Punta Balsa
We anchored at 08 04.589N 82 50.969W
15ft of water
SUMMARY
Fuel - No
Cell Service - Mostly No Service but occasional very weak connection.
Wifi - No
Dingy Landing - We didn’t go ashore but it should be easy
Garbage - No
Potable Water - No
Showers - No
Laundry - No
Groceries- Yes
ATM - No
Water Taxi - No
Cell Service - Mostly No Service but occasional very weak connection.
Wifi - No
Dingy Landing - We didn’t go ashore but it should be easy
Garbage - No
Potable Water - No
Showers - No
Laundry - No
Groceries- Yes
ATM - No
Water Taxi - No
Punta Balsa
The main reason to stop here is to avoid doing an overnight passage to or from Golfito. From here it is only about 55 – 60 miles and so for most people this makes it doable in a day. This seemed like a better option than doing an overnight trip and having to dodge fishing traffic in the dark. We did dodge a few pangas and black flags right off Punta Burica on our trip in so be sure to look for them on the way through.
We also got a visit from the Panama "Guarda Costa" after we rounded the point. 6 men with machine guns in a Heavy Panga. Thankfully they were all very nice and friendly. They just asked a few questions and took photos of our passports then were on their way.
We also got a visit from the Panama "Guarda Costa" after we rounded the point. 6 men with machine guns in a Heavy Panga. Thankfully they were all very nice and friendly. They just asked a few questions and took photos of our passports then were on their way.
We anchored out front of the large hotel/estate that had a low orange wall around the yard. There is a panga mooring out front here so be careful if you decide to approach at night. You should be aware that the shelf here drops off rapidly and also shoals rapidly if you venture too far. We made sure our anchor was well set and kept our swing radius tighter than normal (shorter scope...).
Shoals extending far out to the south
If you choose to stop here you will also want to remember that it is a roadstead anchorage. There is no bay to provide protection from the swell. You get a bit of relief from the shoals to the south but it does get a little rolly depending on the wind and the tide. It’s still worth the stop but next time we would put out the flopper stopper to keep the worst of it in check. It may also be better from Nov to April when there is typically a much smaller swell running.
As a last little note we had a bunch of termites flying around the boat at dusk. Probably just a one off thing but it did force us to be cooped up inside and wasn’t real fun. No trace of them in the morning except a few carcasses and wings. I guess steel isn’t as tasty as wood. J
As a last little note we had a bunch of termites flying around the boat at dusk. Probably just a one off thing but it did force us to be cooped up inside and wasn’t real fun. No trace of them in the morning except a few carcasses and wings. I guess steel isn’t as tasty as wood. J
Anchoring
Anchor Depth – 15ft
We anchored near the panga buoy.
Easy approach with deep water right up to the anchorage area. Don’t cut in too early from the point to the south. You will be surprised at how far out the shoals extend. Be aware that it goes from very deep to shallow really quickly.
There is a shelf from here from 20 to 40 ft in sand with good holding.
Prevailing wind/swell
Open roadstead anchorage so you are open to the swell. The shoals to the south extend REALLY far out so they offer a bit of protection.
We saw mostly light winds from the west. Swell is from the south.
Water temp and Clarity
Water temp was 85 deg when we arrived at the end of May. Clarity was about 5ft in the anchorage.
We anchored near the panga buoy.
Easy approach with deep water right up to the anchorage area. Don’t cut in too early from the point to the south. You will be surprised at how far out the shoals extend. Be aware that it goes from very deep to shallow really quickly.
There is a shelf from here from 20 to 40 ft in sand with good holding.
Prevailing wind/swell
Open roadstead anchorage so you are open to the swell. The shoals to the south extend REALLY far out so they offer a bit of protection.
We saw mostly light winds from the west. Swell is from the south.
Water temp and Clarity
Water temp was 85 deg when we arrived at the end of May. Clarity was about 5ft in the anchorage.
Dinghy Landing
The beach landing looks easy but there were a half dozen dogs running up and down the beach barking and chasing things. Hard to tell if they liked visitors.
We didn’t go ashore.
We didn’t go ashore.
Garbage
No
Groceries
No
Eating Out
No
ANNOYANCES
Open roadstead so can be rolly.
We had termites flying around the boat at dusk. Not a huge swarm but enough to be annoying.
We had termites flying around the boat at dusk. Not a huge swarm but enough to be annoying.
Quick 360 view
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A quick 360 view of the anchorage. |
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Download our Google Earth KAP files for use in OpenCPN. | ||
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Download our gpx track to approach this area
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