From reading comments our expectations weren’t good arriving here. As it happens the options are many.

We first anchored in the bay in 4 meters water at 17.58 921N 66 37 381W. Good protection from the N and NW. With the katabatic effect, it’s dead calm at night. Good holding here. Dinghy ashore with good security at the small boat harbour, suitable for dinghy only 17 58 921N 66 37 381W. Local small powerboaters here, really friendly group of local types.

The second option, we also stayed at the Ponce Yacht and Fishing Club. We have a Leopard 40 cat, charged at $2.00 per foot, on a daily rate, cheaper if staying for a week. Friendly pleasant staff, perhaps not pushy and a little indifferent but nothing to complain about. They even arranged a monohull to move off the T slip so that I could tie up. I appreciated that.

I had an Amazon delivery sent here, again, the staff were helpful and didn’t see a problem with that.

Shopping is a little far to walk but a uber ride to Walmart cost $7.30 there and $8.40 back, again, no complaints.
The town is clean, the locals are friendly, a good stop in all respects. If I hadn’t been expecting an Amazon delivery, I would recommend anchoring in the bay, good security, right out in front of the water police. Great spot.

Posted on behalf of Kathleen Banks, s/v Legacy

A note on Ponce. Yes – it is a private club. They sell gas, diesel and beer by the case dockside. Prices are the same as in the USA. We did not get water as the attendant said they had installed new locks on the water and they were not working. You have to pull up to the dock and tie up yourself as the attendants are usually inside the attendant shack!

The Club does not allow cruisers day passes any longer, the attendant made that abundantly clear. Ponce is not the friendly spot it once was (as Van Zant described it), it is now a leisure club for the wealthy few, who have no interest in cruisers, except to sell fuel too.

Anchoring in Ponce is in 30ft of water, no shallow spots. If you do go ashore, expect to see customs at the dinghy dock shortly after you tie up. The office will not take English speaking calls and will hang up on you. It’s not a very friendly environment.

Kathleen Banks
s/v Legacy
Salinas, P R

I would like to let cruisers visiting Ponce, Puerto Rico to know about Luis Llorens who operates Llorens Boat Works and has personally performed work on our boat, Geronimo, on numerous occasions. He can do everything from painting your hull, repairs to fibreglass, epoxy, carbon fibre and other composites, and general boat repairs. If he can’t fix it for you here in Ponce, he can tell you who can, and you’ll find his prices very reasonable.

The reason I am adding this comment is that many times cruisers have visited Ponce and told me that they needed to find someone to work on their boat, but couldn’t find anyone there to help them and didn’t know who to contact. Ponce Yacht & Fishing Club can provide the haulout and Luis can work for your boat for a good price. For questions or quotes, contact Luis at 787-370-0278 or llorensglasswork@yahoo.com.

Bruno and Nanette Bruchhof
s/v Geronimo