A few months ago, I had posted a few inquiries on the Panama Cruisers Facebook Page and received a lot of feedback.  One of the responses was from Juan Jo, the manager at Shelter Bay Marina.  We had several correspondences over the next few weeks and he proved to be very helpful, professional, and super friendly.

There is a marvelous sailing community here at Shelter Bay Marina (SBM) with several boats staying on as permanent residents on the hard or in the slip.  I can see why as the marina offers several wonderful amenities.

The main building houses the marina office, restaurant, bar, and upstairs captain’s lounge.

Shelter Bay Marina main restaurant.

A few steps to the left of the main building is a strip where you can find a fairly well stocked mini-market, chandlery, and gym.

Mini market, chandlery, gym at Shelter Bay Marina.

They have a beautiful pool and hot tub where they offer water aerobics daily at 1600.

Pool and hot tub at SBM

Each night they have happy hour from 1700-2000 with $1.50 beer and $2 rum drinks.  The cruisers come together to share war stories, information on the crossing and general fun.

This is Matt’s and our friend Mark from “Una Mas”  motto:

Because it is always time for a beer.

They also have a really cool sail loft that used to be a movie theater.  The sail loft has a sweet little herb garden for the cruisers and a wall where you can write your boat name for posterity.

Sail loft in abandoned theater.

A cruisers palapa for gatherings, happy hour, and Sunday funday.

Cruiser Palapa

The marina also has many activities throughout the week including:

• Movie night
• Open mic night
• Sunday Funday at the  Cruisers Palapa
• Christian studies
• Water Aerobics
• Nature hikes