Explore: Isla de Providencia
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General Info
COVID19: OPEN PORT
- Sea Borders opened on 24 June, 2022.
- See Biosecurity for full details.
Description:
This Colombian island lies midway between Costa Rica and Jamaica. It is connected to the smaller Santa Catalina Island by a 100m footbridge. With a long history of pirates and hidden treasure, it’s no surprise this is Colombia’s major scuba destination.
A scenic and friendly island, Providencia is convenient for a break on passage to/from Panama. Although a district of Columbia, it lies about 135NM east of the coast of Nicaragua and about 500NM from mainland Colombia.
Cruiser Highlights:
Protected harbor; quiet and undeveloped; helpful locals; reasonable provisioning; beautiful scenery; walks and climbs.
Entrance Notes and Cautions:
There is a significant datum offset (more than 200m) for both Navionics and C-Map electronic charting. This applies to Low Cay, north of Providencia and to Providencia Island itself. It may also apply to San Andres Island and to the Albuquerque Cays.
There are several channels leading into the port of Catalina. The primary channel is marked with six buoys and starts with the deep water buoy. Entering the harbor is straightforward
Position:
13° 22’48″N, 81° 22’19″W (Catalina)
Clearance
For detailed information on the formalities required for clearing into and out of Colombia go to Colombia Formalities.
For a list of agents see Clearance Agents.
ALERT FEBRUARY 2020 – CORONA VIRUS:
New procedures are in place in Providencia whereby all crew must have a medical check before checking in/leaving the vessel. Yachts are now required to go alongside a concrete dock for crew medical checks before anyone leaves the boat or starts to check-in. Call Port control and your agent (Agencia Maritima) on arrival – VHF Ch: 16 for guidance.
General Process:
Clearance formalities must be completed even if coming from mainland Colombia. Visas are not required, nor issued.
Clearance is required before anchoring anywhere on the Island, including Low Cay.
There are only 2 agents on the Island, either one can be used for clearing in and out. Contact “Mr Bush” or “Alex” on VHF Ch. 16 (not between 1200-1400 when the whole town shuts for lunch).
The agent will meet you on the jetty with the Immigration officials, port officials and island administration. Passports are sent to the airport for stamping and will be returned an hour or so later.
International clearance cost February 2020: $US 180
Domestic Clearance:
If coming from another Colombian port, simply notify the agent of your arrival.
Departure:
Make arrangements to clear out a day or two before you intend to leave as not all officials are available at the same time to do all the paperwork.
Last updated: February 2020
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Docking
Providencia Island (Catalina)
Has a buoyed approach. The main channel into the anchorage is well buoyed and well lit and so it is possible to enter safely at night.
Anchoring is good in the bay to port when you enter with depths from 5-15 feet in sand and turtle grass. This is a quiet and protected anchorage as long as there is not a big swell from the North.
Be careful not to anchor in the channel as it is used day and night by freighters. Watch out for the reef in the middle of the bay about 350 meters south of Santa Catalina Island. (Remember the big chart offset.)
Dinghies can be left at the dock to the left of the main pier; a stern anchor will be needed as there is quite a surge.
Low Cay
At the north end of the reef to the north of Providencia, Low Cay used to make a good night time anchorage if you arrived after dark from the north and didn’t want to attempt the approach to Providencia. However unfortunately now the authorities want all visiting vessels to clear-in before using Low Cay – so this option is no longer available.
Last updated: January 2018
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