Three Marinas of Fajardo

Three Marinas of Fajardo
by Ellen Birrell
)
NTERESTED IN A SUBJECTIVE ORGANIC LOOK AT THREE MARINAS
ON THE EAST COAST OF 0UERTO 2ICO 2EAD ON
-Y HUSBAND AND ) USED OUR COMBINED YEAR
HOSPITALITY AND RESORT MANAGEMENT BACKGROUND AND RECENT
YEARS ABOARD 3UN /DYSSEY "OLDLY 'O TO QUALIFY OUR
COMMENTS &ROM .ORTH !MERICAS LARGEST MARINA 0UERTO
$EL 2EY TO BOUTIQUE MARINAS LIKE 3UNBAY AND )SLETA WE
SAMPLED THREE OF SEVEN &AJARDO MARINAS
7HERE (OW 7HY &AJARDO
7ITHIN MINUTES OF %L 9UNQUE RAINFOREST ,UQUILLO
KIOSKOS AND BEACHES AND PRISTINE COASTAL ISLANDS
&AJARDO HAS MUCH TO OFFER )F YOU WANT UNLIMITED
CULTURE AND CUISINE GO TO 0ONCE OR 3AN *UAN &AJARDO
DOES BOAST 7ALDORF !STORIA #OLLECTION %L #ONQUISTADOR
AND IT STANDS TALL FOR BEAUTY AND ADVENTURE ON LAND
AND PROXIMITY BY SEA TO ISLAND GEMS 7ITHIN TWO TO
TEN HOURS YOU CAN SAIL TO ANY 3PANISH 53 OR "RITISH
6IRGIN ISLAND
4HE 53 RECEIVED ITS FIRST .ATIONAL 0ARK WHEN IT
ACQUIRED 0UERTO 2ICO IN %L 9UNQUES VISITOR CENTER
RAINFOREST CANOPY TRAILS AND VIEWS ARE FANTASTIC !S
WELL BEACHES KIOSKOS ZIPLINE GOLF COURSES AND 2UTA
0ANORAMICA ARE WITHIN MINUTES OF &AJARDO
)N &AJARDO STATUES PROMENADES AND BALLPARKS ARE
EVIDENT BUT RUN DOWN ! MALL REPLETE WITH 7EST -ARINE
7ALMART 0EP "OYS /FFICE -AX %CONO GROCERIES AND
NUMEROUS SMALL STORES IS ON THE WEST EDGE OF TOWN /NE
MILE AWAY IS A +MART 3EARS AND 'RANDE GROCERY STORE
0UBLICOS APPROXIMATELY PER LEG AND RENTAL
CARS ARE CONVENIENT AND MODERATELY PRICED 4AXIS ARE
AVAILABLE "USES DONT WORK FOR RUNNING ERRANDS OR
SIGHTSEEING "IKE RIDING IS MY CHOICE BUT YOU MUST BRAVE
TRAFFIC 7ALKING WORKS BUT MALLS ARE DISTANT 3AN *UAN
)NTERNATIONAL LOCATED MINUTES EAST OFFERS !IR4RAN
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*ET"LUE !MERICAN $ELTA AND OTHERS WITH GOOD PRICING
AND SHORT NUMEROUS FLIGHTS
$OTTING THE STRETCH FROM &AJARDO TO #ULEBRA LIES
UNDERWATER MOUNTAIN RANGE #ORDILLERA ,IKE SKIPPING
STONES TINY TIPS OF #ORDILLERA PRICK THE OCEAN SURFACE
TO FORM A CRESCENT LINE WEST TO EAST n A PENETRABLE
PINCUSHION TO THE MIGHTY !TLANTIC /CEAN #ULEBRA IS
KNOWN TO OPEN WATER SAILORS AS THE JUMPING OFF POINT
,ATITUDES !TTITUDES FROM THE %ASTERN #ARIBBEAN TO .ORTH
!MERICA "ERMUDA AND %UROPE
,ETS MAKE A LOOP STARTING IN
SOUTHERN &AJARDO WITH 0UERTO $EL 2EY
THEN SAIL NORTH AND POP IN ON )SLETA AND
3UNBAY STANDING WITHIN A MILE OF EACH
OTHER IN &AJARDO (ARBOR 3LIP INTO FLIP
FLOPS AND SUNGLASSES FOR AN UP CLOSE
AND PERSONAL LOOK AT THREE MARINAS OF
