn & Suites Hotel / Fridays Restaurant)
Tel:+507 228 5794, VHF Channel 6
bycmarina@cwpanama.net
Position 8°56.09N, 79°33.28W. The clubhouse is now rebuilt and offers good facilities to visiting yachtsmen. The fee for obtaining a temporary mooring ball is $0.65 per foot per day. If you remain more than 6 months the fee is reduced. There is also a slipway, showers, laundry, WiFi, fuel, restaurant and bar and 24hr water taxi service. You can get diesel at the dock but call ahead. If you purchase fuel you can usually fill your water tanks at no additional charge.

Flamenco Marina
Isla Flamenco, Calizada de Amador, Apdo 6464 Zone 5, Republic de Panama
Tel:507-314-0665, VHF Channel 10
marina@fuerteamador.com
Opening Hours: 08:00-18:00
There are only twelve slips at this point at $2.50 a foot per day; the moorings are 50 cents a foot per day. Water, fuel, WiFi, dinghy landing, 150 ton travelift. The marina office is situated near the fuel Pontoon.

Miramar Inter-Continental hotel
Plaza Miramar, Avenida Balboa, Panama City
Tel:(507) 214 1000, Fax:(507) 214 1002
Berthing and fuel available here, but draft restrictions due to the tide. Located right in city centre.

Yacht Clubs

Located at the entrance of the Canal on the east side of the channel, is the Balboa Yacht Club in Balboa Harbour (see full details in docking). Care must be taken to enter and turn right at buoy 14.5. Turning sooner will run you aground. It can be rolly here, but is a good place to be when arranging for an advisor to board your boat for the Canal transit. It is also a safe place to leave your boat if you travel.

Balboa Yacht Club [see above]

Page Sponsor

Related Reports

Update on Panama Canal Traffic (22 Mar 2010)

Panama Advance Notification – The Reality (05 Mar 2010)

Transiting the Panama Canal – A Cruiser’s View (23 Feb 2010)

Panama Canal Agents: Beware! (15 Feb 2010)

The Panama Canal - Update On Current Situation  (28 Jan 2010)

Panama Maritime Authority Request Legalisation of Maritime Services (01 Jan 2010)

New Edition of The Panama Cruising Guide Published (29 Dec 2009)

In Praise of Shelter Bay Marina (13 Dec 2009)

Pacific Panama - Discover Golfo de Montijo (22 Nov 2009)

Panama Update - October 2009 (02 Nov 2009)

Panama Canal Transit - Cruisers Notes (28 Sep 2009)

Panama-Galapagos-Ecuador (26 Sep 2009)

Venezuela to Canada (15 Sep 2009)

Cruising Permit Update (Permiso de Navegacion) - with update on extensions (23 Aug 2009)

Anchoring in Panama (20 Jun 2009)

MatchShip Panama – Current Regulations for Yachts (02 Jun 2009)

Bocas Yacht Club Marina - Response to Cruising Permit Report (21 May 2009)

Update on Panama Canal Waiting Times (20 May 2009)

Panama to Windward Islands (15 May 2009)

Panama to Callao, Peru in June  (27 Apr 2009)

Panama Canal Yacht Club is Closed (15 Apr 2009)

Panama To The Galapagos (10 Feb 2009)

Safe Marina Pacific Side of Panama? (29 Dec 2008)

Spanish for Cruisers - 2nd Edition (30 Nov 2008)

Central America Cruising Guides  (01 Nov 2008)

Caribbean: Reported Crime Incidents Against Yachts, 2005-2008 (26 Aug 2008)

Pacific Planning Advice - by Jimmy Cornell (10 Jul 2008)

Is the Panama Canal back to Normal? (20 Jun 2008)

Cruising and Enjoying the San Blas Islands – April 2008 (10 Jun 2008)

Cruising Report: Panama Canal Transit (09 Jun 2008)

Panama to Marquesas in February (22 May 2008)

Panama to Chile - Advice Sought  (15 May 2008)

Panama to Victoria, B.C. (14 May 2008)

Belize to Panama (14 May 2008)

USA to Panama in April (14 May 2008)

Ecuador to Panama in December (14 May 2008)

Advice On Panama Transit (14 May 2008)

More on Panama Canal Delays (14 Apr 2008)

Butane Availability In Caribbean & Pacific (28 Feb 2008)

South Pacific Logistics (21 Jan 2008)

Fishing Boats - Panama to Galapagos (15 Sep 2007)

Report on Panama Canal Transit (29 Aug 2007)

Living In Panama (28 Jul 2007)

Transiting the Panama Canal - Using an Agent - A Great Marina on the Atlantic Side (16 May 2007)

Shelter Bay Marina Update (16 May 2007)

Panama: To use an agent or not? (02 May 2007)

Cruising Report On Panama (16 Apr 2007)

PAPAGAYO SAILING CUP 2007  (25 Jan 2007)

