Reported May 24th on Cuba Land & Sea Facebook Group:

We are currently in Cienfuegos and are sadly reporting that a dinghy raised on the davits at night on a Catamaran at anchor was cut away.

The dinghy was not locked but found the next day with its 15hp outboard missing.

We stopped locking our dinghy in Grand Cayman after a month there and it was stolen. Just a reminder to lock and lock your dinghy.

Posted on Cuba, Land & Sea Facebook page:
After a 3-month cruise starting in Varadero, counterclockwise to Cayo Largo on the south shore then returning to Hemingway, I thought about sending out a few tips.

Water is good at Hemingway and Varadero, and ok at Cabo San Antonio, after that it’s a long way to Cienfuegos for drinking water. Cayo Largo does not have potable water, but you can buy bottles to use…
Diesel at all Marinas was good.

On the north coast a stop at Cayo Levisa is recommended, safe anchorages with a beautiful beach in the north.. the small resort has an internet cafe, bar and restaurant. Guardia was friendly.

The south coast has many more beaches to explore, Cayo Juan Garcia, Punta Frances, Cayo Campos (Monkey Island!) and Cayo Largo to name a few.
Going ashore on the south coast at remote stops is no problem, on the north coast at La Esperanza, we could not land and go ashore as the guide books suggest..

Contrary to the text here, US companies are now allowed to write vessel insurance for Cuba. Pantaenius is one, and IMIS Insurance services is another source.

Useful Information for US Cruisers wanting to visit Cuba – by Addison Chan of Cuba, Land & Sea Facebook Group:

There are three US Departments that need to be satisfied before you can go to Cuba in a private vessel. If you are going by air the rules are different and much easier to follow.

Firstly you need to have a license from the Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Asset Control. To obtain the license you need to qualify under one of 12 categories of licenses. Since September 21, 2015, you no longer have to apply and be granted a license prior to travel.

You are now permitted to self-declare under which of the 12 categories you qualify, with the caveat that you must retain justifying documents, receipts, itineraries etc. for up to 5 years for examination if challenged.

Secondly, if you are planning on taking your vessel into Cuban waters for a period greater than 14 days then you must apply for an export permit from the Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security. If you are planning on spending 14 days or less then the export permit requirement is waived by BIS, provided you qualify under one of the 12 OFAC license categories.

Finally, you need to obtain permission to enter Cuban waters from the Department of Homeland Security. The permission is administered by the United States Coast Guard and is commonly known as the form of CG3300.

Despite the involvement of 3 government departments, if your intention is to remain in Cuba for 14 days or less, the only document that you must have physically in your possession prior to travelling to Cuba is the CG 3300.

Note: Apply well in advance of your intended departure date – it can take 3-4 weeks to get this document processed and returned to you.

Useful information re. Insurance for Cuba – from Sailing and Cruising Cuba Facebook Page:

We are travelling to Havana in February aboard our Tayana 42. I have finally found some references who are willing to underwrite for a smaller boat
Kevin Severance Insurance
281-333-3100
Rachel Sloan
International Marine Insurance Services (IMIS)
410-827-3757
Ingrid Anglin
Smith Merritt Insurance, Inc.
954-784-1807

Hi all. Things keep changing in Cuba, so I’m replying to lots of outdated info and old posts.

As of May, when I was last there, Cuba had 8 ports of entry and two ports of exit-only. Entry/exit = Hemingway, Chaplin (Varadero), Darsena (Varadero), Vita, Santiago, Cienfuegos, Cayo Largo and Los Morros (Cabo San Antonio). Exit only ports = Baracoa and Coco-Guillermo.

Nueva Gerona is prohibited to private craft, but you can take a bus from El Colony (Siguanea) in the southwest corner of La Isla.

Sue and Cruisers Network are correct that a license from Treasury is not sufficient to take a private US-flagged vessel to Cuba. It also requires the BOAT to obtain permission from Commerce (through the link above). It does NOT replace the OFAC license, which is what the AMERICANS on board still need.

As far as marine parts go, facilities are limited. There is an abundant supply of well-trained marine diesel mechanics and electricians. And don’t underestimate the ability of Cubans to fabricate necessary parts. Parts can be shipped duty-free to Grand Cayman, as well.

If you approach Guantanamo, you will receive an escort out of the prohibited area by the US Coast Guard.

I disagree with the above note about yachting being in its infancy. Cubans are not allowed to own boats over about 10 feet long. Cienfuegos is a charter centre with three companies doing a very good business, but not with Cubans. There’s hope, though. Cienfuegos also has a sailing school and Cuban kids are out in optimists every afternoon.

I have never heard that sailing against the wind (counterclockwise, above) was a good way to cruise Cuba. While there are countercurrents and the Gulf Stream to take into consideration, life is usually better downwind (clockwise).

As far as Cuban law goes, you CAN fly out of the country and leave your boat, AFTER you pay your marina bill in advance, up to the date you intend to return. Otherwise, it can be declared “abandoned” and confiscated. I would not rely on someone’s word. In my experience of Cuba, there is always paperwork if it’s legit.

I believe that you can land a dinghy on any of the cayos that is not in a prohibited zone. Certainly, that is true in the south, where there are hundreds of empty cayos and inviting beaches. Otherwise, it’s still true that you cannot land a dinghy apart from a marina, where Customs and the Coast Guard can keep an eye on them.

Finally, good news. Non-US-flagged vessels can request US visas and permission for the boat at the US Embassy in Havana.

I’ve heard that a visa card is now required to enter Cuba. We are South African and British. Is this true and if so must one be obtained before arrival? We will be sailing from St. Martin on our way to the States. Many thanks!

FYI, as always, if you have questions, you can contact me directly at northchannelsailing@gmail.com

I suggest you contact the Commodore of Marina Hemingway – Jose Miguel Diaz Escrich – yachtclub[at]cnih[dot]mh[dot]tur[dot]cu. He speaks English and can advise on security etc. There’s no restriction on how long you can leave a boat in Cuba, so if the flights are reasonable it is probably a good option.

The above information regarding pets is incorrect. Provided you enter with the dog’s rabies’ form, and a certificate of good health within the past five days (ask the vet to not date it), you will have no problems bringing your pet to Cuba.

There is NO quarantine and no requirement for a permit in advance from the Filosanitario. You can tie to a dock. Where do people get this misinformation from anyhow? If you have further questions about Cuba, please contact me directly at northchannelsailing@gmail.com

Baracoa is no longer a port of entry, but can still be visited once clearance has been done elsewhere.

There are a small marina and a coast guard station, but it is not an official port of entry.
Frank Virgintino