Bahia del Sol - Docking
Bahia del Sol Anchoring:
If entry to the estuary is not possible, you can anchor in 30-35 feet, west of the pilot meeting area. There is good holding in sand, but regular swell can make this temporary roadstead anchorage uncomfortable.
Alternatively you can find shelter 27NM south in Barillias or in the Gulf of Fonseca which is 52NM south.
Inside the estuary there is good holding in 15-20ft sand/mud.
Bahia del Sol Moorings:
La Palma has 18 floating moorings for yachts – two week minimum ($75). The Pilot fee is discounted if staying on a mooring. One month, $25 discount, two or more months $50 discount. Contact “Bill and Jean” on the VHF for information (monitored 24hrs/day).
Hotel Bahia del Sol has 4 moorings. Contact “Hotel Bahía del Sol” on the VHF for information (monitored 24hrs/day). The pilot boat charge is $50 each way and there is no discount for staying in the marina.
Bahia del Sol Dinghy Dock:
For boats at anchor or on moorings the hotel offers use of its facilities for a weekly charge. Facilities include: dinghy dock, hotel swimming pool, laundry, showers, WiFi and you also get 30 % off all restaurant and bar bills.
Bahia del Sol Marinas:
The Hotel Bahia del Sol has a small marina, a pilot service (fee payable), clearance officials on-site, fuel, and much more. See their listing below for more details. A second marina is further into the estuary. See Related Businesses below for more details on marinas.
Last updated: February 2023
If you have information for this section, or feedback on businesses used, please let us know at [email protected]. We also welcome new information about businesses you have used (see Related Businesses).
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Related to following destinations: Bahia del Sol, El Salvador
Port Navigation
Courtesy Flag Discounts
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Courtesy Flag Discounts
YachtFlags.com provides high quality courtesy flags that are manufactured in durable Knitted Polyester fabric. Knitted so that the fabric itself does not deteriorate in the constant movement that marine flags are usually exposed to, and polyester so that the flag does not weaken in the strong UV-light usually found in the main sailing areas of the world.
YachtFlags.com offers a discount to Noonsite members.
Use the coupon code NOONSITE_5A2B when checking out to get 10% off today.
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On March 7rh 2024, a Moody sailboat with 6’9″ draft went hard aground while crossing the bar. Boat was laid over on its side and subsequently lost its keel and rudder. The boat was quickly looted and was a total loss. The boat and owner had been into Bahia del Sol before and was under the guidance of the bar pilot. The pilot boat has no depth sounder or sonar equipment.
The previously derelict 30 ton travel lift on Isla Cordoncillo has been refurbished and relocated to Paradise Fishing Lodge where it is expected to begin regular operation this season. Services and storage are being reworked, contact Paradise Fishing Lodge for details.
Bill and Jean are the organizers of the annual El Salvador rally, and They also are the organizers of the pilot boat. You can contact them in advance via email at [email protected] and they will offer advice on when to schedule your bar crossing and what conditions are likely to be like. You can hail them on Ch 16 when within range of the estuary.
They are also hosts extraordinare and have connections to find what you need in El Salvador, and also host a weekly cruisers get together at their home on Isla cordoncillo.