New Marina Facility at Boca Chica, Chiriqui (25 Jan 2007)

Cruising Report on Sapzurro (15 Jan 2007)

Panamanians Vote For Canal Expansion (01 Nov 2006)

Visiting Yachts Still Welcome in Panama (04 Aug 2006)

Panama Canal - Using an agent (26 Jun 2006)

Annother Positive Panama-Galapagos Crossing (03 Jun 2006)

New Fees May Be Charged For Panamian Entry (28 May 2006)

Latest Situation For Balboa Yacht Club (11 Apr 2006)

Delays On Yacht Transits Still Possible (06 Apr 2006)

Feedback on ideas for new marina at Pacific entrance Panama (20 Jan 2006)

Captain’s Guide to Transiting the Panama Canal: General Update November 2005 (06 Dec 2005)

Yachting Tourism - No Room at the Inn? (25 Nov 2005)

Panama Canal To Galapagos Cruising Report 2005 (12 Jul 2005)

Good and Bad news from Panama (21 Jun 2005)

Cruising Notes Costa Rica, Cocos Island (24 May 2005)

Cruising Notes for the Panama Canal April 2005 (12 May 2005)

Positive Experience From Panama Canal To Galapagos (11 Apr 2005)

Update from Panama Spring 2004 (15 Nov 2004)

Is A Late Transit Of Panama Canal Feasible? (12 Nov 2004)

Big Improvement To Panama Facilities: October 2004 Update (18 Oct 2004)

Report On Using An Agent Through Panama Canal 2004 (22 Jul 2004)

Refuelling in the Marquesas (03 May 2004)

Repairs in Panama (26 Mar 2003)

Panama Canal Transit: A Great Day Out! (17 Mar 2003)

New Comprehensive Cruising Guide for Panama (24 Feb 2003)

Panama Canal Transits No Longer Allowed to Be Interrupted at Pedro Miguel (23 Feb 2003)

New expanded "Cruising Ports: Florida to California via Panama" now published (07 Jan 2003)

Panama Canal Updates (20 Nov 2002)

Suggestions for Safety of Yachts in Canal Transit (20 Nov 2002)

Additional Fees for Panama Canal Transits (15 Oct 2002)

Panama Canal Transit (30 Jul 2001)

Eastern San Blas (13 Jun 2001)

Related News

Panama Canal - Official Agent Listing Available Soon (21 Oct 2009)

Transit Fees for the Panama Canal (02 Jun 2009)

The Panama Cruising Permit - "Permiso de Navegacion" (18 May 2009)

Update on the Panama Canal (13 Mar 2009)

Panama Canal Transit Season - Update on Waiting Times (21 Feb 2009)

Panama: All Visiting Yachts Now Required to Pre-Register Arrival Information (11 Feb 2009)

Panama Canal Transit Season - Current Waiting Times (09 Feb 2009)

Confusion in the San Blas Islands (17 Sep 2008)

Is the Panama Canal back to Normal? (20 Jun 2008)

Panama Canal Long Delays Solved by Yacht Being Trucked Across Isthmus (01 May 2008)

Waiting Times at Panama Canal Worsen (16 Apr 2008)

Waiting Times at Panama Canal Get Worse (11 Apr 2008)

Pilot Slowdown Causes Canal Delays (26 Mar 2008)

Lengthy Delays For Yachts Transiting Panama Canal (21 Mar 2008)

Update on Panama Canal Transits  (10 May 2007)

El Nino and Pacific Passage Planning: Responses (15 Jan 2007)

Galapagos Restrictions (03 Nov 2006)

Yacht Blue Dolphin Arrives Safely In Galapagos (09 Oct 2006)

New US Immigration Requirements (02 Aug 2006)

Good News From Panama: A New Marina On The Caribbean Side (21 Jun 2006)

Ecuadorean Authorities Ease Galapagos Restrictions (05 Apr 2006)

Caribbean Marine Association Formally Launched (27 Feb 2006)

Spies, Crooks and Others Along the Way: Noonsite Book Of The Month (10 Feb 2006)

Noonsite Ports Of The Month: Balboa and Colon, Panama (07 Feb 2006)

More News - Good and Bad - From Panama (21 Sep 2005)

Panama Canal Authority Tightens Screws On Yachts (16 Sep 2005)

Seeking French Yacht Athanor (25 Apr 2005)

Ecuador’s Puerto Lucia Provides A Perfect Base En Route to the South Seas (05 Sep 2003)

Panama’s Pedro Miguel Boat Club Threatened With Extinction (18 Jul 2003)

Satisfactory Conclusion to Panama Canal Accident (23 Nov 2002)

Panama Canal Tighten Rules for Cruising Yachts with Modest Fee Increase (13 Oct 2002)

Panama Canal Raises Fees But Yachts May Not Be Affected (10 Jun 2002)