Marinas in DR

If you want to live on the hook, on the North Coast there is Luperon and then Samana Bay. Luperon is a hurricane hole, Samana is not nearly as protected. If you want to live in a marina, check out the new marina at Ocean World in Puerto Plata ... no living on the hook, but living on the dollar.

I would say for living on the hook, Luperon is your answer. No mooring boys, you have to check your anchor(s) as soil is sandy, but very safe in terms of weather.

Correction - Luperon is muddy and sandy - check and place the anchors well.

Morring

Where do you want to stay ? North Coast ? South Coast ? where I can help.


Capt.Rob

Be wary of Samana Bay ... irate: there is a HUGE amount of corruption as far as the 'officials' in the area.

Moor in Luperon or tie up at Ocean World Marina IMO.

Stay well,
Amy
Fisrt Mate
M/V Independence

No worries - that's why the board is here ... to answer people's Q's!

We're currently docked at Ocean World - the only drawback is the surge makes the marina a little rocky and rolly some days (there is talk of building a sea break further out from the break-wall but who knows?!) Their price per day is .80 per ft. per day for 6 months and up.

We have been to Luperon many times - lots and lots of sailboats on the hook out there. It's a good marina but a little remote for my taste. Luperon is the most protected area in regards to hurricanes but we're just a few hours away so if the sh!t hits the fan we can always make a run up there.

We've had a few bad storms in the past few weeks and have held up fine here in Ocean World.

Let me know if you have any more questions.

Stay well,
Amy

Any chance that you remember who you spoke with?

Stay well,
Amy

Morring

If you don't mind alittle primitive try Monte Cristi or better Monsonillio not spelled rite it just outside Monte Cristi Largest bay in all of the carib. also on the south coast is las salians bani real nice small town but nice. Just depends on want you want.

Capt. Rob57, I don't think it's wise to advise a boater who is not familiar with what the boating industry is in the DR to anchor out in either Monte Cristi or Manzanillo as these areas are not as safe as others. Main stream boating is pretty new in the DR and most guide books you read will tell you NOT to stop here. The two reliable and SAFE areas where SecondChance can meet up with other boaters that are familiar with the North Coast and it's anchorages/marinas/waters are Luperon or Ocean World.

My suggestion would be to base yourself at one of those two for 6 months, explore from there ... go to Punta Rucia for an overnight trip - it's beautiful.

Another reason that Monte Crisiti, although beautiful, is not recommended is that it's close to the Hatian border where things become all the more tricky. Most insurance comapnies will not insure a boat in Hatian waters due to the risk involved ... what does that tell you about the boating saftey in that area?

I've been to Monte Cristi as well as Manzanillo many times, in fact La Playa del Morro is one of my favorite beaches on the island ... but please be sensible about the advise you give. It sounds as if SecondChance is relatively new to boating in the DR - better take it slow and learn the lay of the land (errr, water) before jumping in head first.

Stay well,
Amy

My Advice

My advice is sound having lived there for over 10 years it is very safe and a good harbor the water is deep and safe now there is little or no service but many people have boats there and there is a Club de Natico in Monte Cristi.

I agree with CaptRobt on Manzanillo.

Manzanillo has great folks, but it's a mite remote.
Monte Cristi, also remote, has access problems for sailboats. Small cruiser ok.
Ocean World has lots of charges on their price sheet besides /ft dockage.

Stop at Manzanillo enroute to case it out for a day or two, then coast over to Luper?n to check out the marinas there as well as at Ocean World before deciding anything.

NOTE on Luper?n's bottom holding: it's tenacious. But you must follow the instructions in the guidebook to the letter. You can see them at Luper?n in the Dominican Republic
Press the ANCHORING button at the bottom of the page.

Fair winds!

Well, maybe it's time I try Manzanillo again ... but remember boys, I'm looking at this from a new-commers perspective.

There are so many people who come down here, have one bad experience within their first few days and decide never to come back, much less actually explore and learn about the country and experience or try to understand it's culture.

From experience, it's best to place yourself in a comfortable situation and expolre from that point on at your own pace, if at that point you decide to go all in, then go for it! At least then you'll have some idea of what you're getting into.

Stay well,
Amy

another thought

You got it, Amy! Here's another thought, though.

There are boats for sale in Luper?n, mostly by sailors that fell in love with the country and its people and moved ashore. These represent excellent opportunities to purchase a floating condo from which to get "a year on the ground".

There are likewise "boater special" cars from time to time for sale by folks who've used them to give the country a good tour and are moving on after a hurricane season or two moored in Luper?n. See Luperon Boat Yacht Property Sales - Caribbean - Dominican Republic