Monday, March 16, 2020

Marina Pescaderia, Puerto Rico


Puerto Real, Puerto Rico

15-February-2020

Marina Pescaderia, a great base for travelling Puerto Rico
Puerto Real and road trips in western Puerto Rico

Jose Mendez has joined George Munro, Port Antonio, Jamaica on our very short list of our favourite marina managers. Jose’s architect wife and he designed and built the marina about seven years ago. He is always smiling and offering assistance. On arrival he provided a computer with the US Homeland Security website form to be filled out and arranged our US customs and immigration officer’s visit at the marina. He provided a several page printout of all the services, both in the marina and on the street out front for any needs a cruiser may have as well as a good summary of all the sites in the vicinity to visit. He has a rental car facility on site and the cars are new and very inexpensive. There is a reasonable priced laundry and to Mags’ delight, hot water in the showers. They designed the marina with space for five independent businesses in the marina complex. First there is a sport fishing supply store, second Twin Marine Electronics Service run by Anibal and his office manager Maria, next, a scuba diving store complete with compressor to fill tanks, then West Coast Sailing where Dario has a mini store and cafe with cold beverages and chairs and space for the afternoon happy hour frequented by both long term marina residents and transient cruisers. Dario is also a West Marine outlet and can bring marine supplies in from the San Juan West Marine Store within 24 hours. Finally there is a fish store were the local fishermen bring their fresh lobsters and every type of local fish imaginable. An extremely well thought out space that is well utilized.
The Barber was on the dock

We soon met several cruisers at the dock and anchored in the bay. Our closest neighbours were Isabel and Ramesh on the US flagged s/v Yebo and Sam and Adrian on the British boat s/v Neva. Both incredibly interesting couples with Sam and Adrian regaling us with their stories of chartering and yacht deliveries while Isabel with stories of Venezuela and Ramesh with his youth in India and collectively with their extensive travels worldwide, particularly in Africa. Ted and Mo from Vancouver who were anchored in the bay were great company on an evening trip to Rincon for the night art crawl as well as shopping in Mayaguez. We also rented a car from Jose and travelled to Ponce for a Home Depot run and major provisioning at the larger stores there. Although there are several good restaurants beside the marina, the folding bike was an asset for runs to Walgreens and a local bakery. Finally, we again rented a car to visit the south western corner of Puerto Rico to see the Cabo Rojo lighthouse where the rolling surf and strong buffeting winds confirmed we were still waiting for a weather window. We travelled through Combate beach a bit farther north, and finally the old seaside town of Boqueron.

After an excellent visit and meeting many new people the weather changed with a high pressure building to the north, our window to go east along the south coast opened and we once again untied the dock lines.

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