San Andres and Isla de Providencia

[Cynthia Thomas]

Good Afternoon, we are looking at transiting the Panama canal at the end of the month onward to Grand Cayman. We were interested in a possible stop at either of the captioned Colombian islands. We are hearing varying reports with regard to safety issues. Would appreciate if anyone has recent insights/experience.

 

[Davil1]

I stopped in San Andrés in 1999, so my experience is not current, lovely.

The reason I post is that were to return from the canal I will consider very seriously that option to avoid the concurrent thread on safety regarding the Honduras Guatemala area.

Just a thought.

 

[mvweebles]

Seramilla Bank is about 200 nms east of Gracias a Dios, the northern tip of Nicuragua where it borders Honduras. According to CSSN reports, there has been a pattern of piracy and suspicious activity off this point within 100 nms, though recent reports as of yesterday and exactly one year before (Apr 20 2023) has noted some recent events at around 140 nms out.

OP does not mention their boat so I can only speak towards my little Willard 36 that has a cruise speed of 6.5 kts. If I were in a larger boat, my approach would differ.

I'm planning to transit the area next April/May, the best time to head up the Caribbean. If I were leaving now, I'd probably head from Providencia to Seramilla Bank, a 175 nm run to the NE (200 nms east of Gracias a Dios). There is a lousy anchorage there and a small Colombian Navy station. From there, it's 225 nms to Cayman Islands though I would not plan to wait out weather at Seramilla Bank as there is very limited protection.

A couple tips for the OP if you are not already familiar -

Consider joining the Panama Posse. It's a mixed bag, but there are some serious cruisers in the bunch who are actively cruising all sorts of destinations, including the route you're considering.

Second, take a look at NoForeignLand App for iPhone or Android. It's the modern version of Active Captain. Updates are more recent, and boats can be tracked.

OP also doesn't say where they're headed. Distance from Panama Canal to Ft Lauderdale/Miami area via the eastern route (Jamaica, then Bahamas) is about the same as coming up the Yucatan Channel to the west of Cuba. I suspect a lot of folks chose the western route because they think they'll get a big bump from the Gulf Stream - that's not always the case, at least not the extent you'd think due to undulations of the Stream.

Good luck - please update with trip details if you go. I'm very conflicted on this part of our cruise.

Peter

 

[slowgoesit]

We transited from San Blas Islands, Panama to Fort Myers, Florida last month, arriving in Florida on 25 April. We had originally planned on stopping in either San Andreas, or Providencia, but after hearing reports from cruisers that check in/check out was costing upwards of $300 to $500 usd, we elected to bypass, changing our plans to go to the Cayman Islands instead. We ended up making a Wx decision about 100 miles short of the Caymans, and just continued on straight to Florida.

In my opinion, heading to San Andreas or Providencia puts you too close to Nicaragua for comfort. Based on our experience of a large fishing boat attempting to close on us 140nm off the border of Nicaragua/Honduras, vicinity of Thunder Knoll, (Lat/Long: 16.21.197N, 81.26.630W) , approximate 175 nm SSW of Grand Caymans on 20 April at 1830 local, we will give that area a WIDE berth in future. We made multiple, radical course changes, and the other vessel matched our course changes immediately each time, coming again to an interception course.

More info available on thread:

Attempted Piracy?

As some of you may be aware, Laura and I, aboard MV Muirgen are finishing up our voyage from the PNW, down the West Coast, through the Panama Canal, and now across the Caribbean Sea, enroute to Florida. The following incident occurred several hours ago, and I thought it important enough to...

www.trawlerforum.com

 

[mvweebles]

Thanks Scot - a few items about how we approach our itinerary and safety/security concerns.

First, Cheryll spotted this NYT article about seven colors of blue..... (HERE - paywall ) on San Andres (Instagram page is accessible without paywall HERE). Definitely piqued our interest.

Second, the Seramilla Bank anchorage is about 100 nms east of the position logged for your CSSN report - and it also has a small Colombian Navy presence.

Third, Noonsite lists entrance costs into San Andres as $43 per passenger, and $90-$100 for agent fees (an agent is required - LINK HERE). But no matter, given the big picture, $300-$500 would not be a show stopper. Costa Rica has incredibly high fees and frankly seems to view anyone on a boat as a cash cow.

Finally, we continue to monitor the situation and may actually head to Colombia first and depart from there---- even though US insurance companies will not insure us in Colombia. We do our best to understand the risk and adjust, but there seems to be a reason to avoid just about everywhere. Can you imagine what folks must say about visiting the US with some of the outrageous and senseless crimes that happen here that make world news? It's a wonder anyone comes....

I don't think we are cavalier about safety, but we have found that once we actually get to a place that is suppsedly dangerous, people live normal lives and do normal things.

Peter

 

[Sealife]

If you do go, try to make a stop at Albuquerque Cays south of San Andres. Very cool experience.