Red Frog Marina is the IGY-operated resort marina on the sheltered south side of Isla Bastimentos in Bocas del Toro, 5 km from Bocas Town. It is the only marina in Panama's Caribbean built for superyachts: 95 slips including 12 megayacht berths up to 300 ft (91 m) and 20 ft (6 m) draft, with fuel, shore power to 200 A, customs and canal-agent services and a beach resort behind the docks. It is hurricane-free and quiet.
Quick facts
| Coast | Caribbean (Bocas del Toro) |
|---|---|
| Location | Isla Bastimentos, 5 km from Bocas Town |
| Slips | 95, incl. 12 megayacht berths |
| Max LOA / draft | 300 ft / 20 ft |
| Fuel | Yes, Mon–Fri 7–16 |
| Yard | No; 60 t yard near Almirante |
| Liveaboard | Long-term stays welcome |
| Website | igymarinas.com |
Location and access
The marina is at about 9°20.2'N, 82°10.8'W on the southern, leeward side of Isla Bastimentos, facing the inner lagoon rather than the open Caribbean, so the famous Red Frog surf beach is a short walk over the island and the docks stay flat. IGY says the site is 5 km from Bocas Town; the resort runs a boat shuttle to town that takes around 10 minutes (CruisersWiki). There are no cars on Bastimentos beyond resort golf carts.
Call VHF 68 before entry for a berth assignment. Tidal range in the lagoon is small (CruisersWiki quotes under 18 inches), and the marina advertises 20 ft (6 m) of draft and no beam restriction. Office hours are Monday to Friday 9:00–17:00 and Saturday 9:00–12:00; the on-site Port Captain works Monday to Friday 7:00–15:00 and is closed on weekends and holidays, which matters if you plan to clear in on arrival. Check-in is at 14:00 and check-out at 13:00.
From Panama City, fly Albrook to Bocas (Isla Colón) and take the marina shuttle or a water taxi across the lagoon.
Slips and who it suits
IGY lists 95 slips in total, of which 12 are megayacht berths, with a maximum length of 300 ft (91.4 m). Shore power is offered at 30 A, 50 A, 100 A single-phase, 100 A three-phase, 200 A and hardwire, which is a superyacht-grade pedestal list no other marina on this coast matches. Docks have 24-hour gated security.
- Superyachts and large motor yachts waiting out the Caribbean hurricane season somewhere outside the belt, or positioning for a Pacific canal transit.
- Owners who want resort facilities: private beach access, restaurants, a beach club with pool, golf-cart rental and villas on the property.
- Cruising yachts that value security, power and a fuel dock over the bars of Bocas Town; the shuttle gets you there when you want it.
Because it is a resort, expect resort pricing and resort rules. Compare Bocas Marina and Marina Carenero before you decide.
Fuel, yard and services
Fuel: the marina has a fuel station open Monday to Friday 7:00–16:00, with weekend fuelling on request or reservation. IGY does not publish fuel types or prices online; ask for a quote by volume if you are bunkering a large yacht.
Services: customs and immigration assistance, canal agent services, provisioning, and vessel repairs and maintenance arranged through the marina. There is a ship's chandlery, guest laundry, private shower house, Wi-Fi and concierge services for hotels, flights and tours.
Yard: there is no Travelift at Red Frog. For a haul-out the nearest option is Bocas Yacht Services near Almirante on the mainland, which Noonsite lists at up to 60 tons; anything bigger goes east to Linton Bay (160 t) or Shelter Bay (100 t), or to the Pacific side after a transit.
Charter pickup, clearance and rules
Red Frog is a resort marina, so guest changeovers are routine for private yachts; for commercial charters confirm the marina's terms with the dockmaster, and make sure the operator holds Autoridad de Turismo de Panamá (ATP) registration and the vessel and crew are in order with the Autoridad Marítima de Panamá (AMP).
IGY's page quotes the Panamanian customs clearance at approximately US$215, cash only, plus US$185 if a cruising permit is needed. Treat those as indicative; the agencies set the fees, not the marina, so confirm the current cruising permit and clearance costs with the AMP office or your agent. See arrival and clearance. Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park, run by the Ministerio de Ambiente (MiAmbiente), covers much of the island's north shore and the Zapatilla cays; anchoring and visiting rules apply there.
Costs and how to contact the marina
IGY does not publish dockage rates on the Red Frog web page; it links to separate tariff documents. Request a quote with your LOA, beam, draft and dates, and ask about seasonal and long-term rates, metered power and water, and the 7% ITBMS tax. As a rough benchmark, IGY resort marinas price well above cruiser marinas like Bocas or Carenero.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Phone (Panama) | +507 6726-4500 |
| Phone (US) | +1 281-892-1637 |
| VHF | Channel 68 |
| Contact | Marina manager / reservations via the IGY contact form |
| Website | igymarinas.com (Red Frog Beach Island Marina) |
| Max LOA / draft | 300 ft / 20 ft |
Nearby waters
Red Frog sits in the middle of the Bocas del Toro lagoon. Bocas Town and Bocas Marina are a few miles west across the water; Isla Carenero and Isla Solarte lie between. East are the Zapatilla cays and the marine park; south-east the long, empty Laguna de Chiriquí. Depths inside are moderate and the lagoon is flat in most weather, but afternoon squalls and lightning are a feature of the wet season (roughly May to November), and the north coast of Bastimentos takes winter swell. The archipelago is about 130 miles from the canal entrance (PredictWind), an overnight passage along a coast with few stops; see cruising grounds.
Your practical starting checklist
- Request a quote through IGY with LOA, beam, draft, power needs and dates; superyachts should ask for the megayacht berth list.
- Confirm pedestal amperage and voltage for your boat and whether a hardwire connection is needed.
- Plan arrival for a weekday if you need the on-site Port Captain (Mon–Fri 7:00–15:00) for clearance.
- Call VHF 68 before entering for a berth and line handlers.
- Book fuel ahead for weekends, when the fuel station opens on request only.
- Arrange the town shuttle schedule and any provisioning with the concierge.
Frequently asked questions
How big a yacht can Red Frog Marina take?
Up to 300 ft (91.4 m) and 20 ft (6 m) draft, with no beam restriction and 12 dedicated megayacht berths.
Is Red Frog Marina hurricane-safe?
Yes. Bocas del Toro and the rest of Panama lie south of the hurricane belt; IGY markets the marina as being in hurricane-free islands.
Does Red Frog have a fuel dock?
Yes, open Monday to Friday 7:00–16:00 and on request at weekends.
Can I clear into Panama at Red Frog?
The marina offers customs and immigration assistance and has an on-site Port Captain on weekdays. Fees are set by the agencies; confirm current amounts.
How do I get from Red Frog to Bocas Town?
By the marina or resort boat shuttle, about 10 minutes, or a water taxi.
The next question to answer
Every marina, anchorage and yard that matters, both coasts. Read Marinas in Panama.
The in-town marina on Isla Colón, up to 120 ft. Read Bocas Marina.
Small, quiet marina on Isla Carenero with published rates. Read Marina Carenero.
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.
- IGY Marinas: Red Frog Beach Island Marina ↗
- CruisersWiki: Red Frog Marina ↗
- PredictWind: marinas in Bocas del Toro Province ↗
- Noonsite: Bocas del Toro docking ↗