The village of Chamela lies on the southern side of Bahia Chamela at the end of a 2.5km crescent of pristine white sand. Numerous craggy islands dot the bay and care should be taken when passing close to their rocky shorelines.

The anchorage behind Isla Nerita is protected from wind from the eastern sector but provides little shelter from north or south. Swell wraps around and diffracts between the islands making it a rolly anchorage.

Approaches

Passage can be made on either side of Isla Negrita staying mid-channel and giving the reef on the north side of the island a wide berth. Navigate carefully if approaching from the north side of Isla San Andreas and it is not recommended to pass between Isla Colorado and the mainland.

Anchorage

Anchor midway between Isla Nerita and Punta Chamela giving the reefs on both a wide berth. Drop the pick in 5.1m on a sandy bottom. Take the dinghy ashore to the southern end of the main beach if the swell is from the south or use the small beach on the east side of Punta Chamela in a northerly swell.

Punta la Virgen is a small rocky headland and islets located at the very southern end of Bahia Chamela. The tiny cove on the south side of the point is sheltered from all winds except west and the narrow entrance keeps most of the swell out.

Approaches

Enter the bay mid-channel keeping a good lookout for uncharted rocks, particularly around the southern point.

Anchorage

The bay has a small beach but the shoreline is otherwise rocky. Anchor in the centre of the bay in 2.7m on a sandy patch. Dinghy ashore to the beach in the southern corner of the bay.

Facilities

None.