Cuba: Harbours, bridges and formalities for sailors
47 harbours
Cuba: 47 harbours, clearing in, papers and fees. Plan your trip with weather, tides and route.
Formalities
outside the EU customs unionCurrency: Cuban peso; cards issued in the USA do not work, bring cash in euros or US dollars
Clearing in: Independent state, outside the EU and Schengen. Only seven ports of entry, all with a marina: Marina Hemingway (Havana), Varadero (Marina Gaviota), Cienfuegos (Marina Marlin), Santiago de Cuba, Cayo Largo, Puerto de Vita and Los Morros (Cabo San Antonio). Enter flying the yellow flag and the courtesy flag and call in on VHF; the border authority (Guarda Frontera) comes aboard, together with immigration, customs and health, with a search. For every passage between two places a sailing permit (despacho) from the Guarda Frontera with the route; ashore only in marinas or with permission, Cuban citizens may not come aboard. Fill in the online D'Viajeros form for every person beforehand. Satellite phones and drones are prohibited. Boats under the US flag need authorisation from the US authorities.
Ausreise: Clear out at a port of entry before departure (port clearance): the next state asks for the certificate on clearing in.
Documents: Passport valid for six months, and tourist card (Tarjeta del Turista) or e-visa, 30 days, extendable; travel health insurance compulsory. Boat papers, crew list, insurance.
Fees: Clearance and despacho for a fee, amounts vary by port; berthing fees in the marina. Tourist card around 25 to 100 USD depending on where you get it.
Fairway: Buoyage follows IALA system B: red to starboard when entering from seaward, the reverse of Europe. The north coast has reefs and cays, the south coast large shallows (Gulf of Batabanó, Jardines de la Reina); buoyage is patchy. Traffic separation off Cabo San Antonio, off Punta Maisí and in the Old Bahama Channel.
Nature: Nationalparks Jardines de la Reina and Guanahacabibes: Zugang nur mit Genehmigung, Fischen verboten.
Tropical storm season: 1 June to 30 November, peak August to October. Marina Hemingway and Cienfuegos count as better sheltered than the open roadsteads. Insurers usually restrict cover: check your policy.
Emergency: Police 106, ambulance 104, fire brigade 105; Guarda Frontera on VHF channel 16.
Sources: Ocean Posse: Cuba, Noonsite: Cuba, Ministerio de Transporte: D'Viajeros, Auswärtiges Amt: Cuba, travel and safety advice (as of 2026-10-20)
Harbours by cruising area
Cuba: Isla de la Juventud and Cayo Largo
Cuba: north coast (Cayo Santa María, Cayo Coco, Cayo Guillermo)
- Carahatas
- La Panchita
- Marina Gaviota Bautista
- Marina Las Brujas
- Marina Marlin Cayo Guillermo
- Marinas & Náutica Marlin Isabela
- Paredón pesca
- Playa El Uvero
- Playa Jinaguayabo
- Playa Piñón
- Puerto Deportivo
Cuba: northeast (Nuevitas, Gibara, Puerto de Vita, Baracoa)
Cuba: northwest (Havana, Marina Hemingway, Varadero)
- Almendares
- Base de Pesca Varadero
- Base Náutica de Puerto Escondido
- Club Nautico Internacional Hemingway de La Habana
- Dársena
- Guanímar
- Marina Chapelín
- Marina Gaviota Varadero
- Marina Hemingway (Barlovento)
- Marina Tarará
- Playa del Cajío
- Playa El Salto
- Santa Cruz del Norte
Cuba: south coast (Cienfuegos, Trinidad, Jardines de la Reina)
- Base de Pesca Deportiva Casilda
- Marina Júcaro
- Marlin Marina Trinidad
- pescacabagan
- Playa Florida
- Santa Cruz del Sur
- Tunas de Zaza
Cuba: southeast (Manzanillo, Santiago de Cuba)
Cuba: west (Cabo San Antonio, María la Gorda, Cayo Levisa)
Frequently asked questions
Cuba: Do I need to clear in?
Independent state, outside the EU and Schengen. Only seven ports of entry, all with a marina: Marina Hemingway (Havana), Varadero (Marina Gaviota), Cienfuegos (Marina Marlin), Santiago de Cuba, Cayo Largo, Puerto de Vita and Los Morros (Cabo San Antonio). Enter flying the yellow flag and the courtesy flag and call in on VHF; the border authority (Guarda Frontera) comes aboard, together with immigration, customs and health, with a search. For every passage between two places a sailing permit (despacho) from the Guarda Frontera with the route; ashore only in marinas or with permission, Cuban citizens may not come aboard. Fill in the online D'Viajeros form for every person beforehand. Satellite phones and drones are prohibited. Boats under the US flag need authorisation from the US authorities.
Cuba: Which documents do I need on board?
Passport valid for six months, and tourist card (Tarjeta del Turista) or e-visa, 30 days, extendable; travel health insurance compulsory. Boat papers, crew list, insurance.
Cuba: What fees apply?
Clearance and despacho for a fee, amounts vary by port; berthing fees in the marina. Tourist card around 25 to 100 USD depending on where you get it.
Cuba: What is the emergency number at sea?
Police 106, ambulance 104, fire brigade 105; Guarda Frontera on VHF channel 16.
Cuba: How many harbours does Sailseer cover?
Sailseer covers 47 harbours with harbour info, weather and route planning.