Anchorage· Isla Saona· Other Caribbean
Isla Saona Anchorage (Punta Catuano)
18° 11.8′ N · 68° 47.3′ W · approximate
The anchorage at Saona's northwest corner in the lee of Catuano, inside Cotubanamá National Park: protected from the trades by the island and from the swell by the channel, a short swim from a small sand beach. Virgintino calls it 'cruising like it used to be'.
Practical
Position approx: off Saona's NW corner by Punta Catuano, derived from OpenStreetMap (checked to be in water) and cross-checked against the OSM Catuano hamlet node (18.19188, -68.77991), about 0.5 nm ESE of the pin on shore; the Virgintino guide gives only a rough waypoint (18°11N 68°47W). 12 ft of water within about 200 yards of the beach. No facilities for yachts. A naval post sits at Catuano: expect a check of your despacho. Fishermen sell fish and lobster alongside. Off the south coast the hazard Bajos del Caballo (18°05.54N 68°39.66W) breaks visibly. Park rules apply: no anchoring on coral, and take nothing.
Best for
The DR's best island anchorage and a base for exploring Saona
Season
Prevailing E–NE trades
Nearby
- Playa Bonita Anchorage (Catuano west)0.7 NM away
- La Bañera Mangrove Lagoon (Saona)0.9 NM away
- Las Palmillas Anchorage (Saona channel)2.5 NM away
- Piscina Natural & Las Palmillas (Saona)2.6 NM away
- Mano Juan Village (Isla Saona)5.1 NM away
- Saona Sea-Turtle Nesting5.6 NM away
- Parque Nacional del Este (Cotubanamá National Park)7 NM away
- Playa Canto de la Playa (Saona)7.8 NM away