Boca Chica (DR) - Docking

There is a well-marked channel to follow into the bay past the megaport.

Anchoring

The only designated anchorage in Boca Chica for visiting yachts is located behind the island of "La Piedra" opposite the private yacht club. As one enters the bay, past the mega-port the yacht club is the first facility on the port side. Opposite the yacht club is "La Piedra" where people do anchor and anchoring is permitted. It is not a large area and space is very limited, perhaps room for 3 regular sized boats. It's also not possible to anchor here long-term.

Further east in the bay on the port side is Marina ZarPar and there are moorings in front of the marina. There is a public beach further east. No anchoring is allowed in front of the public beach or the marina, although you may well see local boats doing just that.

Further out in the "channel area" the marina also has moorings.  These moorings are for rent and they are given free to local boats who use the area to swim on the weekends.

The photo shows the anchorage at Isla La Piedra and is taken looking west from the marina's T head dock. The boat in the immediate foreground is on a mooring in front of the marina. No anchoring is permitted here as it is both a channel to permit pilotage east along the front of the marina and a mooring field.

There is a shallow sandbar that curves in towards the docks of the private yacht club and Marina Zar Par.

Even further into the bay beyond Marina Zar Par is the Whale! beach resort which has a small marina attached (2 to 3 berths only). This is only suitable for shallow draft boats.

The map above showing the layout of the bay and anchoring photo courtesy of Free Cruising Guides.

Marina Zar Par and Mooring Field

[July 2020 it was reported that there are no longer any mooring buoys, however, we have not been able to receive confirmation from the marina that is accurate.]

In front of the marina are a number of mooring balls available for visiting yachtsmen. There is a daily charge for use of the mooring ball which includes, dinghy dock, hot water showers, and bathrooms, captains club, security, free transportation to supermarkets and town, waste oil disposal, WiFi, etc.

The marina will no longer permit boats larger than 50' on the moorings due to the risk of going aground. The lines attached to the mooring balls can occasionally be missing due to theft by a local fisherman or a large powerboat running over them. Please advise the marina if you find this to be the case.

Depths outside the marina average 10 feet (3.05 m), but can drop to 8 feet (2.43 m) or less depending on tide and wind direction. Boats with a draft greater than 7 feet (2.31 m) should contact the marina for assistance before entry.

Advanced reservations are recommended for slips in the marina. The marina monitors VHF Ch.5 and will send a launch to guide you in from the end of the well-marked commercial channel. This service is not available at night and cruisers have reported experiencing difficulties with VHF contact on approach.

There is a shuttle bus from a square a few minutes walk from the marina which goes to the village of Boca Chica.

Security

The latest incident occurred in May 2022 when owners of a yacht berthed in Marina Zar Par returned after several months away to find that their yacht had been broken into and various items stolen.  Report:  Yacht Burgled in Marina

In March 2022 local news reported an incident where a group of armed persons swam out to a boat at anchor and assaulted the occupants.  Report:  Armed Robbery and Assault

Prior to that a yacht on a mooring ball reported being broken into in 2013 after which the marina employed extra security to watch the moorings.

An armed boarding occurred in January 2017 inside the marina on an outside pontoon. Money and jewelry were stolen.

It is easy for opportunists to swim out from the beach or island without being seen.

Last updated: May 2022