Reported by Addison Chan on Cuba Land & Sea Facebook Page – 11 January 2018

It looks like the markers for the channel leading into Marina Gaviota have taken a beating.

Every mark from G1 to R8 is either damaged or missing. The first red marker is R10 there is no sign of R2-R8. The first undamaged green is G11. The bases of G3 and G5 remain on the station but they are difficult to see in good light. In a choppy sea or at night they would be invisible. There is a temporary floating can at the approximate location of G7.

The good news is that although the markers are missing the depths remain mostly unaffected and the controlling depth in excess of 5m with the exception of the curving stretch between where R2 was located and the floating temporary G7 where the controlling depth is now 3.6m

If you are using the latest Navionics charts my recommendation is to use the position of the charted markers as a steering reference and maintain a sharp bow watch. Other chart users should exercise an above average level of caution.

Once you have passed the two fixed pole buoys at R14, G15 the remaining markers and depths into the marina channel are in place and charted depths are accurate.

Posted on Sailing & Cruising Cuba Facebook Page:

I left Varadero a few days ago on the back of Matthew and SAILED to Puerto Vita and then halfway to Ocean World, DR before having to motor!!!

Here are a few price updates for anyone interested – they are bang up to date and based on my boat which is a 40′ cat:

Haul and launch in Varadero – 750 cups (very professional and safe)
Long term storage on the hard Varadero- 180 cups/month

New in water dockage rate Marina Gaviota- 41 cups/day Inc power & water
Diesel – 1 cup/litre

Excellent mechanic (removed, rebuilt and refitted both my Volvo Penta engines!) – 12 cups/hr

Dockage or anchorage at Puerto Vita (you have to pay either way) – 20 cups/day
Fuel is available – 1 cups/litre

Until further notice, the only Marina in Varadero is Marina Gaviota on the extreme northeast end of the Hicacos Peninsula. Marina Puerto sol Darsena de Varadero is closed to International Arrivals.