Hemingway Marina (Havana) - Clearance
See Cuba Formalities for detailed information on clearing into and out of Cuba.
Most visiting yachts try and enter at the large Hemingway Marina as the officials are used to dealing with foreign boats and are friendly and efficient. They speak good English.
Note: It doesn’t appear possible for those arriving by sea to use the online (advance travel from) check in process as this requires a flight number.
On Arrival:
The Marina monitors VHF Ch. 16 and 77 (US boats should switch to international frequencies to get full power). It has been reported that it’s best to wait until you are fairly close to the Marina before calling them on VHF Ch. 16 as the Harbourmaster who answers and can speak English, operates with a hand-held VHF. Using the correct VHF procedure will assist with a better understanding.
If you receive an answer, you may be asked:
- Last port of Call
- How many people on board
- Have you been to this marina before
You will be given precise instructions and it helps if you write these down and read them back to the marina.
If you don’t receive an answer, don’t worry, it’s highly likely the authorities are aware you are coming and will be ready to receive you.
General Clearance:
The Clearance Dock is built on an island which forms part of the entrance channel into the marina. It is located just past the flag poles (but you can also stop anywhere along the seawall). Put your fenders at least 1 foot higher on your vessel than normal, rigged on the port side. You will need a bowline, a stern line and at least one breast spring line.
Clearance formalities are completed at the Customs dock after which a yacht is assigned a place in the marina. Officials will deal with everything on arrival, issuing visas and entry documents for the vessel. Passports will not be stamped and more than likely you will not be asked for a Zarpe – particularly if coming from a US port and you will not be able to get one from US officials.
Once in the marina, a visit to the dockmaster’s office is necessary to check-in.
International Clearance:
All crew will have to go ashore to the Customs/Immigration office to have their photo taken.
Notes:
- Any satellite phones onboard will be wrapped up in plastic and taped and not permitted for use during your stay in Cuba.
- Certain officials and marina personnel are known for asking for “gifts” or US dollars.
- Payments for the marina and its services must be made in US dollars with a credit card.
Departure:
Visit the Dockmaster’s office to arrange exit papers and pay fees on check out.
Last updated: February 2023
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Related to following destinations: Cuba, Hemingway Marina (Havana)
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From Cuba Land & Sea Facebook Page:
Hazard warning for canal #1 in Marina Hemingway ⚠️
If avoidable don’t use the turning basin at the bottom of canal #1.
There is a sunken sailboat lying on its side at the height of the rent-a-car place with its mast towards the channel centre – marked with a white fender. When passing, keeping to starboard you should be ok.
There is an abandoned ketch moored on the other side.
Berthing tip from Cruising Cuba Facebook page:
To be closest to the marina store, showers and laundry ask for the north side of canal #2 or the south side of canal #1. If its really busy or if you request it the marina will also put vessels on the south side of canal #2, which means either a very long walk to the facilities or you can launch your dinghy to cross the canal.
Update posted on Sailing and Cruising Cuba Facebook page:
A little update from Marina Hemingway. Quite a number of improvements were made for the Hemingway Billfishing competition. Firstly they moved all the abandoned boats out of channel 2, making more berths available.
In conjunction 6 new power/ water torrents were installed on the east side of C2 and the whole west side of C1 now also has water and electricity. Capacity has so been increased by nearly 50 slips.
There now is a new bus service available to cruisers, they don’t want us to use the hotel bus anymore, that takes you for 1cuc from the marina to “Playa” from where you can then get the double-decker tourist bus to Old Havana for 5cuc. Both are hop-on-hop-off and tickets are valid all day.
There now is wifi available at the Acuario Hotel, half hour for 2.50 cup and 1 hr for 4.50 cup, the day I tested it worked very good …
As far as entertainment is concerned the popular Friday night BBQ at the Yacht Club is still on and a good deal for 5 cups. For late night parties, the Cova now opens nightly as a discotheque from 10 pm. Sun-Thurs entrance is free, Fri & Sat its 3cuc … busier during the week.