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.

This anchorage is located in the northern bay of Caleta Paraiso. It is a tiny cove with swinging room for just one boat and might be tight fit for larger vessels larger than 55’. The bay is well protected from the south and east and has moderate shelter from northerlies but swell from NW-N wraps around the headland.

Approaches

Uncharted reefs and rocks make the northern entrance hazardous and it is recommended to approach this bay from the west, taking great care passing between the islands and the peninsula between the northern and southern coves.

Anchorage

The cove shoals rapidly and the bottom is rocky. Find a sandy patch close to the mouth of the inlet in 3-4m. Dinghy ashore to any of the small beaches in the bay except the beach in the southern cove which is claimed to be owned by the hotel.

Facilities

None. There is a guest house in the northern cove. Snorkeling and diving around the caves and reefs is spectacular.

Playa Caleta Blanca is the northernmost inlet in Caleta Paraiso but can only be accessed by dinghy. It is possible to anchor on the eastern side of the islands but the passage is studded with isolated rocks and reefs. Exploring the area by dinghy is recommended prior to trying to set an anchor there.

This anchorage east of Isla Paraiso is sheltered from wind and swell from the south, however it is exposed to the north and northwest and during the winter months it is only recommended in calm conditions.

Approaches

Navigate the northern passage between the islands and the mainland with great care keeping a sharp look out on the bow.

Anchorage

Look for a patch of sand to drop anchor in 6-7m. Make sure the anchor is well set before leaving the boat. Dinghy ashore to Playa Caleta Blanca or any of the other secluded beaches in the bay.

Facilities

None. Playa Caleta Blanca also has a private guest house behind the beach. Exploring aquamarine waters of Caleta Paraiso by dinghy is magical; snorkel on the reefs, dive in the sea caves or just make footprints in the fine white sand.

Just 4NM from Paraiso, Bahia Careyes is another lobate bay surrounded by rocky islands and headlands. This bay has been developed with luxury homes, resorts and condos and is long way from the remote uncluttered paradise of Paraiso, however the enjoying the white sand beaches and snorkeling and diving on the clear water is just as good.

Bahia Careyes is well sheltered from north and east but the anchorage can be rolly when northwesterly winds and swell wrap around into the bay. The anchorage is untenable during the summer months.

Approaches

Several isolated rocks have been charted in the approaches to Bahia Careyes and care should be taken navigating in the area. Enter the bay in the centre of the channel between the northern point and Isla Careyes.

Anchorage

The anchorage is located in the northern cove of the bay. Moorings fill the shallow water but anchoring is possible between the point and the old Club Med dock in 7.4m. The holding in sandy gravel on coral is poor and a stern anchor is recommended to maintain position in this tight spot. Alternatively anchor further out in 10m but the holding is still marginal.

The beach in front of the palatial mansion is private but it is possible to tie the dinghy up to the dock.

Facilities

None. There are a couple of restaurants in the other coves in the bay. Snorkeling on the rocks around the point is fantastic.

Bahia Careyes is a small bay which has been developed for luxury living and upmarket tourism. Moorings and tour boats tend to occupy the more sheltered parts of the three coves which make up the bay however there is still space to anchor outside the mooring field off Playa Careyes in the southern cove. Anchorage is possible in the northern lobe however the holding is poor and the beach is private property.

Even during the winter months swell diffracting between the islands tends to make this a rolly anchorage.

Approaches

Keep good lookout for isolated, uncharted rocks as you approach the anchorage from the south-west.

Anchorage

Anchor outside the moorings in 7.3m on sand. Check your anchor is well set as the holding is moderate. Playa Careyes is buoyed for guest swimming and cannot be approached by dinghy. Instead go ashore at Playa Rosa in the central cove.

Facilities

A couple of restaurants can be found at Playa Careyes and Playa Rosa. Swimming and snorkeling are heavenly in the crystal clear waters.