Marina· Shelter Bay / Colón· Other Caribbean

Shelter Bay Marina (Colón)

9° 22.8′ N · 79° 55.9′ W

The full-service marina inside the Panama Canal breakwater at the old US Fort Sherman base, about 50 minutes from Panama City, beside the San Lorenzo National Park jungle; the standard place to prepare for the canal or haul out on the Caribbean side.

Belize Barrier Reef

Practical

Position is Noonsite's Shelter Bay approach channel, 09°22'47"N 079°55'52"W. Call Cristóbal Signal Station on VHF 12 or 16 before entering the harbour, then the marina on VHF 74; advance reservations recommended. Keep at least 90 m off the headland to port and follow the green channel markers: there is a reef just off the entrance, and a shoal extends 200 m east from the south side of the entrance. Channel takes 7.6 m draft. About 200 berths, a 200 ft megayacht dock, fuel dock, 100-tonne haul-out and dry storage, sail loft, chandlery, laundry, LPG refills, bar/restaurant, pool, gym, 24/7 security, certified Lagoon service center. Free bus to Panama City and to the Colón supermarket for docked boats (demand high). Immigration and Port Captain on site weekdays (see Colón clearance entry). The marina site advertises rates 'starting at $0.45 for monohulls and $0.58 for multihulls', varying with size and length of stay; confirm the unit and current rate when booking. Dinghy dock for anchored yachts $12 per day, showers $5 (2026 rate sheet). Cruisers' net VHF 77 at 7:30 am. Alligators present. Contact info@shelterbaymarina.com, +507 6781-6631.

Best for

Canal preparation, haul-out and a secure base on the Caribbean side

Nearby