EASTERN 0UERTO 2ICO
4HE #ARIBBEAN #OMPASS
TRIENNIAL READERS SURVEY POSED h7HAT
ARE THE TOP THREE THINGS YOU LOOK FOR IN
AN ANCHORAGEv 9ACHTIES FOR THE FIRST
TIME EVER INCLUDED 7I&I )T SQUEEZED
OUT DINGHY DOCKS AND FELL IN BEHIND
THE CONSISTENT TOP TWO WINNERS CLEAN
ENVIRONMENT AND FRIENDLY PEOPLE WWW
0$2 A SHORT TAXI RIDE FROM TOWN INCLUDES SHOPS
CARIBBEANCOMPASSCOM ARCHIVE !PRIL
CHANDLERY SERVICES 4HRIFTY #AR 2ENTAL ACCOMMODATIONS
7E LOOK FOR SOME OF THE SAME THINGS IN A MARINA
RESTAURANTS AND A CENTRAL FOUNTAIN ALL PART OF A
-ODERN 0UERTO $EL 2EY AND 3UNBAY -ARINAS PROVIDE
COMPREHENSIVE -EDITERRANEAN ARCHITECTURAL STYLE 9OU GET
7I&I PUMP OUT CABLE 46 AND FUEL ,AUNDRY SHOWERS
THE FEELING YOUVE ARRIVED
RESTROOM AMENITIES AND FOOT MINIMUM DEPTHS ARE
0$2 IS WELL KNOWN FOR EXTENSIVE PROFESSIONAL HAUL
COMMON AMONGST ALL THREE MARINAS $IFFERENT IN AGE SIZE
OUT SERVICES !USSIE 2OB FROM THE KETCH !RITA RAVES
SERVICES AND FLAVOR IRONICALLY PRICING PER FOOT PER DAY IS
h7HEN ) COULDNT GET AN ANSWER FROM )SLETA ) GOT HAULED
SIMILAR FOR ALL THREE
RIGHT OUT AT 0UERTO $EL 2EY 7E WERE IN AND OUT IN TWO
0UERTO $EL 2EY
DAYS FOR PAINTING AND SERVICING n FAST n AND FOR A GREAT
,IKE %LVIS SO GIGANTIC IT DOESNT NEED THE WORD
PRICE !ND THEY DID A GREAT JOB ON MY CUTLASS BEARINGv
MARINA IN ITS TITLE 3ELFCONTAINED 0UERTO $EL 2EY
4HE APPROACH IS OPEN EASY 7ELLMARKED AND MODERN
SLIPS ARE WELL APPOINTED 0$2S LOGOED INSULATED
BACKPACK AND COMPLIMENTARY 3PANISH 6IRGIN )SLANDS
CHART MADE OUR ARRIVAL EXTRA WELCOMING 'OLF CART
SERVICE OR A MINUTE WALK GETS YOU FROM SLIP TO SHORE
#ENTRALIZED SHOWERRESTROOM FACILITIES ARE CONVENIENT
0$2 HAS CATS CATS ON DOCKS CATS ASHORE 7ELCOME
RODENT CONTROL WE STEPPED OVER -OMMA #AT LYING PRONE
IN THE LAUNDRY DOORWAY LEGS SPLAYED EIGHT NIPPLES
POINTING SKYWARD
%NORMOUS HOISTS SEVERAL TRAVEL LIFTS DESIGNATED PROJECT
AREAS AND STACKED STORAGE ABOUND 4IE DOWN STORAGE IS
COVETED SPACE OFTEN SOLD OUT DURING HURRICANE SEASON
!S GENERAL MANAGER !LAIN 'UIDICE BRINGS AN EXTENSIVE
BACKGROUND SHIPS CAPTAIN RESORT AND MARINA DEVELOPER
AND MANAGER AND SALES AND MARKETING EXECUTIVE (E WAS
,ATITUDES !TTITUDES
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MOST RECENTLY WITH GLOBAL YACHTING CONGLOMERATE #AMPER .ICHOLSONS OUT OF -ALTA (E RECENTLY CAME TO 0$2S HELM TO
AMONGST MANY THINGS RECONFIGURE AND CREATE 4 DOCKS AND
FLEXIBLE SPACE FOR MORE CATAMARANS AND MEGAYACHTS
3TAFF AT 9ACHT (AVEN 'RANDE MILES EAST IN 3T 4HOMAS
