Explore: Ponce
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General Info
COVID19: OPEN PORT
- See Biosecurity for yachting protocols.
Description:
This is a good harbor on the south coast of the island, but it is difficult to visit the town for supplies due to the 6.4 km (four mile) walk and lack of public transport. Taxis are available, however.
Position:
17°57.93’N, 66°37.36’W (harbor)
Clearance
This is a Port of Entry.
See main Puerto Rico clearance page for full details on clearing into and out of PR.
The Caribbean Image Marina is the official Clearance Reporting dock.
You cannot anchor here and take the Customs/Immigration officials to your yacht.
US yachts in the LBO scheme may be able to phone or clear in at the customs office on Calle Salmon, about 2 miles walk along the waterfront.
See note below in docking about using the PYFC fuel dock for clearance.
Clearance not possible Saturday afternoon or on Sundays.
Last updated: November 2014.
Docking
The Ponce Yacht & Fishing Club is a private marina that has a few slips for rental on a daily basis. If you plan on renting a slip, you are permitted to use their fuel dock for FREE for clearing in. Their weekly rates for rental work out better value than paying the daily rate. Facilities are good (see below).
If however, you anchor, you must pay to use the fuel dock for clearance, which sometimes results in a 4-hour stay. During this time the club cannot sell fuel for the hours that the fuel dock is blocked and selling fuel to sport fishing boats is a significant profit centre for the club. Therefore, the Club charges $25 for boats under 40 ft and $50 for boats over 40 ft to use the fuel dock for clearance only.
Note that refuse CANNOT BE DISPOSED of without express permission of the Department of Agriculture, which is part of the group that clears a boat in. If rubbish is taken off the boat prior to permission being granted, the boat is subject to a $5,000 fine and the club can be fined as well.
Anchoring
If you choose to anchor in the harbour, it has been reported that the PYFC no longer offer use of their facilities to anchored boats for a nominal daily fee (which used to be $10 per person, per day). It is therefore difficult to find a safe dinghy dock to leave your dinghy at when going ashore. See Related User Comments for more information.
There is an anchorage outside the marina and a place to land and leave a dinghy north of it by a ramp. This pontoon, however, is used by commercial vessels and cruisers do risk damage to their dinghy if leaving it here.
It costs US$10 by taxi to get into town where there is a good range of shops and big cash and carry. There is also Sams Club, Walmart, Homedepot and well-known fashion outlets in town.
Last updated: March 2016.
Editor’s Note: E-mails to the PYFC asking for updates have gone unanswered.
Related Businesses
Caribbean Images Marina
Address: La Guancha, Ponce, Main Island, Puerto Rico, 00647
The official marina for clearance. Located in Ponce harbour.
6 visitors' berths. Reservation is possible. Dinghy dock. Water. Security gate.
Many services close by including fuel, provisions,... Read More
Ponce Yacht & Fishing Club (Club Nautico de Ponce)
Address: 3631 Paseo la Guancha, Ponce, Main Island, Puerto Rico,
Opening hours: Closed Saturday afternoon and Sunday all day.
Cruisers should be aware that this is a private club and not a commercial marina. The club's... Read More
Yacht Clubs
The Ponce Yacht and Fishing Club have a reputation of welcoming visiting sailors. The club facilities, including a travelift, may only be used by visitors if they are not being used for work on club members’ craft. Fuel and water are available.
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