Anchorage· Chichime Cays· Other Caribbean

Chichime Cays Anchorage

9° 35.0′ N · 78° 52.9′ W

Two palm islands with a blue lagoon between them, Guna dwellings, a beach bar and a volleyball court: the archetypal San Blas postcard and the first or last stop for many boats sailing to or from Cartagena or Portobelo.

Belize Barrier Reef

Practical

Position 09°34.998'N 078°52.876'W is the south anchorage, 12 m sand (Spirit of Argo 2016); they recommend this 'technically simple' south anchorage if arriving late or leaving before good light, but it is susceptible to some roll. The main lagoon anchorage between the two islands needs good light to enter and exit. The southern island has the main structures, a Guna bar/restaurant (cold beer, warm bread) and volleyball (Tahina 2010; Spirit of Argo 2016). Snorkelling in the shallows off the islands and on a shipwreck on the outer reef with very large elkhorn coral (Tahina Expedition). Exposed to northerly swell in strong Northers (SailScanner). Crowded in high season with day-tour boats from Carti. Digicel reported to work well here. Good jumping-off point for the 50 nm run west to Portobelo; Spirit of Argo left just after 6 am.

Best for

The classic arrival or departure anchorage with a beach bar and reef

Season

Dec–Apr trades; roll and swell in Northers

Nearby