INDICATES h/UR MEGAYACHT SLIPS WERE FULL THE FOUR PEAK
MONTHS THIS YEARv 0$2 PLANS TO CAPITALIZE ON THAT
#OMPLETED IN 3PRING THE DOCKSIDE CLUBHOUSE
REPLETE WITH BAR FURNISHINGS POOL TABLE FOOSBALL AND
OTHER GAMES AND AN ELEGANT LOUNGE ASHORE BRING
ADDITIONAL CLASS AND PRIVACY FOR VISITING YACHTIES !LL PART
OF CREATING A HOME AWAY FROM AFFLUENT HOME ATMOSPHERE
IN ADDITION TO 0$2S GOLF COURSE THEY WILL ADD A HELIPAD
AND FIVE STAR HOTEL IN UPCOMING YEARS
,OCATED MINUTES SOUTH EX53 .AVAL AIR BASE
2OOSEVELT 2OADS FOOT RUNWAY CAN ACCOMMODATE
THE WORLDS LARGEST JETS !LAIN BELIEVES PRIVATE JET USAGE
WILL GROW 7ITH AN EMPHASIS ON FAMILY RELAXATION 0UERTO
$EL 2EY IS CREATING MORE AMENITIES FOR MEGA YACHT
TRANSIENT AND LOCAL YACHT OWNERS AND CHARTERERS ALIKE
)SLETA -ARINA
%STABLISHED DECADES AGO )SLETA BECAME KNOWN AS
4(% MARINA FOR CRUISERS IN EASTERN
0UERTO 2ICO )T ENJOYED GOOD ACCESS
FOR ARRIVING YACHTS FROM THE 536) AND
"6) EN ROUTE WEST TO THE $OMINICAN
2EPUBLIC OR FOR EXPLORING 6IEQUES
AND #ULEBRA WHICH AT THAT TIME WERE
NOT REFERRED TO AS THE 3PANISH 6IRGIN
)SLANDS BECAUSE 53 .AVAL BOMBING
ACTIVITIES LIMITED THEIR APPEAL 4ODAY
SAFE AND SOUND THE AREA HAS A HOST
OF MARINAS FROM (UMACAO TO &AJARDO
FROM WHICH TO CHOOSE
!T )SLETA YOULL MEET VIBRANT PEOPLE
LIKE (IPOLITO OF 2AFAGA 7IND 'UST
0EDRO OF "LUE 2UNNING AND *OSE OF
"ALAJU n "ENETEAU OWNERS AND
"ORIS WHO DESIGNED BUILT AND SAILED
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HIS STEEL SLOOP FROM 2USSIA TO THE #ARIBBEAN AFTER THE
REVOLUTION )T IS A MARINA OF SAILORS WHO RACE IN THE
LOCAL CIRCUIT WEEKEND 0UERTO 2ICAN POWER BOATERS AND
LIVEABOARDS WHO CALL )SLETA HOME
)SLETA SHARES A SMALL ISLAND WITH TWO CONDOMINIUM
TOWERS ONE MILE FROM THE MAINLANDS "AHIA &AJARDO )T
HOUSES )SLETAS FERRY DOCK OFFERING COMPLIMENTARY SHUTTLES
PASSENGER AND CARGO FERRY DOCKS FOR 6IEQUES AND #ULEBRA
AND A LARGE PINK BUILDING HOUSING 53 #USTOMS AND
)MMIGRATION )SLETA IS THE ONLY MARINA OF OUR THREE THAT HAS
AN ADJACENT PROTECTED ANCHORAGE
3HALLOW DEPTH READINGS NEAR SLIP ENTRANCES HAD US
NERVOUS 7ITH SHOALS THAT PRESS IN AROUND THE MARINA
ENTRANCE AND A MIDSIZED FERRY COMING THROUGH EVERY
MINUTES ACCESS REQUIRES CAUTION !PPROACHING A SLIP
THERE ARE NO FINGERS TO JUMP OFF ON 7ITHOUT THRUSTERS
GETTING A SAILBOAT IN AND OUT IS TRICKY BUSINESS
%NGULFED BY ISLAND SHOALS REEFS AND HARBOR WE
THOUGHT THE WATER WOULD BE QUIET BUT "OLDLY 'O TUGGED
ON HER DOCKING LINES MUCH OF OUR STAY ,IKE 3UNBAY )SLETA
