Panama connects two oceans and two continents. Its northern coast is washed by the Caribbean Sea which is part of the Atlantic Ocean, its southern coast is washed by the Pacific Ocean and the Panama Canal traverses the country to connect the one with the other. The country is essentially a narrow isthmus that connects North America with South America. Colombia is its immediate neighbor to the south. Hundreds of yachts visit each year to enjoy sailing from Panama to Colombia.
A popular route stretches from the northern Panamanian coast through the Caribbean Sea to Cartagena, Barranquilla and then Santa Marta, three large cities along the northern coast of Colombia. This route covers a total distance of about 500 nautical miles, depending on the exact start- and end-points. Since the journey can take about five days of nonstop sailing, many yachts stagger their journey with at least one stop along the way.
A popular departure point is the waters near Colon, the main town at the Caribbean Sea entrance to the Panama Canal. The town sits at the tip of the eastern arm of Limon Bay (also known as the Bahia de Manzanillo), with the canal entrance at the head of that bay, south of the town. Colon operates as a significant commercial port, but it does not have berthing facilities for recreational vessels. As a result, many pleasure yachts arriving from the USA or Europe choose to dock at the Shelter Bay marina, situated three nautical miles west of Colon.
The Shelter Bay marina is a modern facility with top class marine equipment and excellent recreational amenities including a restaurant, bar, TV lounge, gym, pool, rest rooms and showers. Its provides excellent Wi-fi Internet connection throughout the compound, including the yacht berths.
Vessels that remain at the marina for more than a month receive the benefit of a discounted rate. The berths are designed mainly for monohulls; only a few berths are wide enough to accommodate catamarans. Bicycles are available for hire. There is tight security preventing access to the marina compound, including the docking area, by unauthorized individuals.
The marina is on land adjacent to the historic military site of US Fort Sherman, now named Fort San Lorenzo. Large sections of the fort are open as a tourist attraction. Some parts remain in active military service and used by Panamanian special forces.
After leaving Shelter Bay, many yachts head for the beautiful San Blas islands as a stopover. San Blas is a long archipelago of over 300 coral islets lying, for the most part, less than ten nautical miles off the Panama mainland. They extend along a northwest-southeast axis for about 100 nautical miles to almost reach (a point close to) Colombian waters.
The San Blas archipelago is populated by Guna (or Kuna) Indians, a distinctive indigenous native group with its own language and culture, originally from Colombia. The history of this native group stretches back more than five centuries to before the arrival of Columbus. The Guna have proudly kept their heritage intact. Many live a traditional life in simple cane and thatch huts, some without basic facilities such as electricity, running water or modern sanitation. They refused outsiders to study their traditions and culture until the middle of the twentieth century. The opportunity to visit the San Blas and interact with the Guna is a compelling prospect that drives some yacht cruisers to go sailing from Panama to Colombia.
A popular route stretches from the northern Panamanian coast through the Caribbean Sea to Cartagena, Barranquilla and then Santa Marta, three large cities along the northern coast of Colombia. This route covers a total distance of about 500 nautical miles, depending on the exact start- and end-points. Since the journey can take about five days of nonstop sailing, many yachts stagger their journey with at least one stop along the way.
A popular departure point is the waters near Colon, the main town at the Caribbean Sea entrance to the Panama Canal. The town sits at the tip of the eastern arm of Limon Bay (also known as the Bahia de Manzanillo), with the canal entrance at the head of that bay, south of the town. Colon operates as a significant commercial port, but it does not have berthing facilities for recreational vessels. As a result, many pleasure yachts arriving from the USA or Europe choose to dock at the Shelter Bay marina, situated three nautical miles west of Colon.
The Shelter Bay marina is a modern facility with top class marine equipment and excellent recreational amenities including a restaurant, bar, TV lounge, gym, pool, rest rooms and showers. Its provides excellent Wi-fi Internet connection throughout the compound, including the yacht berths.
Vessels that remain at the marina for more than a month receive the benefit of a discounted rate. The berths are designed mainly for monohulls; only a few berths are wide enough to accommodate catamarans. Bicycles are available for hire. There is tight security preventing access to the marina compound, including the docking area, by unauthorized individuals.
The marina is on land adjacent to the historic military site of US Fort Sherman, now named Fort San Lorenzo. Large sections of the fort are open as a tourist attraction. Some parts remain in active military service and used by Panamanian special forces.
After leaving Shelter Bay, many yachts head for the beautiful San Blas islands as a stopover. San Blas is a long archipelago of over 300 coral islets lying, for the most part, less than ten nautical miles off the Panama mainland. They extend along a northwest-southeast axis for about 100 nautical miles to almost reach (a point close to) Colombian waters.
The San Blas archipelago is populated by Guna (or Kuna) Indians, a distinctive indigenous native group with its own language and culture, originally from Colombia. The history of this native group stretches back more than five centuries to before the arrival of Columbus. The Guna have proudly kept their heritage intact. Many live a traditional life in simple cane and thatch huts, some without basic facilities such as electricity, running water or modern sanitation. They refused outsiders to study their traditions and culture until the middle of the twentieth century. The opportunity to visit the San Blas and interact with the Guna is a compelling prospect that drives some yacht cruisers to go sailing from Panama to Colombia.
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