Samana - Docking

Anchorages:

The bay is sheltered and provides a good anchorage.  Some areas of the anchorage holding are poor, but its easy to find a spot. The holding varies, so set your anchor with engine.

Samana Town Anchorage. Samana area has good holding in mud and is a smaller and quaint town.  Regular visitors recommend always anchoring by the bridge by Cayo Vigia, a beautiful spot and just a short dinghy ride from shore.  (Great place to see the bridge lights at night). If going to the North side, make sure to give plenty of clearway for local boats to access the dock.

This is not a recommended place to leave your boat unattended during hurricane season as was witnessed during hurricane Fiona 2022. If you stay with your boat, go to Los Haitises National Park into the mangroves for good protection. A lot of boats broke loose in the town anchorage during Fiona!

On anchor in the bay, since the water is impacted by nearby mangrove swamps, hull growth is fast. And while its possible to use your R/O system in the bay, your filters will need cleaning more frequently. A nearby small island, Cayo Levantó, is used by those who want to clean their hulls.

Hurricane Hole:

There is a hurricane hole for shallow-medium drafts (max 5.5ft) in the Los Haitises National Park near the marina. These mangrove areas, similar to the southern coast area of Salinas in Puerto Rico, offer some protection from approaching major storms. Sometimes the park authorities will announce opening of the park to vessels in storm situations, however at other times, boats just go to tie up inside the shelter of the mangroves.

Dinghy Dock:

In the Samana Bay area, the dingy dock is a bit different. A dinghy needs a stern anchor and you have to climb a ladder. Alternatively you can tie your dingy behind the excursion catamarans. It is suggested to tie your dinghy to the dinghy dock with the white port (the most east one), it's easier to climb out there.

Space is limited (there is no space on the new town pier) but a new dock is reportedly being built which dinghies may be able to utilise.

Moorings:

There are also some mooring buoys off the town which may be available for a small charge. The buoys are serviced regularly and have large concrete blocks on them. There are also unknown moorings here, test for holding by backing down in reverse and inspecting.

Security:

There have been no incidences of theft in this anchorage for many years.  Often you can find someone local to keep an eye on your dinghy for a tip.  Make it a good habit to hoist and lock your dinghy to your boat and on docks, the same as anywhere else in the Caribbean.

Marinas:

Marina Puerto Bahia is a condo development with slips, a few miles up bay from the harbor, 4NM west of the town of Samana with fixed and strong concrete docks.  Call on VHF Channel 16 or 68 for bookings.  You may have to anchor out for awhile if they are full.

A deep entrance channel (25ft) with inside depths ranging from seven - 20ft is fairly straightforward to enter. Protection is excellent and security reported to be good. Fuel and water available and clearance can be undertaken here. Night time entry is possible but not recommended due to the presence of fishing pots.

Note that the marina docks are concrete so don't tie dock lines too tight - tidal range is two feet - minimum and four feet maximum.  As usual with many Caribbean concrete slips with tidal ranges, good bumpers are important as well as snubbers and chafing gear.

Last updated:  February 2023