INCLUDES UNLIMITED WATER AND ELECTRICITY IN THEIR FLAT DAILY
WEEKLY OR MONTHLY RATE
,ATITUDES !TTITUDES 4HE HAUL OUT HAS HAD A REPUTATION FOR QUALITY WORK AT
REASONABLE PRICES !CCORDING TO $ONALD 3TREET h5LTRA
VIOLET RAYS NOT ONLY RUIN SAILS BUT ALSO TRAVEL LIFT SLINGSx
ASCERTAIN WHETHER OR NOT THE HAULING FACILITY HAS INSURANCE
TO COVER DAMAGE TO BOATS THEY ARE HAULINGv #ARIBBEAN
#OMPASS -AY 4HE RESTROOMSHOWER FACILITIES WHILE SPACIOUS SHOW
THEIR AGE (OWEVER WOMENS SHOWERS STREAM HOT WATER
n VIVA MACHISMO
.OT OFFERED BY THE MARINA A RESOURCEFUL CRUISER CAN
ACCESS 7I&I WITH A BOOSTER AND FINAGLED ACCESS CODE
FROM THE CONDO GUARD 7ITH A CHEERFUL h"UENOS DIASv
HELL LET YOU ON THE GROUNDS TO USE THEIR SIGNAL
,ATITUDES !TTITUDES
)SLETAS MARINA CAF£ AND BAR IS WELLMANAGED
FRIENDLY OFTEN FESTIVE 4HE OWNER ADDED A MINIMART
LAUNDRY AND RESTROOMS IN &EBRUARY /PEN FROM
EARLY MORNING TO LATE EVENING DAILY THE ENVIRONMENT
IS SIMPATICO AND INCLUSIVE )F YOU SPEAK 3PANISH OR
2USSIAN ALL THE BETTER
)F YOU WANT A DISCOUNTED WEEKLY OR MONTHLY RATE AND
CAMARADERIE WITH LOCALS AND LIVEABOARDS )SLETA IS FOR YOU
3UNBAY -ARINA
7HEN +ATHRYN AND ) HAVE A CHOICE TO STAY IN A LARGE
OR BOUTIQUE HOTEL WE CHOOSE SMALL BOUTIQUE BECAUSE OF
THE QUALITY AND PERSONALIZED SERVICE 4HATS HOW WE FEEL
ABOUT 3UNBAY -ARINA 7ELL BE BASED HERE AS WE EXPLORE
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0UERTO 2ICO AND THE 3PANISH 6IRGIN
)SLANDS AND TAKE FRIENDS ON THE BOAT
THROUGHOUT THE WINTER AND SPRING $AVID "ESEMER OF 4HREE 3EA
'ERMAN CRUISERS ASKED h7HY
DO YOU STAY HEREv 4HEY WERE
DISAPPOINTED THAT THERE WERE NO
RESTAURANTS OR BARS WITHIN AN EASY WALK
4HE BRAINCHILD OF A CONSTRUCTION
BUSINESS OWNER AND HIS COLLEGE DEAN
WIFE /LGA $IAZ DE 0EREZ 3UNBAY
HAS A UNIQUE FOOTPRINT OF WHICH
EXTENDS OUT FROM SHORE #LIFFS COLORFUL
CONDOS AND TOWERING %L 9UNQUE
PROVIDE A SCENIC BACKDROP
/LGA SIGHS WISTFULLY REMEMBERING
THEIR .OVEMBER OPENING h-Y
PHILOSOPHY IS UNA MARINA DIFFERENTE
USING PUMPOUT AND BEST PRACTICES TO KEEP DIESEL AND
POR LO QUE HACEMOS Y COMO LO HACEMOSv ! MARINA
OTHER POLLUTANTS OUT OF THE WATERS 3UNBAY IS A 'REEN
DIFFERENT BECAUSE OF WHAT WE DO AND HOW WE DO IT h)
-ARINA USES ECOFRIENDLY CLEANING PRODUCTS AND HAS
MIX POWER BOATERS AND SAIL BOATERS ON THE MARINA
MANATEE LIVING IN THE MARINA
SLIPS !LL LOVE THE SEA !LIKE THEY ENJOY REACHING THEIR
h) STARTED 0IRATES #OVE (AVE YOU BEEN IN THERE
ANCHORAGE ) BELIEVE THAT THEY HAVE MORE IN COMMON
