Puerto Plata / Cofresi - General Info
Where is Puerto Plata?
Puerto Plata old port on the north coast of the Dominican Republic is a commercial port with clearance facilities.
Cofresi is just west of Puerto Plata and is where Ocean World Marina is located, based within a resort and casino village. This is a handy marina for clearing into the DR, with English-speaking officials, and Noonsite has received many positive reports from cruisers who have done so here.
Puerto Plata Cruiser Highlights:
Ocean World Marina is close to Puerto Plata, has an airport for crew transfer and is also close to Santiago airport. Full service boatyard here for repairs and maintenance with haulout suitable for catamarans. Clearance facilities. Fuel. English speaking marina staff and officials.
Puerto Plata Entrance Notes and Cautions:
The entrance channel is well marked with buoys. Call the harbor master on VHF. Ch: 16/68 when approaching the channel. The Armada/Navy have assisted vessels in distress over the years.
If there are strong winds from the north, this can create quite a surge within the marina, a situation that is very difficult to predict. There is, however, lots of space within the marina to manoeuvre.
Puerto Plata Position:
19° 49’43″N, 70° 44’01″W (marina entrance)
Last updated: March 2024
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Related to following destinations: Dominican Republic, Puerto Plata (Cofresi)
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Valiant 40. Spent a couple of days before heading to the Caicos. Eddie and Pedro were VERY helpful at the fuel dock, getting into our slip, and throughout our stay. All other staff were friendly and professional. The onsite restaurant food was a good value for a marina. The slip rate was US $1.60 which we thought was high for the DR. All clearing in/out is by onsite officials, coordinated by the marina staff — easy as long as you understand the “voluntary” $20 tips.
In general, the facilities are nice and pretty well maintained. Concrete docks are fixed and high, but have bumpers installed. In 15-kt winds, the boat had a bit of movement but at least on the east end, no surge. Our onboard devices and amplifier could “see” several marina wifi access points but we could not connect to any of them despite multiple attempts throughout the day. (We did connect to an open access point from the adjacent hotel which is a separate business.) If they had good Wifi, I’d award 4 or 5 stars. As it was, considering the price, the staff gets a 5 and the marina facilities get a 3.
Sue, you are spot on. We were there April to witness complete jackhammer destruction of the amenities and beautiful OW decor. No more pool for Marina guests. No disco. No casino. lIfestyles resort has taken over the place for their guests. Cold water showers with no security…not be able to lock doors.
Coldwater laundry that is commandeered by someone preventing your use. Erratic operating hours. A very loud speaker from the cafe venue that runs until very late for the locals. No lounge to speak of, and is not air-conditioned. Doors stand open. Long walk to facilities. Staff and fuel are good. Check-in is very good and efficient. $12.50 per person and $75 for other processing fees for entry. Get fuel here, check in here. See Bravissimo if possible, then leave. The surge was major. Captain was adjusting lines daily+
I have just spent a great 5 days in Ocean World Marina, my yacht is a 140′ motor yacht so not like many of the readers here. It is a bit rolly but that is the North Coast for you, the staff were excellent, the facilities were great and the cost was low.
All in all, OWM took great care of us and I’d recommend to all. Tie up port & stbd if there is a swell, I have and we sit at the dock just fine.
Posted on behalf of Plumer – February 2014
Re: Docking information above
There is nothing like a ” small amount of surge ” at Ocean World Marina and any or all attempts to repair this have fallen short. In fact repair of anything at OWM has fallen short. The only thing that works there is Robert and his crew on the docks.