The Las Hadas anchorage is tucked in at the west end of Bahia Manzanillo behind Punta Santiago which provides protection from most weather and swell from the north and west. The bay is open to the east and south although Punta Salagua and the marina breakwater offers some shelter from the southwest.

This is the main anchorage in the bay and is often full with no anchoring space available behind the marina breakwater. Jet skies and water skiers make this anchorage a little rough and noisy.

The Marina las Hadas does not welcome cruisers. They charge and exorbitant fee (500 pesos at time of writing) for use of the dinghy dock only, it does not include use of the pool or other facilities and the laundry service is also ridiculously expensive.

Approaches

The approach to the Las Hadas anchorage is straight forward.

Anchorage

Anchor as close to Playa las Hadas as possible in 6m sand and mud with good holding. Plan your trips ashore as the fee at the marina is excessive but there is little choice as most of the nearby beaches are roped off and have no dinghy access.

Facilities

There are several restaurants in the area around Playa las Hadas. Walk 2.5km to the main road to catch a bus or take a taxi into Manzanillo for great shopping.

Bahia Santiago is the northern lobe of the cuspate coastline of Bahia Manzanillo. This large bay bound by Punta Juluapan and Punta Santiago is well protected from all but the southeast to southwest sector. It is not recommended in the summer months.

The bay is intensely developed with hotels and resorts and the anchorage is busy with guests splashing, paddling or buzzing around on various types of water craft. Snorkeling or diving on the wreck of a cargo ship lying in about 7m is great fun with plenty of sea life. Buoys just southeast of the wreck mark a second wreck at unknown depth.

Approaches

Passage can be taken either side of Los Frailles, a group of rocky islets 0.7NM south of Punta Juluapan. Watch for shipping traffic and fishing pens as you approach the anchorage.

Anchorage

Anchor behind Punta Juluapan in 8.5m on sand with good holding, steering clear of the wrecks at approximately 19 o 06.422’N 104o 23.777’W. Dinghy ashore to the beach close to the river mouth of Laguna Juluapan at the west end of the bay.

Facilities

There are many restaurants lining the golden sand of Playa La Boquita as well as some small grocery stores. It is a short bus ride takes to the town of Santiago or into Manzanillo where several megastores including Walmart can be found. Santiago is a big town with a small town feel, strolling around the streets or lounging on the terrace of a cafe it is very pleasant.

Snorkeling or diving the San Luciano is surprisingly interesting. The wreck is rusting away and lot of the steel plate on the deck has gone leaving the holds and the boiler room open to explore. Poking around amongst the pipes and boilers while enjoying the soft coral and colourful reef fish.

The anchorage in the lagoon at Barra de Navidad is a very popular spot for cruising boats and is the starting point of the Panama Posse Rally which sails from California to Florida. However the marina and the lagoon itself have plenty of space for dozens of boats. The lagoon is exposed to wind from the northwest but is otherwise wonderfully calm and tranquil. Sand flies and mosquitos can be a problem here.

Approaches

The entrance to the sinuous channel into Laguna de Barra de Navidad lies behind the town in the southeast corner of the bay. In moderate to large swell conditions breaking waves form across the bar. Wait for calm conditions to enter the lagoon.

The channel is marked with paired green/red buoys as far as the marina. From the marina entrance it is unmarked but steer approximately SE towards waypoint 119o 11.71’N 104o  40.54’W to enter the lagoon. The channel is fairly straight and approximately 5m deep.

Anchorage

The lagoon has several shoal areas so keep your eyes peeled when choosing a spot to anchor. Anchoring depth in the lagoon is about 2-4m on mud. Anchors have been known to drag on the muddy bottom, particularly in the afternoon when the NW breezes picks up. Dinghy into the dinghy dock at the marina or at one of the docks in town on the inside of the lagoon.

Facilities

The town of Barra de Navidad boasts several grocery stores and a fish market, one or two laundromats and numerous restaurants. The French baker here is legendary, call him on VHJF22 and he will deliver right to your boat. There are a couple of ATMs but the nearest bank is in Melaque. The water taxi from the anchorage to town is good value.

During the mid-16th century the Spanish used the lagoon for ship building and as a departure point for fleets leaving for the Philippines. In 2012 the town was damaged by a hurricane but has since rebuilt and has much to offer tourists and cruisers alike including sports fishing, surfing, golf, and hiking as well as the usual snorkeling and diving. Explore the canals on the east side of the town, the entrance is east of the palace on Punta Vela island.