ANCHOR HERE IN FRONT OF THE RESTAURANT/MARINA

18°12.42N 70°35.01W

28.0 nm from Barahona

The bay of Calderas measures two miles by one mile with sandy beaches all along the northern shore.  If you are coming from the east, AFTER you round the point, as you go north up towards the entrance to the harbor, be careful for a FISH FARM/FISH TRAP that is located at approx. : 18.13N and 70.33 W .  It is not lit and of a fairly good size.  Pass on either side of it.

The vistas of the mountains as you approach the harbor are dramatic and inspiring.

Once inside the wide entrance, having followed the red and green marker buoys there is a channel that will lead you to the south western part of the bay. (Easy approach, well marked, sand bottom). Here you will see a restaurant/hotel complex. They also have about 20 slips out front, which are privately owned, but may be rented if they are empty.
The hotel is the Salinas Hotel and Restaurant. Its proprietor, Jorge Domenech speaks perfect English and will help you in any way he can. He plans to put in a few moorings. If you take one and pay the daily rate, you may use the WiFi internet and take water free. The restaurant is excellent (Breakfast, lunch and dinner); the prices
moderate. The hotel also sells diesel fuel and can be counted on to get you expert repairmen from the commercial wharf if you need mechanical repairs.

You may anchor most anywhere in the bay although the most convenient area for getting ashore is outside the marina/hotel where the depth is twelve feet with good holding in sand.
On the south shore is a large salt lake and buildings associated with the production of salt, from whence comes the name ‘Salinas’. The views within the anchorage are beautiful and the water in the bay
is clear.

THE VIEW BEHIND YOU AFTER YOU ANCHOR—FANTASTIC!

Walk through and behind to the village of Salinas which is a very typical Dominican waterside village. The nightlife is bustling and loud.
This is a good stopping off place before continuing onward to Boca Chica to the east or westward towards Haiti. You can clear in or out in Las Salinas with immigration and customs. The process here is more geared to the arrival and departure of commercial craft, and initial clearence into the country may be easier in Boca Chica or Casa De Campo. (Both have facilities inside the marina, with government staff trained to handle pleasure craft). However if this is your first point of entry, you must clear in. Follow the procedures outlined in the introduction.

IN TOWN:
El Ricon Resturant
Calle Primera
Tel: 809 986 1680
Speak to John Martinez for local information. His mother, Marisol, will cook food to order and the catch of the day. Pick out your fish from a serving tray and it will be cooked perfectly, with all the trimmings, at a very reasonable price. If you want some precooked food packaged to carry back to your boat this can also be
arranged. Along the same road are also a large number of colmados for canned and packaged food supplies.
You will also find in town, some small supermarkets (colmados, bodegas), where you can buy essentials and fresh produce.

Related posts:

1. Port of Andres (Boca Chica)
2. La Caleta
3. Palmar de Ocoa