Ocean Reef Marina is the private, superyacht-oriented marina in the basin between the two artificial Ocean Reef Islands off Punta Pacífica, in the middle of Panama City's high-rise waterfront. The marina's own site lists more than 150 slips for yachts up to 60 m (200 ft), a fuel dock, 24-hour staff and a yacht club. It is built for the islands' residents and for large yachts that want city-centre security; it is not a cruiser anchorage or a public charter dock.
Quick facts
| Coast | Pacific (eastern Bahía de Panamá) |
|---|---|
| Location | Between the Ocean Reef Islands, Punta Pacífica, Panama City |
| Slips | 150+ (marina site) |
| Max LOA | 60 m / 200 ft; depth not published |
| Fuel | Yes: fuel dock (diesel and gasoline listed) |
| Yard | No Travelift; drive-on lift for small boats only |
| Charter pickup | No public pickup; private, resident and member access |
| Contact | +507 394-2896 · [email protected] |
Location and access
Ocean Reef Islands are two man-made islands off the Punta Pacífica district on the eastern side of Panama City's bay, joined to the mainland by a single bridge. The marina is the protected basin between them. The developer, Grupo Los Pueblos, built the project with US marina designers SmithGroupJJR; press coverage from 2012 described a 200-berth plan for yachts to 90 m with floating docks engineered for six metres of tidal range. The marina as it operates today lists 150+ slips and a 60 m maximum.
By land you reach it through the Punta Pacífica neighbourhood, close to the Hospital Punta Pacífica and the Multiplaza mall, about 10 minutes from the main business district and roughly 30 to 40 minutes from Tocumen (PTY). Access across the bridge is controlled; expect to be on a list.
By sea you come in from Bahía de Panamá. The approach is across the shallow eastern side of the bay, where the tide range is 4 to 6 m and depths over the flats are small at low water. The marina does not publish approach or dock depths. Call ahead for the channel and tide advice; do not try to arrive at low water springs without it.
Slips and who it suits
Ocean Reef is a residential marina with a yacht club at its centre. Its site lists more than 150 slips, floating docks with power and services, slips for sale and for rent, a slip-reservation page for guests, a drive-on boat lift for smaller boats, heliport reservations, a restaurant, wellness centre and water-sports centre. Dockwa's listing describes resident boats from about 40 ft to 160 ft.
Who it suits:
- Owners of larger motor yachts and sportfishers who live in or near Punta Pacífica and want gated, 24-hour security a few minutes from home.
- Superyachts visiting Panama City for a canal transit, crew change or refit planning, when the owner wants a city-centre address rather than Amador.
- Buyers of a slip as property, since slips are sold as well as rented.
Who it does not suit: cruisers on a budget, boats that want a yard on site, and tour operators who need public parking and walk-up guests. The project's own marketing describes a yacht club that "controls exclusive access to the docks" as an amenity for residents. Visiting rules for non-resident yachts are not published; treat access as by arrangement and confirm with the marina.
Fuel, yard and services
The marina advertises an "advanced fuel dock"; Dockwa lists diesel and gasoline. Services listed on the marina's pages and directory profiles include floating docks with power and water, a drive-on boat lift, 24-hour staff and security, Wi-Fi, laundry, showers, ice, a ship store and a restaurant. There is no Travelift or hard-standing yard listed. For haul-out, bottom paint or a survey you move the boat to Flamenco's yard on Amador or to Vista Mar an hour west. See Panama City marinas and boat storage compared.
Security is the main selling point: a single bridge, gatehouse, cameras and staff around the clock, in a part of the city where owners already live. Mobile mechanics and detailers work on boats in the marina by arrangement with the office.
Charter pickup and rules
Ocean Reef is not a public charter base. The marina promotes sailing, sport fishing and private events for members and residents, but there is no walk-up dock, no public parking and access across the bridge is controlled. A charter operator with a client who lives on the islands can usually arrange a pickup through the owner and the marina office; a general tour pickup is not what the marina is for. If your business plan depends on collecting the public from a dock, base it at Flamenco or La Playita.
For any yacht using the marina, the normal Panama rules apply: the boat is registered or has a valid foreign registration, the Autoridad Marítima de Panamá (AMP) cruising permit is current for a foreign yacht, and the Servicio Nacional Aeronaval (SENAN) may check documents on the water. Clearance into Panama is not done at Ocean Reef; arriving yachts clear at Balboa through the AMP port captain, Migración and Aduanas. See arrival and clearance.
Costs and how to contact
Ocean Reef does not publish rates. Slips are offered for sale and for rent through the marina's realty and "slips for rent" pages, and guest reservations go through a reservation request. Expect pricing well above Amador for comparable length, plus power, water and club charges; ask for a written quote and for the club or membership terms that apply to a non-resident. Dockwa lists check-in after 13:00 and check-out before 11:00 for guest slips.
- Phone: +507 394-2896 (marina site); +507 207-8888 also published.
- Email: [email protected]; [email protected].
- Web: oceanreefmarina.com.pa.
How slip contracts, deposits and liability usually work in Panama is covered in marinas and docking for owners.
Nearby waters
Out of the basin you are in the eastern Bahía de Panamá. The water east and north of the islands is shallow and tidal, with the Cinta Costera and the old Club de Yates y Pesca breakwater to the north-west. Isla Taboga is about 12 nautical miles to the south-west and Las Perlas about 35 to 40 nautical miles to the south-east, which makes Ocean Reef a sensible base for weekend runs to Contadora and the Pearl Islands. The canal's Pacific entrance and the Amador marinas are a 20- to 30-minute run west across the bay. Read the Panama Bay boating guide for the tide and traffic picture.
Your practical starting checklist
- Email [email protected] with LOA, beam, draft, dates and whether you want a guest slip, a rental or a purchase.
- Ask for the written rate, the club or membership terms for a non-resident, and the approach channel and tide advice.
- Give the names of everyone who will cross the bridge so the gate has them on the list.
- Arrive on a rising tide in daylight, on the channel the marina gives you.
- If arriving from abroad, complete AMP, Migración and Aduanas clearance at Balboa first.
Frequently asked questions
Can a visiting yacht use Ocean Reef Marina?
The marina has a guest slip reservation process and slips for rent, but it is a private residential marina and does not publish visiting rules. Ask by email and expect access to be by arrangement.
How big a yacht can Ocean Reef take?
The marina lists more than 150 slips for yachts up to 60 m (200 ft). Approach and dock depth are not published; confirm for anything with a deep draft, because the eastern bay is shallow at low water.
Is there fuel at Ocean Reef?
Yes. The marina advertises a fuel dock, and directory listings show diesel and gasoline.
Is there a boatyard at Ocean Reef?
No Travelift or hard-standing is listed, only a drive-on lift for small boats. Haul-outs are done at Flamenco on Amador or at Vista Mar in San Carlos.
Can I run charters from Ocean Reef Marina?
Not as a public pickup point. Access is controlled for residents and members. Charter businesses in Panama City base themselves at Flamenco or La Playita on the Amador Causeway.
The next question to answer
Every marina, anchorage and yard that matters, both coasts. Read Marinas in Panama.
Panama City's full-service marina with fuel dock and Travelift. Read Flamenco Marina.
The members' fishing club on Avenida Balboa, a short run west. Read Club de Yates y Pesca de Panamá.
Official resources
Use the relevant Panamanian authority for current requirements and fees. These resources are the next place to check; a practical recommendation is not an agency determination.
- Ocean Reef Marina (official site) ↗
- Dockwa: Ocean Reef Marina Panama and Yacht Club ↗
- SuperyachtNews: Luxury marina in development in Panama City (2012) ↗