Boca Chica (DR) - General Info

Description:

Boca Chica is a resort town just a 30 min drive from the capital city of Santa Domingo, where you can visit the first colonial city in the new world. Santa Domingo has much to offer. Just 5 miles west of Boca Chica is the Las Americas International Airport.

Boca Chica has lovely beaches and a lively nightlife. At weekends there is a lot of local power boats passing through the anchorage playing loud music, so don't expect peace and quiet!

Entrance Notes and Cautions:

Buoyage has been upgraded here (all charts are out of date; most particularly the leading lights have been replaced by a first-rate RWG sectored light) and is now excellent (and lit) - but the passage does involve passing disconcertingly close to breaking waves to starboard! On entry to the leisure port, it is essential to keep very close to the moored boats on the port side to avoid shallows to starboard.

La Caleta is a Marine National Park just a few miles west of Boca Chica often used by cruising boats as an easy access anchorage for overnighting. The "Medio Ambiente" (Environmental Protection Department) has now initiated an order (March 2013) that no anchoring will be permitted here due to the possibility of damage to the reef.  Additionally, no overnight stays will be permitted at the park. There are moorings for boats to use during the day only, for those that want to scuba in the area.

Note that it is not possible to depart the harbour after 18:00hrs and arrival after dark is not advisable. Cruisers have reported that they encountered difficulties contacting anyone on the VHF after 17:00hrs on the approach to Boca Chica.

Position:

18° 25' 48" N, 69° 36' 11" W (center of bay)