Needing advise on safe marinas in Belize

[Kalinowski]

I've been receiving emails from a new high end development called "The Placencia". Condos are in the million dollar range. They have started the building of a marina which will accommodate super yachts and per the pix, have several slips available. The short term rate I've been quoted for is $2/ft/day. For this, you get to use all of the hotel's amenities and they have strong security.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

... All are also welcome to my supplental notes (including a section on Marinas!). Link: https://db.tt/2rECT7Qi.

I did not notice until after I posted the 2015-10-03 version of my Belize Notes, that the conversion to PDF format had gone horribly wrong and dropped most of the headers and some of the text.

Ive fixed that, very tedious, and uploaded the new version to DropBox.

The link below is to the folder containing the related files. Older versions of my notes may be in this folder too. The files have the revision date appended to the file name in CCCC-MM-DD format. Just look for the most recent date. For example, the version I just uploaded is named "Belize Notes 2015-10-04.pdf".

Link: https://db.tt/3fuBCrvs

[Triumphant]

Originally Posted by Kalinowski

I've been receiving emails from a new high end development called "The Placencia". Condos are in the million dollar range. They have started the building of a marina which will accommodate super yachts and per the pix, have several slips available. The short term rate I've been quoted for is $2/ft/day. For this, you get to use all of the hotel's amenities and they have strong security.

The Placencia is near the top, north, end of the Placencia peninsular, the marina is a collection of large rocks forming a break water placed on the seaward side of the peninsular with some docks inside, I would be very wary of being in there in bad weather

The last time I flew over it, about a year ago, there were no boats in there and as people have pointed out before on other threads the nearest shops are 6 to 8 miles away so you need to have transport. The development of whole complex seems to have ground to a halt over the last few years, the casino is still not open and the international airport is not finished

In the Placencia area there is much more choice, there are private docks available for rent in the village, ask at Captain Jaks and also in Harbour place.

In Placencia Lagoon there are at least 3 marinas
• The Laru Beya (The Moorings) Marina
• Roberts Grove Marina
• Penisular Club Marina, This one is the nearest to the village opposite Chabil Mar
• The new Thunderbirds boat yard has a haul out and also rent docks

We just anchor off the south end of the village and dinghy ashore to Yoli’s

[gentlerain]

Expensive very few anchorages and even less marinas. I was glad to leave Belize after spening a winter season there trying to hide from northern winds which is difficult as the islands (really mangrove covered sand spits) are north south orientated so no protection. Plus the charts are not accurate so you have to eyeaball which is only possible when the sun shines which it didn't do much of last winter. Good Luck! I would choose another destination.

[SSGChuck62b]

Northern parts of Belize are the tourist traps. I'm with Guy. Southern Belize is the place to be. A quick 2 hour trip to Barrios or Livingston in Guatemala is a treasure from Punta Gorda. I helped the guy from Denver build Orange Point Marina in the 90's. I welded OPM to the stantions without knowing it meant "other peoples money". Safe place. Will take P.G. over Ambergris or Caulker anytime

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by SSGChuck62b

Northern parts of Belize are the tourist traps. I'm with Guy. Southern Belize is the place to be. A quick 2 hour trip to Barrios or Livingston in Guatemala is a treasure from Punta Gorda. I helped the guy from Denver build Orange Point Marina in the 90's. I welded OPM to the stantions without knowing it meant "other peoples money". Safe place. Will take P.G. over Ambergris or Caulker anytime

Been a while since you've been there right?

I like PG as a town because its a real Belizean town, as opposed to San Pedro (Ambergris), but OPM is neither operational nor viable...the entrance channel is so silted in you can barely get in there with skiff. Been like this for years now.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by gentlerain

Expensive very few anchorages and even less marinas. I was glad to leave Belize after spening a winter season there trying to hide from northern winds which is difficult as the islands (really mangrove covered sand spits) are north south orientated so no protection. Plus the charts are not accurate so you have to eyeaball which is only possible when the sun shines which it didn't do much of last winter. Good Luck! I would choose another destination.

True that most of the cayes do not offer protection from the N-NW-SW quadrants, but there are a number of good foul weather anchorages scattered from N to S which offer very good protection.

Like the Bahamas, Spring months are the best time to be there.

Most charts (paper or electronic) are not accurate, but Freya Raucher's are quite good.

My notes on foul weather anchorages below. There are a few more I've left out (like Sittee River) because they require detailed local knowledge and a shoal draft to get into.

"
Foul Weather Anchorages

In the event that foul weather threatens, there are a number of good foul weather anchorages available. The prudent strategy is head for one when a strong cold front is forecast, regardless of forecast wind direction.