)T CAN BE USED FOR BOATERS TO GATHER )T HAS VENDING
THAN WHAT SEPARATES THEM )N 0UERTO 2ICO THEY TRAVEL
MACHINES TABLES AND CHAIRS "UT ) PUT FUN PIRATE AS WELL
TOGETHER 4HEY MINGLE -Y CLIENTS ARE ALSO %UROPEAN
AS ECOLOGICALLY EDUCATIONAL POSTERS ON THE WALLS 7EVE
!USTRALIAN !FRICAN AND .ORTH !MERICANv
GOT TO REACH THE CHILDREN )F WE CAN EDUCATE THE CHILDREN
,OCATED A MINUTE WALK FROM THE SCUBA SHOP BAKERY THERE IS HOPE THAT RECYCLING WILL TAKE OFFv
MARKET WITH BUTCHER AND TWO CHANDLERIES MANY 3UNBAY
-Y LAST QUESTION WAS ABOUT COLD WATER SHOWERS
PATRONS RENT A CAR FOR PART OF THEIR STAY TO MEET THEIR OTHER h)S THAT ALSO PART OF YOUR CONSERVATIONECOLOGY
NEEDS /UR BEST RESTAURANT FIND WAS %L 0ASION DE &OGON
MINDED PRACTICE v
0ASSION FOR 3TONE /VEN #OOKING TWO MILES NORTH
3HE CHUCKLED h.O .O WE PLAN TO PUT SOLAR PANELS
4HE ENTRANCE TO 3UNBAY -ARINA IS CLEARLY MARKED AND
ON EACH OF THE RESTROOMSHOWER BUILDINGS THAT WILL HEAT
EASILY ACCESSED )F YOURE IN &AJARDO ONLY NEEDING FUEL
THE WATER )T IS IN OUR MASTER PLAN 7E DEFINITELY PLAN TO
THEIR DOCK IS EASY INOUT 7IDER THAN AVERAGE CHANNEL
ADD THATv
SPACE AND FINGER DOCKS MAKES ARRIVING AND DEPARTING
)N A "LIP
SLIPS OPTIMUM
0UERTO $EL 2EY #OMPREHENSIVE 2ESORTLIKE %XCELLENT
&IRST TIME WE ARRIVED A BLOND CRUISER HELPED BRING
(AULOUT 3OUND (URRICANE 3TORAGE
US IN AND THEN h0ARTY HERE ON THE DOCK AT 0- AS
)SLETA -ARINA 3OLID (AULOUT &RIENDLY .EARBY
SHE POINTED TO HER RIGHT (OPE YOU CAN MAKE ITv 'ET
!NCHORAGE ,OW 7EEK 0RICING
TOGETHERS AND BUMPING INTO FELLOW CRUISERS IS STANDARD
3UNBAY -ARINA 3ERVICE /RIENTED -ODERN "OUTIQUE
AT 3UNBAY
7ELL -ANAGED
*IM (UTCHINS KNOWS WHAT HE LIKES ABOUT 3UNBAY h)
LIKE THE GREAT WATER PRESSURE FROM THE HOSES AND IT IS
EXCELLENT FOR DRINKING ) LIKE THE RELIABLE 7I&I AT OUR SLIPv
h)T HAS BEEN WONDERFUL HERE /LGA IS AMAZINGv
$EBORAH A CATAMARAN PATRON SHARED
&IVE DOCKS HOUSE SLIPS %ACH DOCK HAS ITS OWN
SHOWERRESTROOM AND GARBAGE BUILDING !MENITIES INCLUDE
THE 0IRATES #OVE ROOM FOR GATHERING &ROZEN TREATS AND
LIMITED STAPLES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE FUELING DOCK ,IKE
)SLETA -ARINA NO ONSITE !4-
3UNBAY IS A 33#! 3EVEN 3EAS #RUISING !SSOCIATION
(OST 3TATION 9ACHTSMEN STAYING IN )SLETA OR ON ANCHOR
ARE WELCOME
/LGA SHARES h/UR GREATEST CHALLENGE IS ECOLOGICAL
GETTING CUSTOMERS TO USE RECYCLING TO THINK ABOUT HOW
THEY ARE AFFECTING THE ENVIRONMENT 4HEY ARE GOOD ABOUT
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,ATITUDES !TTITUDES