COVID19: OPEN PORT

• Sea Borders opened on 1 December. 
• See Biosecurity for full details.
• A maritime agent must be contacted and terms agreed before sailing to Cartagena.
• They will require vessel documents and copies of all the crew passports, plus the completion of the standard Health declaration form (annex 8). Besides clarifying this requirement list your agent should also list any additional documents and forms needed onboard (they will become your legal representative).
• They should also clarify their charges. Fees can vary significantly between agencies. See here for a list.
• Finally, your agent will issue an arrival security number which is the key to entering the port.
• On approaching the Sea Buoy at Boca Chica (Or the small vessel entrance at Bocagrande) you must call Cartagena Port Control (Estacion de Control San Jose) VHF 16/14. They will ask for this security number.
• Cartagena Port Control have good English speakers and will give specific arrival instructions.
• The Traffic Controller will instruct arriving vessels to proceed to a designated anchorage zone.
• Be prepared to quarantine for one or two days and be inspected by the Regional Health Authority.
• The San Jose Coast Guard station (Guarda Costa San Jose) is known to be helpful. They can be hailed on VHF 16/14/13l. Humanitarian assistance will always be available.
• The island barrio of Manga, where the marinas are located, will remain under curfew restrictions between 21.00 and 05.00 each day until Dec 16. This same measure also applies to 8 or so distant barrios. Bio security measures are in force in public and in the marinas. 
• Full entry guidelines on the Club Nautico website: https://www.clubnauticocartagena.com/entry-guideline
• Yachts can sail to the Rosario Islands nearby but there are restrictions, such as you can’t go ashore at this time.
• The Old City is quiet at this time with far fewer tourists.
• The WhatsApp group called The United Cruisers Group, is very effective at providing advice and assistance.

Information confirmed by John Halley of the Club Nautico.

Description:

Cartagena is a popular place for yachts to stop prior to making their way to the Panama canal.

The government is trying hard to encourage this influx of visitors and there are plans to build two new marinas. In addition, the Club Nautico has been upgraded.

Cruiser Highlights: 

Good weather all year; lots of choice for haulout and repair work; excellent cruiser social scene; ideal place to leave the boat and explore inland; easy provisioning and shopping; history and culture; 

• Cartagena de Indias Cruisers’ Net (facebook page)
• Club Nautico Cartagena Cruisers’ Guide

Entrance Notes or Cautions:

Bahia de Cartagena is a well-protected anchorage. Entrances to the bay are through the large ship channel – the Boca Chica strait, or the northwest entrance – Boca Grande (Escollera). The Boca Chica entrance is easier and is the one used by most recreational sailors.

The Boca Grande entrance tends to be used by yachts coming from the north and east but should be approached with caution. The Colombian Navy has re-installed the red & green light to mark the small vessel channel at the Boca Grande entrance. Guaranteed “official” depth is about 8 feet, greater depth might be possible if there is limited swell and conditions are not otherwise unfavorable. Cruisers report the echo sounder never going below 3.2 meters. Advice is to follow the marked channel and don’t cut corners.

Position:

10° 23’17″N, 75° 34’13″W.