Explore: Cienfuegos
General Info
COVID-19: OPEN PORT
- This international marina opened to foreign boats on 19 October, 2020.
- See Biosecurity for full details.
Description:
Lying on the southern coast of the island, the town of Cienfuegos is some 1.5 miles inland from the port. You can either walk there in 20 minutes, take a bicycle taxi or horse-drawn carriage. The town centre is beautifully restored with lots of colonial buildings.
This is a good place for exploring more of Cuba overland as there are three car hire companies within walking distance of the port, and it is just a 3-hour drive to Havana.
Entrance Notes and Cautions:
Deep buoyed channel. The tide runs strongly through the entrance channel. It is worth waiting for the flood/ebb before entering/leaving the Bahia de Cienfuegos.
There is only one designated anchorage off the marina.
Position:
22°07’.50 N, 80°27’.20 W.
Clearance
See Cuba Formalities for detailed information on clearing into and out of Cuba.
Yachts can anchor off the marina, dinghy ashore and complete paperwork quickly and efficiently. All offices, immigration, customs, dock, and harbour master, are present.
Last updated: August 2020
Docking
Anchoring:
Yachts may only anchor in the designated area to the west of the marina and may only land at the marina. Good holding, but exposed to wind and tide. It’s possible to get internet at anchor.
The cost of anchoring is $.30/ft, charged by the marina.
When going ashore, dinghies can be left on the beach inside the Marina fenced perimeter, which is secure, or at a rather wobbly dinghy dock. The anchoring fee includes use of the marina bathroom facilities (which are basic) and has a security patrol through the anchored boats at night.
Marina
The marina here is open to transient boats but is very small and active with four charter companies operating there. Generally, a berth can be found during the week, Monday to Friday (and perhaps at weekends too, although this is when the charter companies turn around) – best to call the marina in advance to check for space.
The Yacht Club is used exclusively by charter boats and is closed to transient vessels.
A short walk from the marina is the place where everybody goes out in the evening and there is music playing here. In addition, right next to the marina and Anchorage is the Cienfuegos Club which plays very loud music at night, making it difficult to sleep.
Security
Whilst marina staff do make security patrols of the pontoons and anchorage day and night, there have unfortunately been incidents of theft around the marina and anchored yachts (last report February 2022 when snorkelling gear was stolen from an unlocked cockpit locker while the owners were absent). As with everywhere, secure your valuables. Be sure to lift and lock your dinghy at night, secure your outboard and carry a minimum amount of gas in your dinghy tank.
Photos courtesy of Mary Buchanan who visited Cienfuegos in 2015.
Last updated: February 2022
Related Businesses
Marlin Marina Cienfuegos
Address: Calle 35 s/n, e/. 6 y 8, Punta Gorda, Cienfuegos, Cuba,
Water and electricity (110 and 220) are included in the price (check which you are hooked up to), although don't always work. Basic toilets and... Read More
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