Moving to Panama City

[Joe Murray]

Hello all,

Company is moving me from St Thomas to Panama City. I live on a 32 ft Gemini and I'm looking for info about marinas in the area, especially those that welcome liveaboards. I anticipate arriving in April or early May. What have I to look forwaard to?

[Fred and Margaret Keith]

You can look forward to a beautiful place to live and sail. Panama City Marina, St. Andrews Marina, and Watson Bayou Marina all welcome liveaboards, and you will have many neighbors to enjoy at any of these. You will be sitting on the Intracoastal Waterway in St. Andrew Bay, and will be near the pass into the Gulf of Mexico about one mile away. If your masthead is under 50' you can travel as far as you like either East or West on the Intracoastal. St. Andrew Bay is itself a large bay with good depths and few hazards.

Panama City is a relatively small city with little traffic congestion, and a laid-back atmosphere. It has the usual small town problems, but nothing that sullies its open and inviting nature. If you plan a trip to Panama City, post me a note on this site, and I will be glad to show you around.

[Joe Murray]

Thanks for the reply. After looking on the internet for hours, I think I'll call Panama City Marina and try to book a month there. Then I'll use that time to actually visit other places. How far is it to the new airport? That's where I'll be working. Watson Bayou looks nice too.

[Fred and Margaret Keith]

The new airport advertises itself as being 20 miles northwest of Panama City. City Marina would be a good choice. It has some security (locked gate), and is protected by concrete sea walls. It is actually in "old" downtown Panama City where there are numerous small restaurants, etc. Also it is not far from a pretty good marine supply store - Panama Marine.
Watson Bayou Marina is a little more isolated, and not quite as well protected. I kept my boat there a number of years ago, and was happy until I was offered a sweatheart deal at a private dock.