Marina Review – Puerto Bahia Marina, Dominican Republic

Overview of Puerto Bahia Marina

Puerto Bahia Marina Ariel View

On the East Coast of the Dominican Republic, Puerto Bahia Marina lies nestled between the Mountains and the Sea in the beautiful Samana Bay.
An Oasis of sorts, this marina is a favorite stopping point for many cruising boats. For those sailing west, it offers a safe harbor and a relaxing atmosphere after a stressful Mona Passage from Puerto Rico. For Boats traveling east across the North Coast of the DR, This marina greats you with a level of luxury unseen after spending hurricane season in Luperon. Do yourself a favor and spend a week here and just relax. And at $1 per foot, it won’t break the bank.

Dockage

Puerto Bahia Sunset Dock View

Built in 2010, Puerto Bahia Marina is equipped with a modern reinforced concrete dock system. The docks suffered minimal damage from the 2017 hurricanes, Irma and Maria, and remain fully functional. We found that approaching the marina was easy and straight forward. The wide fairways provide plenty of room to maneuver. Hail the marina on your VHF as you enter, and you are sure to have a dockhand, or two, there help you tie up.
Transient rates vary based on length of stay and range from a daily rate of $1.25/ft/day, the weekly rate of $1.00/ft/day and a monthly rate of $0.60/ft/day — cheaper long term rates.

There are electrical connections at each slip, though you may have to search for your desired connection type (30 or 50 AMP). We had to move slips to find a functioning post but had no issues once connected. Electrical is metered and billed at $0.65 per kW hour, which can add up quick if you plan on running your air conditioner non-stop.

Water is billed daily at $1 per day, and the water is not potable. I do not recommend filling your tanks with this water, though it is perfectly fine for washing the boat or hosing down the dog. The Puerto Bahia Marina can help you arrange for filters water to be delivered to your boat.
Wifi is included with your dockage, though the signal can be weak at the docks. The signal is much better near the hotel.

• 107 Slips at Puerto Bahia Marina
• Reinforced concrete docks for yachts up to 150.’
• Non-potable water at the dock ($1.00 per day)
• Electrical connections: 30/50/100 AMP – Metered at $0.65/kW *Available connections vary from slip to slip
• Free Wifi *Signal strength varies from slip to slip

Services

Puerto Bahia Docks

In addition to 24-hour security and on-site concierge service, the marina can arrange for taxi service to town or for a rental car to be delivered. Puerto Bahia Marina is equipped with a fuel dock just inside the seawall which supplies both diesel and gasoline, and there are many eager young gentlemen onsite eager to clean and buff your boat or polish your stainless. You can also arrange for one of them to clean your bottom before your next passage.

As far as more substantial mechanical or repair services, the marina is limited. There are, however, some off-site resources that can usually meet your needs. Just ask around for any kind of canvas, fiberglass, or engine work. The Dominicans are resourceful people. And though business is sometimes performed on a less than professional level, you can usually get by in a pinch.

Puerto Bahia Marina is the best place to check in or out of the Dominican Republic by boat. Comandante Shepard is easy going and very accommodating to cruisers. The check-in office is located next to the dockmaster, and the Comandante is on site almost every day. Read this guide if checking into Luperon.

• Fuel Dock (Diesel and Gas)
• Boat Cleaning/Polishing/Detailing
• Bottom Cleaning
• Additional Boat services are limited
• Taxi and Rental Car on-site
• 24-hour security
• Concierge Service
• DR customs and immigration on-site

Amenities

Puerto Bahia Cafe Del Mar Pool

Because the marina is part of a complex that houses a luxury hotel and condominium resort, the amenities are top notch. Of course, the basic cruiser needs are met with Restrooms, Showers and on-site laundry facilities. Marina guests also have access to the boutique style hotel lounge, gym, on-site tennis courts, spa, multiple restaurants and bars, and of course, any of the resorts five pools, including two infinity pools that overlook Samana Bay where you can sip on a Pina Colada and watch the whales migrate.

Well behaved pets are welcome at the resort. Just keep them on a leash and clean up after them.

We took full advantage of the hotel’s communal billiard room, equipped with lounge furniture and flat screen tv. A cooler jumbo Presidentes, cheap rum, and cruisers talking smart… nothing better!

• Restrooms and Showers
• Laundry (One washer/One Dryer)
• Gym
• 5 Pools
• Mini-Mart
• Spa and Salon
• Billiard Room
• Tennis Courts
• Three restaurants
• Luxury Hotel
• Pets are welcome

Exploring and Provisioning

Puerto Bahia Condos

If the on-site mini-mart doesn’t have what you need, the town of Samana is busy and full of energy, like many Dominican towns. You can take a walk (30-40 minutes), flag down a motoconcho, take a taxi from the marina, for dinghy into town for provisions. They have a well-stocked grocery store for most of what you need. Many vegetables stand for fresh local produce and a liquor store for rum, beer, and wine.
Road trip to El Limon for horseback riding and breathtaking waterfalls. Take a trip to Las Terrenas on the north side of the peninsula for boutique hotels on idyllic palm-lined beaches.

Samana Bay has many great spots for you to explore by boat as well, though you will need to get a despacho from the Navy before moving to and from any harbor. There may also be unclear anchoring rules and mooring fees (confusion is the norm in the DR). Los Haitises National Park is one of the crown jewels of the Dominican Republic’s national park system. The park also boasts high rock formations jutting out of the water, extensive mangroves along its bay, as well as a series of caves known for having a high number of petroglyphs and pictographs.

Conclusion

Puerto Bahia Marina Upper Deck Pool

For any boat and crew coming off hurricane season in Luperon, Puerto Bahia Marina is a sight for sore eyes. It’s quiet, luxurious, and comfortable. Any boat making passage either direction will appreciate the finer things it has to offer. It makes even the saltiest cruiser feel like a rich yachty, without the price tag. However, if your objective is to stop in for repairs and maintenance, then you better have everything you need and plan to do most of it yourself. Though, you will have plenty of hands available for basic non-skilled labor. (cleaning, buffing, waxing, etc.)

We highly recommend a stop at Puerto Bahia Marina for the cost to value factor, luxury amenities, and an overall pleasant stay.

Watch Our Video Review

Marina Website: www.puertobahiasamana.com