Explore: Santa Cruz de la Palma
General Info
This busy port is situated midway down the eastern shore of the island.
It is mandatory that visiting yachts call La Palma Port Control on VHF Channel 06 when 3.2 kms (two miles) out for permission to enter. They must also be contacted prior to departure.
Santa Cruz de la Palma – Reports from Cruisers
Position: 28º40.18′ N, 17º45.90′ W (harbour entrance).
Clearance
This is a Port of Entry.
See Canary Islands Formalities for full details of clearing into and out of the country.
Arriving yachts should proceed into the new marina.
The paperwork from the marina then needs to be taken to the Policia Nacional in the Maritime Passenger Station, is located inside the port terminal building on the pier where cruise and ferry passengers embark.
The Immigration office is also here. If you are not a citizen of an EU country, you will be sent here to pass through border control.
Office hours: 0800-1400 (but hours and days of opening do tend to vary).
It is permitted to stop at La Gomera or El Hierro after clearance, although the Policia Nacional does not have an office at either port which can handle clearance paperwork.
If you are clearing out of the Canaries from the best, it is advisable to ask first at the marina office when Customs / Immigration are open. Everyone on the boat must be present when checking out.
Last updated: October 2018
Docking
- Photo from http://www.caleromarinas.com/marinas/la-palma
Entrance:
On approach, beware of the rocks on the south and south-west side of the port. Be sure to give way to commercial and fishing vessels.
The entrance to the new marina is on the western side, near the Club Nautico.
Marina Information:
The marina offers good protection from all directions. A new anti-swell door has been installed and should help with the previous problem of swell from both the wind and commercial shipping/ferry movement. The door is operated with a traffic light system.
When mooring, It is advisable to use heavy dock lines, with chafe guards and plenty of fenders.
The marina is well-placed for visitors; located on the doorstep of La Palma’s historic capital and only 10 minutes from the international airport.
Last updated: October 2018
Yacht Clubs
In the harbour’s recent redevelopment, the small bay and beach next to the Club Nautico have been filled in to provide storage space for containers, so that the Club is now marooned ashore. The Club is famous for its hospitality, and now welcomes visiting yachts who are berthed at the new marina. Temporary membership is included in the marina docking fees and full use of the facilities at the club are permitted. These include formal dining, spectacular indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness centre and dinghy and kayak rentals.
