Cristobal (Colon) : Profile

Clearance

Cristobal Signal Station should be contacted on VHF Channels 12 or 16 and the yacht will be directed to anchor at the designated yacht anchorage in the Flats (free), or proceed directly to Shelter Bay Marina (VHF channel 74). (Note: advance reservation is recommended for Shelter Bay Marina).

The captain should go ashore and clear Immigration first (see "getting ashore" below under "Docking"). The office is open 07:00-15:00 Monday to Friday. After hours clearance can be obtained from the Immigration office in Cristobal. Next the captain should go to the Autoridad Portuaria (port authority) to clear into Panama and obtain a cruising permit. The Port Captain's office is in the Panama Canal Commission building 1105, 3rd floor.

Clearance is completed at the Port Authority.

If intending to transit the Canal, see here for the correct procedure to follow once clearing-in to Panama has been completed.

Whether you are at Shelter Bay Marina or anchored at the Flats, the service of agents are available for both clearance and/or canal transits if yachts are prepared to pay for the service and don't want to do the paperwork etc. themselves. See agents for more details.

It is considered dangerous to walk anywhere at any time, day or night, so a taxi should be used at all times to visit the various offices.

Last updated February 2010.

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.

[Show additional 5 entries for this category]

Docking

Visiting yachts have a choice of staying at the new marina at Shelter Bay (advisable to book in advance) or anchoring out in the Flats "Anchorage Area F" (for small boats and vessels), which is free. It is not possible to anchor off the marina, the only yachts that anchor here are those waiting a few hours for a slip to become available.

Anchorages
There is a very small (unofficial) anchorage area off the Club Nautico Colon, on the east side of Colon at Manzanillo Bay. This Club was generally not considered by visiting yachts when the Panama Canal Yacht Club existed, but is now seen as an alternative. If you want to anchor off the club for a day or two and pay to use their landing, ask permission first on VHF or call 507-441-2220. If they have a tournament coming up, they may say no. They are a private club, not a marina.

Current information for folks who use or plan to anchor at Club Nautico while in Panama.

Cruisers report that Largo Remo Island just a couple miles east from Colon breakwaters, has a sheltered anchoring corner (avoid shipping lanes into Las Minas), and someone is attempting to install inexpensive moorings and make a little marina out of it.

Getting Ashore
If anchored in the Flats, there is no longer any official dinghy landing area here. It is possible to use the official launch service which services the commercial vessels. This brings you ashore in the commercial Port of Cristobal, however this service is very expensive. Some locals, like Tito, offer an unofficial shore service, landing around dock 16 Cristobal or dock 5 in Colon, the latter not being in a safe area of Colon!

Unofficially, you can land at an area close to the entrance to Pier 16 in Cristobal Port. This Pier is just east of the Flats and is a very short run. You can land here but there are no facilities to leave the dinghy. Normally you can find a taxi at the entrance to the Pier.

Wildlife
Alligators are present here (up to approx. 4ft long). Alligators (Caimanes) are a common feature of the Panama coastline, and you may be fortunate enough to see a 13 footer in Gatun lake while crossing the canal, but these are rare. It's also important to be aware that there are manantees, should you be carrying out any underwater jobs.

Last updated November 2011.

Club Nautico Colon
City of Colon, east by Manzanillo Bay, Colon, Panama R.P
Tel:507-441-2220
Position 09°21.9 N, 79°53.6 W.
Small private sportfishing club. Restricted shallow area immediately off the Club has room for approx. 5 cruising boats to anchor, however this is not a designated anchorage. Surrounded by commercial shipping activities. Good nearby shopping for food, hardware, etc. and a short taxi ride to the $3 Panama bus. metal dinghy dock in front of restaurant - $5/day. Jerry water and fuel. Garbage disposal & cold showers $20. Restaurant. Parking in outside locked area for your rental car (tip the guard). Reports Nov. 2011 are that the club is investigating / planning to dredge the area in front of the clubhouse and restaurant and install some docks for transient boats.

Shelter Bay Marina
Fort Sherman, Building 30, Shelter Bay, Colon, Panama
Tel:+ (507) 433-3581, Fax:+ (507) 433 3681, VHF Channel 74
info@shelterbaymarina.com
Opening Hours: Office Hours 08:00 - 17:00
A new marina with 86 berths, located inside the military area, and a high standard of facilities. Run by a team who are professional, courteous but firm. All facilities, wi-fi (extra), 100 ton haulout facility, laundry, regular daily transport to/from Colon (free weekday mornings) and provision stores. Dry storage yard for long term storage as well as a work area. Dock 200 feet long for mega-yachts. Fuel, LPG refils, clearance services, bar and restaurant, chandlery on site with limited stock. Good 24hr security. Marina Manager: John Halley.
MAILING ADDRESS - Yacht in Transit "Boat Name", Shelter Bay Marina, Fort Sherman, Building 30, Colon, Panama
When entering the marina you are advised to keep 30 feet off the headland to your port side. The channel can accomodate vessels with 25 feet draft. It is imprtant to follow the green channel marker approaching the marina.

Yacht Clubs

Club Nautico Colon [see above]