Cuba

Cuba offers one of the Caribbean’s longest and most varied cruising coastlines, with large areas of remote cays, shallow banks, and limited development.

Cruising here is defined by formal clearance procedures, restricted movement, and reliance on official ports and marinas. Boats should be largely self-sufficient, as obtaining food, fuel, and boat spares can be very difficult. For sailors prepared to plan carefully and operate independently, Cuba provides access to sparsely visited cruising grounds unlike those anywhere else in the region.

U.S. citizens should be aware that additional travel regulations apply when visiting Cuba, and it’s sensible to confirm current requirements before travelling.

Havana is a major draw for visiting sailors, offering a dense mix of art, music, and everyday street life. Galleries and murals are woven into daily life, and classic cars remain a working part of the city’s transport, giving Havana its unmistakable character.

West of the city, the streets of Fusterlandia form an open-air art district built around colorful mosaics and sculptures. It’s just a short walk for crews staying at Marina Hemingway, and a popular stop when exploring the surrounding neighborhoods.

In western Cuba, Viñales Valley is a common inland excursion. Visitors often stay with local families in one of the town’s many guest houses and visit tobacco farms where traditional methods are still used to grow and process leaves for Cuba’s famous cigars.

Along the south coast, cruising sailors are drawn to both the historic city of Cienfuegos, an elegant waterfront town with neoclassical streets and plazas, and Trinidad, a well-preserved colonial city known for its cobblestone streets, colorful houses, and lively plazas.

Places to stay

Below are the most popular and highly rated places to stay, based on feedback from the noforeignland community:

Anchorages

	Cayo Campo	4.8 ★	Review summary: Anchoring at Cayo Campo offers excellent holding in sandy depths, receiving positive feedback on shelter during strong winds. Visitors mention friendly interactions with rangers and memorable island tours, making the spot appealing for those looking for a welcoming atmosphere.
	Cayo Cuervo	4.7 ★	Review summary: Anchoring at Cayo Cuervo offers good protection from winds and features reliable holding in mud, sand, and clay conditions. The anchorage is noted for its scenic beaches and opportunities to explore by dinghy. It provides a calm environment even during gusty weather.
	Canal De Los Barcos	4.7 ★	Review summary: Anchoring in Canal De Los Barcos provides excellent protection, making it a favored spot. Visitors enjoy calm waters and have opportunities to exchange goods with friendly fishermen. This location remains highly regarded for its peaceful and secure anchorage experiences.
	Chivirico	4.3 ★	Review summary: Anchoring in Chivirico is primarily used for secure sheltering as indicated by multiple Reviews. While the entrance is well-protected and mud bottom offers good anchoring, visitors should be aware of procedural limits on going ashore without proper clearance. Precise navigation is necessary.
	Cayo Granada	4.3 ★	Review summary: Anchoring at Cayo Granada benefits from excellent holding in thick mud, as noted in most Reviews. While snorkeling visibility is low, two wrecks provide habitat for many fish. Visitors find the reefs to be easily located during low tide, enhancing the experience.
	Marea del Portillo	4.3 ★	Review summary: Set in a large, well-protected bay, Marea del Portillo offers a dream-like anchorage experience with a mud bottom at depths of 3 to 5 meters behind mangroves. Visitors appreciate the friendly interactions with local residents and the clean clearance process handled by kind border guards.
	Marlin Marina Anchorage	3.9 ★	Review summary: Anchorage conditions can get choppy with wind shifts, holding remains strong. Checking in is straightforward, and staff offer good support. However, visitors face noise disturbances due to loud local clubs, mainly on weekends, potentially impacting overnight stay comfort.
	Cabo Cruz	3.8 ★	Review summary: Anchoring in Cabo Cruz is made easier by the presence of lit buoys and sand-bottom holding. Visitors experience calm and clear water, enhancing the stay. Customs procedures are handled efficiently at the anchorage, but visitors are generally not allowed ashore.
	Cayo Zaza Afuera	3.8 ★	Review summary: Anchoring in Cayo Zaza Afuera is frequently characterized by secure holding in sand and grass. The area is predominantly used for technical stops. With ample protection from the North-East and East, it is an optimal choice when seeking a well-sheltered location.

