Cruising Cuba

[monkeyfeet]

Hi

We are a Canadian sailboat that will be on route to Cuba. Looking for any information from anyone who has been there or has lots of info. We are having problems getting information as we are in the U.S. right now and there is nothing on Cuba here due to US govn't.

Do you have to stay in Marinas or can you anchor out?

Good spots?

Any information would be valuable.

Thank so much

[Rez]

Cuba put moorings in achorages all around the island, to avoid damage to coral by our anchors. Yes you can definitely "anchor out" there are numerous small fishing villages, and some not so small where supplies can be got. Cuban Govt. and citizens are glad for cash income. These days I expect canadian dollars would be particularly welcome due to their increase in value.

[monkeyfeet]

Rez,

Thank you for the information, good to know as we did not want to be marina bound.

thanks

[Rez]

Try this site: SailingCuba.com.

[Rez]

Monkey feet - just went to Sailing cuba from my bookmarks and someone else has gotten hold of the name. Ridiculous site. Sorry.

[squarehead]

We're interested in the same sail as you Monkey Feet only I'd like to know from Mexico to Cuba to the Florida Keys.

Sorta like your sail plan only in reverse

S.Q.

[GordMay]

Did you mean < the perfect .com / forsailing in cuba/ >
Information & links for boating and sailing in Cuba
Sail Cuba sailing in Cuba information.

[bmartinsen]

Check-out www. cubacruising . net (without the spaces)

[Hud3]

Originally Posted by monkeyfeet

We are a Canadian sailboat that will be on route to Cuba. Looking for any information from anyone who has been there or has lots of info...

Hi, Monkeyfeet.

Here's a message from another Canadian which was very recently posted on another board. They departed from Boot Key Harbor, and were intercepted by a USCG patrol boat.

Friends of ours were stopped and boarded in the middle of the night in the Old Bahamas Channel, off the north shore of Cuba while passage-making from St Thomas to Ft Lauderdale. Same tactics by the intercepting boat--no running lights, no radio comms, bright spotlight. It was the Royal Bahamas Defense Force, looking for drug smugglers.

Lots of surveillance surrounding Cuba!


Hola amigos y amigas

Starsinger is alongside in Veradero, Cuba after a lumpy crossing of the
Gulf stream from Boot Key Harbour to Veradero.

The basic facilities are substantial though deteriorated and not up to the
standards of North American marinas, but the prices are also much lower.
The people are very kind and extremely friendly and generous with what
little they have.

There are 100 slips with only 19 boats. For the next four months our
dockage with water and electricity and very very good security, is
$1022.00.

We are on our way further south but will linger in Cuba for a while to
enjoy the people and the beutiful country. On our return we will visit
the keys north east of Veradero before heading SW to Cabo San Antonio.
Once we reach the cape we will decide whether to head across to Isla
Mujeres or along the southern shore of Cuba.

The big magic is that we are Canadian and our boat is Canadian registered. That did not prevent the US from forbidding us to go to Cuba or from approaching us at three in the morning in international waters and demanding that we identify ourselves, our vessel, our port of departure and our distination. All this in a heaving Gulf Stream, six to eight foot waves, and under a blinding search light.

On approach I didn´t know what I had we were better than forty miles off
the shore of the US.

The officer on board the US Coast Guard cutter indicated that he was
concerned for our safety, for which concern I thaked him but indicated
that we were just fine and were headed for Veradero, Cuba. We were
shadowed for another hlaf hour or so then their running lights were turned
out again.

On the Cuban side we called at the twelve mile mark but received no reply.
We continued to call to the Guarda Costa and Marina Darsena at intervals
until we were within a mile of shore when we received a reply from the
Guarda Costa and shortly thereafter from the Marina manager Julio.

We were very kindly received, everyone wating for the arrival of the
Mediacl Officer, a local doctor beiofe any contact was made or anyone was
allowed of the vessel.

we were then visited by a representative of the Ministry of Agriculture, a
vetrniary inspector and the Coast Guard themselves.

Later Customs took our passports for about a half hour then returned them
via the Marina manager. the entire process took some time but that was
primarily due to a problem with the Doctors transportation to the Marina.

We must check in and out with Customs when we leave the Marina but this is
a very relaxed formality. The Marina is guarded twenty four seven by a
half dozen SEPSA guards and only Cubanos with clearance are allowed on the
docks.

The Cuban people have been very kind and generous considering how little
they have.

As I said previously we are considering an extended cruise of the southern
shore over the next year.

I will be returning to Canada on Saturday and am secure in the knowledge
taht the boat will be safe until my return. A cruiser on the dock,
Canadian also, will look after running the bilge occasionally and a Cuban
captian is available to look after more technical issues.

I have not locked the boat nor installed the drop boards since we arrived
a week ago, no need.

Cheers

Mel IP 27 80 Starsinger
meljstewart#knet.ca

[pedro del rio]

Hello everyone,

The website with information about cruising cuba is www.cruisingcuba.net. As far as anchoring, there is a tendency for officials to herd you toward a marina in harbors where they exist. These marinas are operated by a subsidary of the Cuban military. There is also a tendency to discourage cruisers from remaining at those harbors (and there are many) that don't have marinas.

Peter Swanson

[AnchorageGuy]

Have a look at our experiences at
Voyages of Sea Trek: Our Soundings Cuba Article
Just click on the individual pages to enlarge it.