Brief descriptions of some recommended anchorages below, arranged roughly N to S.

Drowned Cayes. Many bogues, running roughly E-W, divide these cayes and offer a multitude of well protected anchorages and interesting exploring.

Robinson Cayes. OK as long as wind doesn't go SW. Holding in N anchorage not very good in soupy mud.

Bluefields. Two slightly tricky entrances, but good protection.

Tobacco Caye Range (not Tobacco Caye). Just W of Tobacco Caye. There is a hole in the S end of Tobacco Caye Range that can shelter a few boats. You can also just anchor in the lee if winds are NW-W.

Twin Cayes. Just W of Southwater Caye. Inside Twin Cayes in a very protected lagoon. Entrance is a bit tricky.

Sapodilla Lagoon. Mainland lagoon with an entrance from the E. S of Sittee River. Complete 360 protection.

Blue Ground Range. W of Twin Cayes. Slow going picking your way across the shoals from Southwater. Entrance from the W is easier.

Lark Caye Range. Just across from Placencia. Very deep (60'), but good holding and protection.

Placencia Harbour. Popular anchorage with good holding. Open to the SSE-S. Can get ugly here if winds pick up from this direction. Many move to the N side of the cut or to the back lagoon in that case.

Placencia Lagoon. A little tricky to get into, and best suited to vessels drawing no more than 6', but offers miles of well protected anchoring options. There are also several mangrove holes accessible from the back lagoon in case really ugly weather threatens.

Big Creek. The mangrove creek that exits Big Creek to the West and extends for miles and offers many very well protected anchoring options.

New Haven Bay. Way south by Ycacos lagoon and Snake Cayes. Excellent holding and full protection from almost every direct, except for partial protection from the S-SW.
"

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by Triumphant

...

....
The new Thunderbirds boat yard has a haul out and also rent docks

...

A boat yard up and running in Placencia...whooda thunk!

An direct, or inderect, experience with their work yet?

[Chkm8]

Hi Jen, Placencia area very comfortable, Roberts Grove, most amenitys You can check in from the village anchorage or marina ,short dingy ride to Big Creek. 6ft draft no problem in lagoon except for really low tide with N wind unusual. The R guide only reliable charts. Moorings has 30 plus boats here so can't be too bad. Come see and enjoy, 1 day to Rio Dulce or Bay Islands when you decide to move. Been here 3 years of and on. Comfortable place

[Triumphant]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

A boat yard up and running in Placencia...whooda thunk!

An direct, or inderect, experience with their work yet?

Just south of Wild Orchid

No direct experience but Moorings are now hauling their monohulls and some of their Cats there and some of the Expat "locals" have been using it. I am told it is owned by same people as the Hatchett Caye resort and is to be used for servicing their boats as well

[model 10]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

A boat yard up and running in Placencia...whooda thunk!

An direct, or inderect, experience with their work yet?

I think we met the new marina managers early this year. They have a sail boat and an an accent, Australian or Kiwi maybe..

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by Triumphant

Just south of Wild Orchid

No direct experience but Moorings are now hauling their monohulls and some of their Cats there and some of the Expat "locals" have been using it. I am told it is owned by same people as the Hatchett Caye resort and is to be used for servicing their boats as well

Good plan on the part of Hatchett Caye. Will save the Moorings a LOT of hassle.

But running a business in Belize can be a huge PITA, I suspect that's one reason this rather obvious niche has never beem filled, hopefully they can keep it going.

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by Kalinowski

I've been receiving emails from a new high end development called "The Placencia". Condos are in the million dollar range. They have started the building of a marina which will accommodate super yachts and per the pix, have several slips available. The short term rate I've been quoted for is $2/ft/day. For this, you get to use all of the hotel's amenities and they have strong security.

So basically it will be like Richmond Marina in Richmond, Ca., where you don't dare venture out at nigh in Richmond or Oakland and pay $2@ft. per night.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by Celestialsailor

So basically it will be like Richmond Marina in Richmond, Ca., where you don't dare venture out at nigh in Richmond or Oakland and pay $2@ft. per night.

Nooo....Placencia/Maya Beach are pretty tame. Petty theft is an annoyance, but serious crime is rare. No worries venturing out night, but this new marina is WAY north on the peninsula so its a taxi ride to anywhere else.

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

Nooo....Placencia/Maya Beach are pretty tame. Petty theft is an annoyance, but serious crime is rare. No worries venturing out night, but this new marina is WAY north on the peninsula so its a taxi ride to anywhere else.

Sorry....it was tongue and cheek