BOCAS DEL TORO ANCHORING ALERT
BOCAS DEL TORO ANCHORING ALERT
SV MAISON DE SANTEย spent hurricane season in Bocas Del Toro.ย They have a finger on the pulse there and share new restrictions that affect the anchorage in Bocas del Toro outside Red Frog Marina.
ATTENTION: Starting December 6, 2024, boats are NO longer able to anchor outside Red Frog Marina in Bocas Del Toro, Panama or they may be subject to $250-$300 fine by the Armada. All boats who were in the anchorage were told to leave by the Armada yesterday. I confirmed this with both a boat who was in the anchorage as well as a marina resident. The exact circumstances that led to this decision are unknown at this time.
SY MAISON DE SANTร ๐บ๐ธ Nicole & Keenan - ย Cal 46'
ANCHOR FEE SCAM ALERT
ANCHOR FEE SCAM ALERT
SV MAISON DE SANTE reports:
Please learn from our mistake- For those going to Isla Escudo de Veraguas in the Bocas Del Toro region, Panama. Recently, we were approached by locals who insisted on payment of $15 for anchoring. They did not look official but had official looking receipts (like you would get in San Blas Islands). We never paid anything last year and paid this time thinking there might have been a change we were unaware of. Later (we) spoke to another local on the island who said, "do not pay her".ย ย We never paid anything last year and in reaching out to the local Bocas Del Toro cruisers on WhatsApp, seems like this just started this year and some are falling for the trap.
My experience has been that most people in remote areas looking for a handout are happy with Colas and other basic supplies (school supplies, disposable batteries, some gas, or lures). We are happy to contribute but also itโs unfair to cruisers for people to falsely claim rules/regulations when they are not a governing authority.
I did get a receipt and have paid WAY more for a piece of paper! ๐