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Marinas

	Cayo Largo	4.1 ★	Review summary: Anchoring or staying at Cayo Largo's Marina involves friendly staff and various formalities managed on board. Electricity and water are typically included with docking fees. Mosquito presence is frequently reported and can affect the experience, especially for longer stays in certain seasons.
	Marina Marlin Cienfuegos	3.8 ★	Review summary: The marina provides safe mooring options, with staff noted for their friendliness and helpfulness. Access to the marina is straightforward, and the officials efficiently handle check-in and out processes. Visitors may encounter occasional water and electricity shortages during their stay.
	Marina Marlin Punta Gorda	3.5 ★	Review summary: Stopping at Marina Marlin Punta Gorda can be a mixed experience with issues varying from poor water pressure to procedural complexities. However, many reviews highlight the friendliness and efficiency of the staff despite electrical and fuel payment challenges that require cash payments.
	Marina Hemingway	3.0 ★	Review summary: Staying at Marina Hemingway offers access to Havana, with transportation options including taxis, buses, and local transport. Visitors often find the marina's staff helpful. Currency exchange in the city may offer better rates than those near the marina. Cash remains preferred for transactions.

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Harbours

Marina Los Morros

3.3 ★

Review summary: Situated with good protection against strong easterly winds, this marina benefits from helpful and friendly staff. The welcoming atmosphere from the Cuban staff members enhances the overall experience. However, select mooring locations carefully due to variable shelter conditions depending on the wind direction.

Boatyards and services

Below are the most popular and highly rated boat services, based on feedback from the noforeignland community:

This table summarizes first-hand reviews from sailors who have checked in to Cuba.

The north coast of Cuba is influenced by the Gulf Stream, which can affect sea state and currents. Along the south coast, extensive shallows and sandbars shape navigation and anchorage choices.

Chart coverage varies by area, and some cruisers report supplementing charts with satellite imagery when operating in less-frequented regions.

While Cuba experiences fewer hurricanes than some regions, most cruisers opt to leave during the off-season. Those choosing to stay should investigate options in established marinas like Marina Hemingway or Puerto de Vita.

• Best times of year to sail here: November to April
• Most common type of shore power: 220V 60Hz
• Cost for provisioning: Cheap, but very limited availability
• Currency: Cuban Peso (CUP)
• Personal security: Generally safe, but exercise caution in urban areas
• Emergency phone numbers:
  • Police: 106
• International dialing code: +53
• Time zone(s): UTC -5

Cuba’s maritime history begins with its Indigenous Taíno inhabitants, who navigated the island’s coasts and surrounding waters long before European arrival. Their use of canoes and coastal routes established early maritime networks that supported trade and fishing across the region.

Following Christopher Columbus’s arrival in 1492, Cuba became a central hub within Spanish maritime routes linking the Americas to Europe. Its deep natural harbors, particularly Havana, played a strategic role in protecting and assembling treasure fleets, leading to the construction of extensive fortifications and naval infrastructure that still define many ports today.

In the mid-20th century, political change after the 1959 Cuban Revolution led to long-term isolation from much of the Western maritime economy. Trade restrictions and embargoes significantly reduced foreign commercial traffic and limited access to imported goods, reshaping port operations and supply chains. These constraints remain visible today and directly affect visiting yachts, particularly in terms of provisioning, spare parts availability, and reliance on state-run marinas and formal clearance procedures.

Despite these limitations, Cuba’s coastline remains largely undeveloped compared with much of the Caribbean. For visiting sailors, this results in access to historically rich ports and extensive cruising grounds that reflect both the island’s colonial maritime legacy and its modern isolation.