Anchorage· Isla Fuerte· Other Caribbean

Isla Fuerte Anchorages

9° 22.6′ N · 76° 10.5′ W

A small island well offshore of the Córdoba coast, 75 nm from Cartagena, with two published anchorages - a quiet stepping stone between the San Bernardo islands and the Gulf of Urabá on the way to Panama.

Belize Barrier Reef

Practical

Waypoint A20 from the national cruising guide (9°22'38.291"N 76°10'29.822"W; the text says anchor off Puerto Limón (A20) or south of the island (A21, 9°22'50.701"N 76°11'31.644"W)). Do not anchor here when the wind is from the south (guide). The Coast Guard station at Coveñas covers Isla Fuerte. Part of Bolívar department; OSM maps the island center at 9.3883, -76.1815 and a light at 9.39052, -76.17802. Distances from Cartagena: Isla Fuerte 75 nm, Turbo 148 nm, Sapzurro (Panama border) 160 nm. ActiveCaptain (2015–2018): a quiet anchorage on sand with good holding, but it can be rolly in summer (August); approach from the north in daylight (guide waypoint A22, 09°24'07.069"N 76°10'26.368"W) and turn west into the anchorage; gasoline, diesel, LP gas and general provisions are available ashore, with small rustic hotels. The national guide's own text puts the island at 80 nm from Cartagena (its distance table says 75).

Best for

A stop between San Bernardo and Sapzurro

Season

Avoid in southerly winds

Nearby