Big Creek / Placencia - Docking
Be aware there are shoal restrictions in this area. Entering the Placencia Lagoon is possible for boats with a depth of up to 7-8 feet. Most cruisers prefer to moor at Placencia, across the lagoon from Big Creek, as the channel into the commercial harbour at Big Creek is busy and narrow.
Anchoring:
Placencia Harbour is a popular anchorage with good holding, but is open to the SSE-S. It can get untenable here if the winds pick up from this direction.
In adverse conditions vessels may choose the north side of the cut or the lagoon.
For shallower draft vessels the lagoon offers miles of well protected anchoring options, with several mangrove/hurricane holes available in poor weather.
Lark Caye Range, just across from Placencia, is good in unsettled weather. Although very deep, it offers good holding and protection.
Dinghy docks:
Yoli’s dinghy dock & bar.
Security:
Ask locally before leaving your boat unattended for inland trips. Lift and lock the dinghy and outboard as in-the-water dinghy thefts have been reported here.
Marinas:
Contact marinas for waypoints, shoal restrictions and directions to their docks.
Last updated: March 2019
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Related to following destinations: Belize, Big Creek (Placencia)
Port Navigation
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Reported by Brian Simm:
After 30 days in Belize, you need to extend or sign out. For those heading south, the possible checkouts are Big Creek from Placencia or Punta Gorda. The latter is a rolly anchorage in the trade winds and so we chose to stay in the popular sheltered anchorage of Placencia town.
You can not now take a boat or dinghy to the port of Big Creek, you will be turned away by security so: –
– water taxi to Mango creek $US 12 return for 2.
– taxi to take you round the offices $US 12.50
– immigration, environment charge $US 7.50 for 2 and boarding charge ( without leaving office) $US 45.00.
– post office to check that you are up to date with your daily fee.
– Customs for Zarpe, 24 hours to leave.
All painless but allow 3 hours or so, the best time is 10.00AM water taxi and back for lunch.
Placencia and the southern islands are popular with the large cruising community who keep their boats up the Ria Dulce in Guatemala. The estimate is c. 1000 yachts in the area.
Brian Simm
Scraatch, 56 ft Sundeer.
Reported 23 March 2016 by CSSN:
Three men in a dinghy attempted to take our dinghy at around 2:00 AM. They cut the two lines that secured our dinghy to our boat. They must not have seen the cable and lock which made their attempt unsuccessful.
When clearing in or out, you will be asked the time you are departing or arriving. be sure to give them time within business hours otherwise they will charge you an overtime fee – even though you’re in their office during business hours. i.e. don’t say you’re leaving at dawn; say you’re leaving at 9:00 a.m.. and you can check out a day in advance if you ask nicely.
Placencia is a charming little village. Good supermarket and great restaurants.