Colombia Anchorages
We used the Frank Virgintino Colombia to Rio Dulce Cruising Guide which we found very useful.
Ensenada Guaritcheru
Last Visited – December 2018
Where We Anchored – 12 11 79 N 72 09 43 W
We did a quick overnight stop in this anchorage en-route from Aruba to Santa Marta. The bay is large, but care needs to be taken to dodge the numerous fishing pots. The holding was good which was helpful in this very windy location. We didn't venture ashore, but others who did advised it was a good spot for a few days.
Last Visited – December 2018
Where We Anchored – 12 11 79 N 72 09 43 W
We did a quick overnight stop in this anchorage en-route from Aruba to Santa Marta. The bay is large, but care needs to be taken to dodge the numerous fishing pots. The holding was good which was helpful in this very windy location. We didn't venture ashore, but others who did advised it was a good spot for a few days.
Santa Marta
Last Visited – January 2019
We loved our time in Santa Marta (see the blog) and found the service and facilities at the marina to be good. The catabatic winds did howl through on a regular basis which unfortunately meant we received regular dust coverings. The water on the dock was a fixed price for the duration of our stay, so at least we could wash the boat down everyday. The quayside area in front of the mini-market was a great spot to have drinks or bbq parties with fellow cruisers whilst we watched the sun go down.
Last Visited – January 2019
We loved our time in Santa Marta (see the blog) and found the service and facilities at the marina to be good. The catabatic winds did howl through on a regular basis which unfortunately meant we received regular dust coverings. The water on the dock was a fixed price for the duration of our stay, so at least we could wash the boat down everyday. The quayside area in front of the mini-market was a great spot to have drinks or bbq parties with fellow cruisers whilst we watched the sun go down.
Approaching Santa Marta
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View from the marina
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Puerto Valero
Last Visited – January 2018
Where We Anchored - 10 56 08 N 75 02 05 W
A windy anchorage at the time we visited and we were the only yacht there. Holding was very good. There seemed to be lots of resort related activity in the bay and there were many yachts in the marina, but we didn't have time to venture ashore on this visit, so cannot really comment further.
Last Visited – January 2018
Where We Anchored - 10 56 08 N 75 02 05 W
A windy anchorage at the time we visited and we were the only yacht there. Holding was very good. There seemed to be lots of resort related activity in the bay and there were many yachts in the marina, but we didn't have time to venture ashore on this visit, so cannot really comment further.
Cartegena
Last Visited – January 2018
Where We Anchored – 10 24 97 N 75 32 84 W
We had a fantastic anchorage spot here, with a view over the old walled city, the high rise blocks of Boccagrande and with access to Club de Pesca. We were advised to use the south entrance which added a few extra miles to our journey, but did offer great views of the forts at the entrance to the well marked channel.
Last Visited – January 2018
Where We Anchored – 10 24 97 N 75 32 84 W
We had a fantastic anchorage spot here, with a view over the old walled city, the high rise blocks of Boccagrande and with access to Club de Pesca. We were advised to use the south entrance which added a few extra miles to our journey, but did offer great views of the forts at the entrance to the well marked channel.
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Playa Blanca
Last Visited – Janaury 2018
Where We Anchored – 10 14 72 N 75 37 11 W
We had a quick trip down to Playa Blanca for lunch and found the bay to be large and with good sandy holding. The wind picked up after lunch and the anchorage became a little bouncy. If we had decided to spend the night, we would probably have moved further into the bay.
Last Visited – Janaury 2018
Where We Anchored – 10 14 72 N 75 37 11 W
We had a quick trip down to Playa Blanca for lunch and found the bay to be large and with good sandy holding. The wind picked up after lunch and the anchorage became a little bouncy. If we had decided to spend the night, we would probably have moved further into the bay.
Isles de Rosario
Last Visited – January 2018
Where We Anchored – 10 10 47 N 75 43 92 W
We only did a whistle stop at Rosario in order to sleep before continuing south. The holding was good and friends advised that there were nice walks and bars ashore.
Last Visited – January 2018
Where We Anchored – 10 10 47 N 75 43 92 W
We only did a whistle stop at Rosario in order to sleep before continuing south. The holding was good and friends advised that there were nice walks and bars ashore.
Tintipan
Last Visited - January 2019
Where We Anchored - 09 47 29 N 75 50 51 W
The anchorage area has large areas of coral so we were pleased to finally find a nice sandy spot to drop anchor in, without damaging the coral any further. The island is mainly private residences and we were not able go ashore to explore. We were able to dinghy up to visit Isla Islote which we had seen in a BBC video, but felt that we were intruding in their village. They do welcome visitors however and have a few small shops and bars.
Last Visited - January 2019
Where We Anchored - 09 47 29 N 75 50 51 W
The anchorage area has large areas of coral so we were pleased to finally find a nice sandy spot to drop anchor in, without damaging the coral any further. The island is mainly private residences and we were not able go ashore to explore. We were able to dinghy up to visit Isla Islote which we had seen in a BBC video, but felt that we were intruding in their village. They do welcome visitors however and have a few small shops and bars.
View of Tintipan
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View of Isla Islote
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Isla Fuerte
Last Visited - January 2019
09 22 51 N 76 10 88 W
We really enjoyed our few days at Isla Fuerte and were pleasantly surprised to find several shops, bars, restaurants and a pharmacy. We would certainly recommend the laid back feel of La Playita where had meals and drinks overlooking the water, whilst getting our internet fix. We did a couple of walks around the island to find the Walking Tree and the Tam Tam Tree, encountering a young man with a baby sloth on the way.
Last Visited - January 2019
09 22 51 N 76 10 88 W
We really enjoyed our few days at Isla Fuerte and were pleasantly surprised to find several shops, bars, restaurants and a pharmacy. We would certainly recommend the laid back feel of La Playita where had meals and drinks overlooking the water, whilst getting our internet fix. We did a couple of walks around the island to find the Walking Tree and the Tam Tam Tree, encountering a young man with a baby sloth on the way.
Our Isla Fuerte anchorage view
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View from La Playita
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San Andres
Last Visited – March 2019
Where We Anchored – 12 34 52 N 81 41 48 W
The entrance is well marked with safe water mark and red and green buoys. We tried to anchor on the west of Cotton Island, but found the holding very poor – debris and weed. We then anchored on the east of Cotton Island and found the holding excellent. The local tourist boats and jets skis to wizz up and down causing wake on occasions, but it was not a great problem. San Andres Port Control monitor traffic into and out of the island and were very polite and welcoming.
As part of the Suzie Too Rally we paid for access to Club Nautico which provided access to the middle of town, rubbish facilities, bar/restaurant and internet (sometimes !). The water around the anchorage area is wonderfully clear and we often saw rays swimming past the boat. There are numerous shops and restaurants here, but sourcing boat parts was tricky in some areas.
Last Visited – March 2019
Where We Anchored – 12 34 52 N 81 41 48 W
The entrance is well marked with safe water mark and red and green buoys. We tried to anchor on the west of Cotton Island, but found the holding very poor – debris and weed. We then anchored on the east of Cotton Island and found the holding excellent. The local tourist boats and jets skis to wizz up and down causing wake on occasions, but it was not a great problem. San Andres Port Control monitor traffic into and out of the island and were very polite and welcoming.
As part of the Suzie Too Rally we paid for access to Club Nautico which provided access to the middle of town, rubbish facilities, bar/restaurant and internet (sometimes !). The water around the anchorage area is wonderfully clear and we often saw rays swimming past the boat. There are numerous shops and restaurants here, but sourcing boat parts was tricky in some areas.
