Shelter Bay, Atlantic Side of Panama

 

Located on the Northern Atlantic water side of Panama is the famous port of Colon. Just a short distance WEST of Colon is the one and only hurricane safe marina in Panama.. Appropriately named Shelter Bay, this is a beautiful nautical point on the tip of Panama on the Caribbean / Atlantic side.  When coming from the Colon side of Panama to get to Shelter Bay you have to literally drive THROUGH the canal. A very awesome and cool experience. Definitely one for the bucket list. Photos of driving through the canal are in upcoming post on the Gutan Locks.

A short 20 to 30 minute drive WEST from Colon, the trip is worth the drive. A well maintained road is the route one drives but be prepared for some curves and bumps. Due to its high level of travel and erosion from the months of rainy season here, there can be a multitude of patches and still to be repaired holes. Unlike a lot of other parts of Panama, signage to Shelter Bay Marina is quite good. The road basically leads to the Bay with only a few alternative options along the way. 

The drive is mostly through the lush green rain-forest but does also trace the coast line. When the water is along one side their are intermittent blue signs indicating that there is access (by foot only) to the water. During our adventure, there were numerous local families with their cars parked on the green grassy shoulder off picnicking and playing in the water. 

At the end of the road, you arrive at Shelter Bay and an old military entrance check point. Maintained by the Panamanian government, we have to check in and gain permission to access. Our original destination was to be past Shelter Bay at old Fort San Lorenzo. Unfortunately per the Military guard the road was closed and that we could only go as far as the Shelter Bay Marina. The actual marine is located inside what once was a large well maintained US Military Base in Panama. The history of Panama is rich with US occupation and a strong Military presence until 1999 when the Canal was returned to Panama's Government. Sadly, many of the military installations sit in ruins and decay often covered in graffiti and ready for demolition.

At Shelter Bay Marina there is a fully operating Yatch Club, quaint hotel, ship repair yard and a small community of full time boaters. Shelter Bay is the "stopping point" for private vessels NOT passing through the canal, down from the Caribbean island, Bocas del Toro, and preparing to pass through the canal. In the distance off the most norther point you can see larger container ships and sometimes cruise ships waiting for clearance to enter the canal. More on that later. 

Nestled in the marina itself is a great restaurant, The Dock, with a nice quaint hotel upstairs.  Owned by a European and managed by an America, stopping at The Dock is am absolute must for a bite to eat, drink, and to enjoy the view. More on the Dock Restaurant in my next posting.

To see more about the great options at Shelter Bay visit their website.